Alistair

Love wins again.

I'm surprised how Gladstone actually gave up on his mate so quickly. I thought he would at least persist a little more. I guess people can really surprise you both positively and negatively, though if anyone could win any battle it's my momma.

However, that battle was lost from the beginning as my mate would say. He had so many odds stacked against him, it's not even remotely close to what Ben had to face when he courted me, for example.

Mainly, I was unattached, a bit lonely and could be swayed. That's not momma's reality and she wasn't about to drop her partner of ten years.

Even if he did abandon us back at camp last year. But he returned and paid his dues. We all know how that went.

I guess love can really conquer anything.

No complaints here, I love my mate so much it's staggering to me why would I ever reject him in the first place. But I guess that doesn't count for this particular argument.

Anyway, best of luck to Mr. Gladstone. I never really rooted for him to begin with. Don't tell anyone I said that, but I prefer pappa for her. Something about the devil you know and him being the father of my siblings who are thriving now that they go to school regularly and are exposed to other children their own age.

We are pack animals after all. And I for one love my new found pack family, though I still love my core family most of all. As one would. But family seems to be growing in trees around these parts now that even my grandparents from my mother's side have shown up.

Mark and Laura have never been so pampered in their whole lives.

That's without taking into account Luna Alicia absolutely loves them and caters to them especially whenever she can. She has even ordered special meals for them, being growing kids and all.

The kitchen staff was not very pleased at first, but no one could say no to her. She's a very persuasive woman and the head of the household, which means everyone that works here - excluding warriors - answer to her.

In other news, Joe has been thriving working at the Houser farm. In a short amount of time, he's become a household name for any construction related issues in any of their farms.

He's not making that much money because it's been only a few months, but he even managed to squeeze in a job for his partner Sophia who now works for them too.

Tristan continues hard at training with Gladstone as my mate trains with Delta Johnson. He has only one more month until the try outs, so Gladstone is working him to the bone lately.

Or he might be working off his frustrations, whatever. Goddess knows I'm happy my mate doesn't train with him anymore and I don't train at all. At least, not with any of the warriors.

But come next June, I will start learning the Luna business with Ben's mom. I actually look forward to that, she has always been so nice to me, I'm sure I'm gonna have a great time.

Gabriel also continues strong working at the Houser farm as pappa works for my grandfather. Momma is getting the hang of her job at the shop and is making her way trying for more responsibility there, but it's a slow process.

I'm just glad every member of my extended family is making progress in this pack and growing roots here. This really touches my heart in ways I can't even describe.

The Houser scholarship recipient has sent his (late) college applications to all around the state. Christian managed to get letters of recommendation from several of our teachers, plus his admission essay made people weep.

Elodie and I have done the same, but we don't have the same high scores he does. Still, fingers crossed. I don't mind if I go to community college, as long as I can continue on studying.

The pack house is crawling with sophomore students from Sasha's class. It's her birthday party tonight and she looks as pretty as ever for her 15th.

Ben and I are sitting at a table inside the ballroom with our friends and their mates. Even Zach came, which is a nice surprise. I know Lisa is happy to have his mate here.

Of course, Tristan and Evan are not here because the 'posh' couple is away having dinner with the Wilkins tonight. Good for him. After Lex got valedictorian, the relationship between them only deteriorated further if that's even possible.

"So Zach, when do you return from college officially? I mean, are you coming to Lisa's graduation ceremony?" - I asked him in a louder tone with the music troubling our senses.

"Yes, I'm coming to her graduation ceremony. I wouldn't miss it for the world! But I'm not done with college until early June, then it's all about my girl." - He replied, kissing his mate next to him who smiled widely.

"It's all about Beta training with her mother, did you mean?" - Ben interjected with a knowing glance. Lisa frowned at this, but he's not wrong. It is what it is.

"Yes, Alpha. It's all about the Babcocks." - Zach snickered, not letting it get to him.

By the way, Lisa is the only one of us who hasn't completed the bond yet. She doesn't want to do it until her mate returns for the summer because once you complete the bond, the absence from your mate hurts way worse.

