Their Mate And Luna

chapter 12

VANCE

DINNER AT THE ASHTON'S

As my fists pummel the hoisted punching bag in rapid succession, an overwhelming desire surges within me, a need to release the pent-up emotions that have been festering for weeks. Despite my efforts, I struggle to pinpoint the source of this turmoil, a gnawing emptiness that clings to me day by day.

Daily, intense training has become part of my routine since that day. Today, I have spent more time in the personal gym shared with my brother than I usually do.

With each punch, I feel a growing need to release what's been festering within me for weeks. Yet, as I swivel my shoulders left and right, delivering powerful blows to the bag, I can't escape the gnawing emptiness that clings to me.I unleash a loud roar, a volcanic eruption of emotions from deep within.

Gathering my wits, I head for the shower, tossing off my gloves, shoes and clothes along the way. Not minding the trail I am leaving behind me. I take only my phone, placing it on the sink before stepping into the shower to wash off the sweat on me.

I close off the tap when I am done and wrap a large towel around my waist. My phone starts ringing as I walk to a bench in the bathroom. I pick it up to find a message from Billie.

Billie: Dad's asking if you're joining us for dinner tonight. I said yes.

A light chuckle escapes me at her reply. She's shown remarkable boldness in recent weeks, and we've maintained a semblance of stability in our relationship.

I type my response, confirming my attendance. Her reply comes back with a kissing emoji.

Dinner it is, with the Ashtons.

I leave the gym and walk to my room, heading straight for my wardrobe to search for what to wear. Selecting a black jeans and blue t-shirt hirt, I move away and start to dress. The sound of Vince's door opening and closing reaches me. Perhaps, he's heading to the Ashtons. Unlike Billie and I who have agreed to be together, Vince wasn't too keen on having any relationship with her sister, Millie.

Over the past weeks, he's been difficult to read and kept much to himself. Not even the bond we share as twins has been helpful.

I apply the perfume Billie gave me on my inner wrists, armpits and other places on my body. She complained about my natural scent, saying it was too strong for her wolf. Since then I have toned down my natural scent to the barest minimum for the perfume to work.

Downstairs, my parents are engaged in their usual affectionate display. They are fated mates and can't help but to always touch each other.

I close my eyes as the image of Nicole fills my vision. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts.. It's good my wolf has retreated to one corner in my mind since that night. Otherwise, I would have received some more scolding. Now, my damn wolf only emerges during training or when he perceives me to be in danger. Other than that, he remains in his corner, his eyes closed and humming a tune. I didn't know wolves could do that.

"Going somewhere, honey?" My mum asks me, sitting comfortably on her mate's laps. A look of pure happiness and joy on her face.

"Yeah, Millie invited me over to dinner."

She becomes tense for a second before glancing at my dad, who has a similar expression on his face.

What was that?

She turns back to me. "Is it serious? You and her?" She asks in a careful tone.

"Could be," I reply, suddenly wondering why she is asking. She never worried about who Vince and I hooked up with.

They share a look again.

"Is your brother also with her sister?" Dad asks, as if he is holding his breath.

Shrugging. "I don't know, but she seems more into him than he is into her."

"Just be sure of what you're doing, Vance. A mate should complete you. Chosen or fated." Mum chimes in.

"What your mother is saying is that, we want you and your brother to have what we have. There's no hurry in choosing a mate. Your mates haven't come by yet, so don't make hasty decisions." My dad says in a firm voice.

"Sure, dad. Thanks for the advice." I smile at both of them and walk out into the night.

That felt weird coming from my parents. The Ashtons are close friends, more like family, and Dean Ashton is dad's Gamma. I thought they would be ecstatic that I am close to the Billie. Didn't dad even scold Vince for yelling at Millie at dinner the other day?

Why the change? Or has it been there all along, and I never noticed?

At the Ashtons, a maid opens the door and lets me in. Billie comes bumbling over and crashes into me.

"Vince!" She screams in excitement. Her scent chokes me and I manage to hold back a cough as I hug her back. How have I been able to stand her scent. Rather than filling me with a sense of calm, it does the opposite.

"You came just in time," she says pulling away to kiss my lips. Her tongue laps at my lower lip, wanting me to open up but I don't. Pulling back from my face, I see a quick flash of disappointment in her eyes. "Dinner's about to start." She pulls me towards the dining area where her family is already seated.

"Vince," Dean calls out to me, his eyes full of warmth.

"So nice of you to join us," Theresa his wife adds with a very happy smile on her face.

"Thank you for having me," I reply. My parents taught us to always show gratitude whenever we are invited to dine at anyone's table.

"Thank you for blessing us with your presence," Theresa gives me the same happy smile with both her hands on her chest. "It's a pleasure to see that you honoured our invitation." Her eyes dart to her daughters before going back to me.

"It's nothing. You have always been like family to us," I smile back, turning to see Billie looking up at me.

"Shall we eat, woman. Stop boring the future alpha with your words," Dean gives me a mock apologetic smile.

"Oh stop, Dean." She playfully swats his shoulder and starts to dish the food. "Billie, why don't you help to make Vance a plate."

"It's okay I can..." I start to say but Billie cuts me off.

"It's nothing, babe. Let me serve you." She winks at me and then whisper sexily. "My alpha."

"Okay, baby. Serve your alpha." I smirk at her, watching as she picks up the big bowl of mashed potatoes. Only then do I see Millie and notice she hasn't said a word since I came in. Feeling genuinely concerned for her, I ask her, "Are you okay, Millie?"

Her eyes spring up to mine in surprise. That's strange too. Both girls were always feeding off each other's energy. Billie can't be in a good mood while Millie does the opposite.

"I.. I am okay, Vance." She answers in a tiny voice, biting her lips and looking back down at the table

Billie sits back down after serving me and her. "She's sad because Vince didn't accept her invite to join us for dinner." She held her sisters hand in a show of solidarity I guess.

"Oh. I am so sorry to hear that," I offer an apology.

"It's nothing, son. Let's eat. I am sure they'll work things out." Their father says with a wave of his hand.

We all begin to eat. I must say the food was tasty. Billie surprises me when she begins to pay attention to me while eating. Asking if everything was fine and if I needed more wine, water, and food. Filling my glass with water or wine. Adding more food to my plate. Urging me to eat more.

Her boldness has definitely gone a notch higher. I am seeing changes in her. And they seem to be pleasing my heart. She's acting like a Luna would to her mate. Maybe...

My wolf, Axel, snarls aloud in my head.

"Are you okay?" She asks me. She must have noticed me watching her.

"I am okay. Thanks for taking care of me." I say, caressing her cheek softly. Noticing the satisfied looks on her parents' faces, I maintain my smile. "Thank you too for this wonderful dinner."

Dean breathes in deeply, giving a smile. "You're always welcome in our home, Vance. You said it yourself. You're like family and we hope it remains so forever."

I nod as the words slip down into my mind. Though they echo, they're not enough to remove that emptiness that remains latched onto my heart. Even Billie's smiling face isn't been to tug it off.

I rub my chest, where my heart is, as the emptiness spreads.