The Luna: Braver Than We Are

Chapter 17

Adam desperately tried to get his life back on track, this meant being the workaholic he used to be. He tried to explain to himself that he must have been tired and that it was impossible that a human woman had such an effect on him. His wolf disagreed with full force and Adam spent the last days struggling more than ever to keep the wolf in check. Even Chris noticed that something was wrong.

“Just mark Alina,” he said leisurely. “This will calm the wolf down and let you get the pack.” Adam’s wolf sneered with anger and Adam couldn’t blame him. This kind of forced mating didn’t create a true bond or connection, only the artificial force to stay together even if the true mate appeared. It was enough when there was love between the chosen mates, as werewolves could fall in love with someone that wasn’t their mate. But he was sure that there was no chance for him to fall in love with Alina. Not that he wasn’t ready for this kind of sacrifice for Nadia and the pack but he treated it as his last solution. He wasn’t happy with it, he didn’t think it was right to treat a person this way, Alina deserved to get a real life, not to be a pawn in the business dealings of her parents. Maybe with the right person, she would show her other side, that is if she had the other side.

“Go, find yourself something useful to do,” he grunted at Chris. “I’m going to visit my grandparents.”

“As you wish, oh mighty Alpha,” Chris said in a joking tone but he couldn’t hide the fear in his eyes. If they were an old-fashioned pack, Chris wouldn’t stand a chance against Adam or Marius. Adam thought about Marius almost as often as about Viola. He already knew that she was the woman he scared. They started totally wrong way and the more he tried to forget about this incident, the more his wolf forced him to remember.

***

Visiting granny always soothed the wolf, so Adam didn’t bother to enter the main door but chose the back door. But today she wasn’t in the kitchen, in fact, there was no one there at the moment, so Adam went to search for Nadia in her room upstairs. When he got there, William just left her room with a gloomy look on his face.

“Ah, nice to see you,” he said. “Nadia just fell asleep. She isn’t feeling well today.”

“Sorry to hear it.”

“I don’t want to put pressure on you but our time is shrinking,” William grabbed Adam’s arm and led him back downstairs. “As much as I despise it, I can’t leave the pack without Alpha and Luna. I know I’m selfish forcing you to decide so quickly but Nadia was feeling worse day by day and I consulted her state. We should start therapy as soon as possible. You had a mate so you can understand me.”

“Yes, I can,” Adam muttered. He couldn't expect anything else from William. The old man was used to people obeying him, so he forced his will unhesitantly. The fact that he allowed Adam to hesitate instead of forcing him to marry Alina was a sign that William Longclaw loved and respected his grandson. They sat in William’s cabinet and Adam was offered a glass of whisky, which he decided to decline.

“By the way, I was thinking about opening the company to humans,” William changed the topic unexpectedly. “I’d like to create some positions where the humans can be hired. Not the full-time positions for now and not the key positions. Can you think about something? I guess the time has come and you know the company better than I do.” William smiled almost warmly.

Adam almost gasped as his thoughts raced. His wolf yanked in his mind, obviously having an idea that he wanted to verbalize. Adam knew how William worked, if he heard something now, with his mind set on the matter, there would be no turning back. So Adam tried again to fight the wolf and push it to the back of his mind. But they were fighting constantly and Adam was tired. Besides, he could predict what the wolf wanted. Maybe it wasn’t a bad idea at all.

“I heard that Jonathan does well in this little foundation of his,” William continued, unaware of Adam’s struggle. “If he can mingle with humans, so can we. It’s time to make another step. A true step to get rid of this curse. You know, Kiaran Blackfur called me.” Adam frowned, he never liked any of Blackfurs, except Maria.

“Yeah, and what did he say?”

“He told me that he was close to some big thing. A thing that will change our fate and make the cures disappear.”

“He didn’t say what this big thing was?” Adam wanted to end this conversation but he did not want to be impolite to William. The old man was visibly distressed.

“He didn’t but he promised he’ll explain everything he knows when he’ll visit...”

“And when is he going to visit?” Adam interrupted.

“At your marking ceremony, I mean the wedding,” William seemed unfazed. “But anyway, he mentioned that we should show our children the ways of humans so they can get used to it before they are free.” When William said that, Adam felt a pang. It was the wolf trying to break control. The mention of the marking ceremony tipped the scales and Adam let it go knowing he would regret it later.

“First wise decision,” the wolf sneered and made Adam speak out loud.

“Jonathan found a lady that entertains the children in his facility. Maybe we should organize a party for our children and invite them. Just to see how they’ll get along and if everything goes fine, maybe we could hire that lady.” The words came out of Adam’s mouth quickly and the wolf backed immediately.

“That’s a brilliant idea, organize everything,” William’s voice was almost enthusiastic. “Or I’ll better call Jonathan myself and then you two will continue.”

***

“What the f**k was that?” Adam growled innerly when he left the mansion.

“I’m saving your sorry ass and my own sanity,” the wolf sneered.

“I wonder how,” Adam was ready to fight but the wolf decided to remain silent. He was about to break something when his phone rang. For some reason, Adam was sure that it was Jonathan, enthusiastic about the wolf's idea.