Right now she's just happy to have him by her side. And I love seeing her happy. She deserves it, especially after Chris was mated away from her.

"I know it's not the same as your famous parties, but it's actually kinda nice here, despite the loud music." - Ben commented to Teddy, who's sitting next to Lex.

"It's even better than my parties. This way I don't have to babysit anyone and worry about property damage. I can just relax and have a non-alcoholic drink." - He snickered, contently.

"Are you okay, Lena?" - I asked my cousin, who's whispering in her mate's ear.

"I'm great. I got into all the colleges I've applied for. Now all I have to do is to choose one and pray Chris gets accepted to that as well." - She said, anxiously.

"I don't care if our colleges are not the same. Nothing's gonna keep me away from you, mate." - Chris stared deep into her eyes as he said that and I felt every word he enunciated.

"Damn! The scholarship kid doesn't play around!" - I exclaimed, impressed by him.

"I still can't believe you got the Houser scholarship. My sister must be fuming!" - Zach snickered, considering his sister was among the candidates vying for it.

"I can't believe it either, so that makes two of us." - Chris said, humbly.

"My baby deserved it. Lex is lucky he's out of contention for valedictorian." - Lena bragged, to which the other omega snarled.

"Don't try me, bitch! Leave my valedictorian alone! Let me have it!" - He said, annoyed at her.

"You're gonna give a great speech, Lex, I'm sure. Congratulations." - Chris smiled at him, who melted.

"Thanks, Chris. And I'm glad you got the scholarship. I'm sure everything will be alright with your college choice." - Lex surrendered to the blond polite boy.

Mr. and Mrs. Livingstone stopped the music to celebrate their daughter and have her cut the cake. Afterwards, we had a great time enjoying ourselves as the night went on.

Honestly, it feels great to be happy with my mate and friends. Now that we're all mated, we get to relax and appreciate it even more. There's nobody feeling left out or in the sideways. No one is hurting or alone.

Though the birthday girl is also enjoying her time with a boy from her class. I see you, Sasha. Good for you, girl. There's still a long time for you to be mated and hormones wait for no teenager.

Speaking of hormones, after we went back into our (Ben's) room, my mate treated me to a nice time privately. I certainly enjoyed myself plenty. I love my mate and our relationship never felt so stronger.

We are better together.

On Sunday, Ben drove me to the stores to buy some clothes for the summer and make the most of my Bruno money. Goddess only knows how long that'll last with a new baby on the way for him.

I also bought myself a (new) laptop because I don't have one and I need some computer skills. Also, I deserve one too instead of always using Ben's.

During dinner, I told momma all about my afternoon spending money and she was happy for me. But when I went to hug her goodnight, I felt a tremor.

"Momma, are you alright?" - I asked her as we said goodbye before we went to our respective rooms. They are located in separate wings of the manner since Ben's is on the Alpha side.

"I'm fine, son. It's just this silly bond giving me the shakes. It's fine. I'm used to it." - She downplayed it, dismissively.

"Okay, good night then." - I said, not feeling very convinced.

I'm starting to think momma is much more affected by the mate bond that she leads on. I'm guessing it's taking a toll on her and it's showing, even if she doesn't want to acknowledge it.

I commented it over with Ben back in our room and he agreed the mate bond is nothing to be taken lightly but only she can know what's good for her.

On Monday morning, we're all having breakfast together in the guest dining hall. Momma looks fine, but she's very good at acting tough.

"Are you sure you're alright, momma? You don't look so good." - I asked her, fearfully.

"I'm great, Ali. Stop badgering me, I'm fine." - She rebuked, irritated.

"Excuse me for caring about my momma." - I shot back, rolling my eyes.

"You're sweating like you're about to go in season." - I told her, worriedly.

"I'm not an omega, last time I checked. But thank you for your concern." - She dismissed it.

"I'll make you some tea before you go to work, Martha." - Sarah said, looking concerned for her as well.

