-Chapter Thirteen-
Bombshell

In the days that passed I had talked with Braxton and worked out that whatever we had planned had basically gone right out the window as he was now attending Ryder in going out of town to deal with any family issues he is going through.

On the upside to Ryder and Braxton being out of town, I got to spend a little more time with Valerie at home.

We chatted about her political science classes and I filled her in on my psych classes and for the first time in a long time I felt like my sister and I had a semi "normal" sister relationship again.

Also on the upside, after talking with Elise the other day, and Braxton away...I didn't feel guilty about just joining the girls for a slumber party and possible spa day...in fact, I was actually looking forward to it now as I knew I was being a shitty friend by not being there for them more.

As the weekend drew near I felt a little bad that I hadn't seen Braxton before he left, of course we talked but I could tell that he felt like I was pushing him away or something, this was definitely something that we needed to discuss as soon as he gets back.

When the night of the sleepover at Elise's place rolled around I had to admit that I was actually happy to just have a relaxing drama free evening for once. It had been a long time since the girls and I had done anything with just the three of us, non-Were related.

"You okay?" Ellie asked me.

I nodded, "I'm just missing Braxton."

"And I'm sure Brax is missing you too, but tonight is about us girls, no boys...but on a quick side note...Brax isn't totally sure when he's suppose to get back and you actually have an appointment on Sunday."

I looked at her with uncertainty. "I do?"

She nodded, "of course you do...I'm taking you to meet my grandmother."

My heart beat nervously, I was nervous, but more than that...I was actually a little hurt.

I really needed my mate for something like this.

"I don't know Ellie, I think I should wait for your cousin to get back."

She shook her head no, "we don't have time for that anymore Harper... did Braxton talk to you about the council?"

I nodded, "He said that I had to get my training by your grandmother."

This time she nodded, "I'm going to assume that my cousin was trying to keep certain parts of their conversation to himself so as not to worry you as well..." She said. "Look, I'm gonna always be real with you, and you're my Luna to be so I think you need to know the WHOLE truth about what went down that night."

I was all ears now.

"The council spoke with my Dad the day after the spoke with Brax as he was the one to drive them to the airport...in short, you're on a time crunch my friend...and I mean it when I say the council aren't use to having things not go there way...if they want your training to start then your training needs to start with or without my cousin here because H, if you don't get everything done in 2 months, they will strip Brax of his Alpha title...and this isn't just a temporary thing like 'we'll take your title until you get it done' no...this is permanent meaning if you don't get everything done in 2months Brax isn't Alpha, you'll never be Luna and any kids you have will no longer be the next in line to become the next Alpha."

Her words rang with heavy information.

"2 months." I said almost robotically.

"So now you have to really ask yourself..." She said, "Are you sure you're ready for all of this, because from here on out there is genuinely no turning back now."

__________

"I can't believe you didn't want to come and hangout with us." Mariah threw in as I finally got to Elise's place for the sleep over.

I sighed " For the hundreth time, it's not that I didn't want to hangout with you both...Braxton is just super posessive with me, especially since I haven't taken his mark yet." I had mumbled that last bit, my own embarrassing confession if you will. I knew my friends wouldn't judge me so to speak, but I had to admit was a little envious of how easy their relationships seemed to be when it came to their respected mates.

Of course Elise expressed her concerns and questioned me on my reasonings...but we were interrupted by a slight sigh.

"I miss Patrick."

I couldn't help but smile.

While I never liked the idea of Patrick dating one of my closest friends I had grown quiet use to the two of them being mates and was genuinely glad that she was undoubtedly happy.

When I do see them together it isn't the same Patrick I knew so long ago...this Patrick is more matured, he's kind and gentle, he's caring and loving with his mate...he smiles constantly now and Mariah's lighted expression mirrors his perfectly...you just see true adoration between the two of them, and I hated that I tried to keep them apart.

Once again Elise spoke up, this time to lightly scold both Mariah and I about missing the guys so much and reminded us that this was suppose to be a girls weekend. Either way I still suggested she just give Patrick a call knowing he was just on a patroling run with some of the other guys in the Elite 30.

"You don't understand..." Mariah said, her voice cracking just a little, her eyes cast downward. "I need to talk to him in person."

It was an odd albeit sudden display of emotions. But it made me think of something Braxton had mentioned once. He told me about certain mates who have such an intense bond that the two can't physically be away from each other for two long...then again, she could physically feel what he was feeling...so maybe she was feeling both her own longing as well as his?

Once again I mentioned just calling him, in the hopes it would ease her mind.

"I can't...It's too important."

I looked over at Elise, we both felt that something was up, something that was seriously weighing heavy on Mariah.

"Nothing can be so important that you can't just say it over the phone." I offered.

She looked up at us a little teary eyed now. "He's busy and won't answer...It wouldn't feel right letting Patrick know he's going to be a  daddy in a voice message."

My heart very well may have stopped right in that moment.

Her words were definitly a shock, so much so that for the first time in my entire life I couldn't think or speak.

But it was in that silent moment between the three of us that she lost it. She began to let every worry out: Her being too young, Her not having a job, Her being a student, Them not being married, Him possibly not wanting the baby. Lastly her feeling like she was in this whole thing alone.

Elise and I did our best to assure her that she was in fact not alone, nor would she ever be. If she thought for one minute Elise and I weren't going to be by her side for this entire thing she was crazy. Even more so we would do everything in our power to make sure she and the baby would never go without or need not only material possessions but love as well.

I was happy for my friend, of course I was also concerned but another emotions began to creep forward...worry. But not for M, instead I was worried how Braxton would take the news?

I knew this was Mariah's big moment and as happy as I am for her. I couldn't help but began to panic slightly as I couldn't help but wonder if this too would become something that Braxton wanted and put even more pressure on me than I already have.

I looked over at my now smiling friend and hated that I was suddenly making this about me. I did my best to shake the thoughts from my head and give Mariah her own moment.

So I put on my best face that everything was fine and went on with the evening, but that night I couldn't help but toss and turn before finally finding sleep.