Chapter 24 Mommy’s Mate
“Not quite yet. The doctor suggested staying at Bluemoon Pack’s hospital for another half month. If the follow–up checks come back clear, then we’re good to go.”
Michael nodded thoughtfully.
His eyes lingered on Lily’s face, as if he couldn’t get enough of the sight, tracing her features with a look of sorrow and longing.
Lily reached out and took his watch–bearing hand, gently undoing the clasp, revealing the ugly scar underneath.
It felt as though he was exposing his most hideous side to her, and Michael was filled with a sudden fear. He wanted to pull his hand back, but Lily held it firmly, her gaze intense and scalding.
“Why did you do this?”
“Because I hate myself,” Michael admitted softly. “If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have suffered so much all these years.”
Lily smiled faintly and released his hand.
“Michael, I don’t hate you,” she said earnestly. “The things I did during those five years weren’t entirely about seeking your forgiveness–I was grieved for Jessica.
“Yes, from your standpoint, I deserve to die. The thing I should have done is stay with Jessica that day, rather than surviving alone. But do you know, when I was lying on the operating table, moments from death, I saw Jessica. She stood beside me, holding my hand as we crossed a wide river.
“When the water reached my waist, then my chest, I didn’t struggle. I trusted Jessica wouldn’t harm me, wouldn’t hate me. And when we reached the other side, she looked at me with frustration and said, ‘Why did you come so early? You promised to live well for both of us.
That dream eight years ago was the best one Lily ever had. In it, she was guided by her best friend from youth, crossing the boundary between life and death, finding hope again.
Jessica had been such a kind and gentle girl. Lily knew that if she had been the one to die that day, Jessica wouldn’t have blamed her, just as she hadn’t blamed Jessica.
Tears streamned down Lily’s face as she wiped them away. She looked at Michael, who was also weeping silently, and said, “So you see? I’m not living just for myself now. I’m living for Jessica, for Cici, and for Louis. Michael, do you think Jessica would want to see you die?
“I forgive you. Live on She nodded gently. “Goodbye, Michael,”
Louis’s fists clenched and relaxed as he watched Lily return, her eyes red. He almost got out of the car to confront Michael.
Lily noticed how impulsive he could be despite his mature appearance. She sighed, “You’ve already beaten him a few times. He is, after all, the Alpha of Bluemoon Pack. Without his permission, we wouldn’t have been able to have the surgery here.”
Louis pouted, dissatisfied. “Why are you defending him? Who’s your mate here?”
“You, of course, Lily said, looking at his profile with amusement. “Who else would it be?”
“It’s me!” Cici raised her hand. “I’m Mommy’s mate?
Clearly, she didn’t yet understand the true meaning of the word. Louis picked her up and gave her a playful squeeze, growling, “No, it’s me! It has always been me. You want to be her mate? Impossible!”
“Cici is my precious little girl,” Lily said with a loving smile. “Being a mate is a tough job. Let’s leave that to Uncle Louis.”
“Okay!TM
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Chapter 24 Mommy’s Mate
“Cici should be starting preschool soon, Louis said as he drove. “Shall we look for one when spring arrives!”
Lily nodded with some resignation. “Let’s wait until we get back to Southlands.”
10 Free Co
Even birds that endure the cold long for spring. Southlands, warm and familiar, was the place where Lily’s heart longed to return. Having grown up in the south, she had only stayed here because of meeting Michael at the Werewolf Alliance training
camp.
Given the chance, she wouldn’t stay here any longer.
Six months later.
“Lily, you have to come,” Lucy pleaded. “I barely have any friends. If you don’t come, I won’t even fill a table!”
Lily, playing with Cici and her watercolor paints, couldn’t help but laugh. “How can that be? You must have plenty of friends”
“Don’t mind her,” Louis said, exasperated, fishing a block out of Cici’s mouth. Cici just stuck her tongue out at him. “Lily, do you want to go?”
Yes, it’s your cousin after all.”
“Aunt Lucy!” Cici quickly grabbed the phone, shouting excitedly. “You have a mate now! Who is it?”
Lucy still couldn’t believe she had ended up with a gossip–loving man like Sam as her mate, but Cici’s enthusiasm was infectious. “It’s Sam! Little Cici, do you want to come to Bluemoon Pack’s Harvest Festival?”
“Is the Harvest Festival fun?” Cici asked.
“Yes, it’s fun. All the wolves who found their destined mates in the year will dance at the opening ceremony, praying to the Moon Goddess for peace and a bountiful harvest. All wolf cubs can receive the Moon Goddess’s blessings and a healthy Lunar Baptism.
“Then I want to go! Cici said excitedly.
Since Lily’s recovery, they had settled in a common werewolf area in Southlands.
Without an established pack, they didn’t celebrate traditional events like the Harvest Festival.
Lily kissed Cici on the cheek. “Then we’ll go. Cici hasn’t experienced a traditional werewolf event yet. And I’m sure Lucy will be glad to have our blessing.”