"Thank you, Sarah. But I don't think there's a tea powerful enough to sever the mate bond. No disrespect to you." - Momma smirked.

"I know, but I'll make you one just the same." - She insisted, sounding troubled.

I left for school worried for my momma, though I don't think she's strictly speaking ill, I know how denying the bond can affect you. Especially after this much time had passed.

Some time later, momma arrived at the training center.

All the warriors were surprised by her presence over there. She showed up so unexpectedly that even Bruno got spooked. Yes, he was there. He is a warrior too.

"Are you looking for me? Did something happen to Ali?" - He questioned her, sounding concerned.

"No, I'm not. Ali is fine, he went to school not long ago." - She replied, looking over his shoulder trying to find...

"Oh I see. You're here because of your mate." - He smirked at her.

It is as if momma could see him thinking: even she is not above the mate bond.

"You can stop smirking now, Bruno. I'm already on edge, you don't wanna see me mad." - She threatened him. He knows all too well what happens when she's mad.

"By all means, he's in the locker room. He should leave at any moment now." - Bruno said, making way for her to come in.

Momma walked inside the center, ignoring the surprised looks on most of the warriors present. When she came closer to where the male locker room is located, a very shocked Gladstone appeared out of it.

"What are you doing here? I didn't do anything, I swear!" - He said, frightfully.

"It's this fucking mate bond punishing me over and over again. I can't sleep, I can't breathe without your fucking head popping up on my brain. It's fucking torture!" - She complained, sounding physically and emotionally drained.

"I'm sorry for your troubles. Just so you know, it's not a walk in the park for me either! I'm suffering just the same as if I were the one who rejected you, not the other way around." - He sounded and looked sincere, vulnerable.

"I know. I'm not saying you're to blame. Though if you had found me twenty years ago, we wouldn't be having this conversation." - She snapped at him.

"Trust me, I wish I did too. But when I got there, you had already left and I had no reason to pursue you. I didn't know you were my mate, I just assumed my dream got it wrong." - He explained, sincerely.

Both of them took a massive inhale of each other's scents.

"Anyway, I'm sorry to disturb you at your work. I just had to take at least a scent of you, otherwise I'd go crazy." - She humbled herself, emotionally.

"Thank you for coming. And I'm sorry again for everything. I didn't ask to be mated to a taken woman any more than you asked to be mated to me." - He smiled at her.

"I'm not taken, I'm committed. There's a difference." - She sassed him.

"Well, good for you. Stop by anytime as long as you don't get me arrested." - He snickered.

"Thanks." - She rolled her eyes, then started walking out of the place.

Some warriors are giggling at seeing her there as if it was a sign of surrender.

Momma glared at them, who got uncomfortable at her deathly stare.

"If you have time to gossip about my mate, then you have time for wolf war." - Gladstone shouted at his subordinates, who all gasped in shock at this.

Momma smiled contently at their demise.

I'm sure this is taking a huge toll on her and whatever she needs to do to survive, she should do it. At least he was humble about it, instead of bragging or boasting.

I guess he's suffering as hard as her.

Poor momma, I feel so bad for you.

I wish I could say it's gonna be okay now, but I know better.

It'll only get worse from here. I'm deeply sorry, but the Goddess doesn't play to lose. She'll drag your heart around until you surrender. There's no higher power for us werewolves. I wish I was wrong, but I'm not.

Now it's only a question of time.

I saw it in a movie recently with Christian's doppelganger: "It's like Vegas, the house always wins."

But I wish you could beat the odds, I really do. I love you, momma.🥰

https://youtu.be/H5i7j0VhEHw

A|N: You didn't think it was gonna be that easy, did you?

No, girl! No one is above Selene (Moon Goddess).

Not even Martha Young, but she did put up a good fight. Respect.

Oh Ali, don't look at me like that. *swoons*

PS: In case you're curious about the quote, the film is "Catch me if you can" with DiCaprio.

Next is 'MOTHER'. Prepare for tears.

Love,

Léo.