HIDING FROM THE MATEBOND

14. Unraveling

Calista

I left Aerion’s office with my heart pounding in my ears, gripping the notepad tightly in my hand.

Even Lyra was notably quiet as well, shocked as I was.

How had they presumed me dead? It was a cruel joke that I was incharge of the event. I wondered if the memorial was something that happened yearly, or it was just happening for the first time.

The phone on my desk buzzed, interrupting my thoughts. A message from Aerion appeared on the screen:

Contact details for the families attached. Begin preparations ASAP

I opened the attachment, staring at the names. Anna’s family and mine. In the few weeks I had been the pack, I had not run into my family and I had no intention of it happening, but that now seemed unlikely.

I wondered who was even grieving for me. My family barely cared for me, the pack was no different. I only had Daniella.

Oh Moon Goddess! I wondered how she was. I had been so preoccupied that I had not searched for her at all or tried to find out how she was holding up.

Maybe my mother was behind all this. She had never cared about me when I was alive, so why bother with a memorial now?

Lyra growled in the back of my mind.

They chased us, discarded like we meant nothing, and now they want to honor the dead? What a joke.

She was right, but there was no time to dwell on the unfairness of it all.

I took a deep breath and started drafting the emails. I would make follow-up phone calls, but the emails needed to go out first.

First to Anna’s family. I could handle that easily enough. But when it came to drafting the message to my supposed family, my hands froze over the keys. My father’s and stepmother’s emails remained frozen on my computer screen.

How do you write to people who think you’re dead? How do you mourn your own death?

I stared at the screen, the cursor blinking at me impatiently. I could barely focus on the words, let alone string together something appropriate. Instead, I closed the draft and stood up, pacing the small office space.

With one last glance at the blank email, I grabbed my bag and slipped out of the office. It was already lunchtime. I needed a break.

The drive home was a blur, my mind too pre-occupied.

When I got home, Ethan was still on the floor, now stacking his toys in a neat little tower. He looked up as I walked in, grinning widely.

“Mommy!” he chirped, standing up and wobbling over to me with his arms outstretched.

I scooped him up, burying my face in his soft hair. For a moment, everything felt right.

“How’s my little man doing?” I asked, forcing a smile as I set him back down.

“Good!” He beamed, then turned back to his tower of blocks. “Look, I made a castle!”

I knelt beside him, admiring his handiwork, but my mind was still far away. “What’s wrong, Mommy?” Ethan asked suddenly, his innocent eyes searching mine.

I blinked, startled.

“Nothing, sweetie. I’m just thinking,” I said softly, brushing his hair out of his eyes. “Mommy has a lot on her mind today.”

He pouted but didn’t press further, instead going back to his blocks.

Fortunately, he had finished all his snacks and the food that I had left him. I didn't have to wrestle him into eating on top of everything.

I put him to sleep before having my own lunch and heading out. I would deal with Anna's family first, mine would come later.

When I walked back to the office, I started out on the task.

The first name was Anna’s mother, Miriam.

It was strange how life had worked out. I didn’t know much about Anna beyond what little gossip I had overheard back then. She had been quiet, one of those Omegas who kept to themselves. We had never crossed paths but I knew of her.

The phone number Aerion provided was already on my phone when I made the call. I had no idea what I was supposed to say.

After two rings, a soft, tired voice answered.

“Hello?”

“Miriam?” I asked, my voice steady. “This is Arya Black, the new secretary to the Alpha. I’m calling in regard to the memorial service for your daughter, Anna.”

There was a long pause, and I heard her inhale sharply.

“Anna…” Her voice cracked. “I wasn’t expecting the alpha to reach out, not after all this time.”

So it was definitely something new, but why was this happening and why now?

I felt guilty. I was reminding her of an old wound. When people said time heals all wounds, did the same work for loss? Did there ever come a time when you moved on?

“Yes, I’m coordinating the event, and I wanted to discuss the details with you,” I said gently. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

There was another long pause before Miriam spoke again. “Thank you. I just—I wasn’t sure anyone would remember her. It’s been... It’s been so long.”

“I understand,” I replied softly, keeping my tone professional, though my heart ached for her.

Miriam’s voice wavered as she began talking about Anna. I allowed her to, not interrupting. It felt like I was the first person who had asked her about her daughter. She needed an outlet.

I listened intently, jotting down notes, asking questions when appropriate, and letting her guide the conversation. She mentioned how close Anna had been with certain members of the pack, but when the topic shifted to Marcus, my hand froze.

“Marcus was her fated mate,” Miriam said quietly. “Though I’m not sure if he ever truly accepted it.”

My breath caught in my throat. Marcus had a fated mate? Anna? My mind reeled with the new information. No one had ever spoken of Marcus having a mate this whole time. No one had even spoken about Marcus. All I had seen was just Aerion and Rose but nothing else.

“I—I’m sorry to hear that,” I managed, hoping my voice didn’t betray the confusion I felt inside. I had so many questions.

“I always thought he would come around, you know? Anna believed in their bond. But it felt like he was fighting it. He did not completely dismiss Anna, but there was something about their relationship that always felt off.” Miriam continued.

“But after she died… I don’t know. He changed completely. He helped with the burial and never reached out. I think you should try talking to him as well.”

Aerion had not listed Marcus as one of the people I needed to speak to, and I wasn’t going to do it either. I had enough on my plate.

“I’ll make sure her memory is honored,” I promised. That was the best I could do. Anna deserved to be remembered, and I would do everything to make sure the event was successful.

We ended the call and I leaned back in my chair, my mind racing. Anna was Marcus’s fated mate. How had Aerion not mentioned this before?

I stared at the other contact on my list—my own parents. I wasn’t ready for that conversation. Not yet. Dealing with Miriam had been hard enough, but speaking to them was a battle I wasn’t ready to face.