Imelda placed her hand on John's shoulder. "John, I love you like a mother to her son. The last thing I want to do is to hurt you. However, if I accept your father, I will be selfish as it may create more conflict in the future."
"What conflict? Ma, there will be no such thing as that. Believe me!"
Imelda bent her head. "I can't. I can't do it."
"Ma, please …. For me, for Father, for our pack. Please, Ma."
"John, you will understand this once you have a family. I have seen many things before that the second mate can create more rifts than good."
"No, I'm sure our family will be good." John held Imelda's hand and pleaded with her, "Ma, we don't know the future. So worrying over uncertainty is useless, isn't it?"
"You are right …."
"So, will you agree to be Father's mate?"
"I can't."
"Can't or don't want to?" Then John squinted his eyes. "Or do you have someone else you want as your mate?"
