Remus.
I couldn't sleep. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Rhea's face. The way she looked at me before storming out of the dining hall—hurt, angry. I didn't stand up for her. I should have. But I didn't.
My mother's words kept bouncing around in my head. She didn't think Rhea was strong enough, good enough. I let her say those things without a word. Maybe because, deep down, I was scared she might be right. Rhea was fragile, and I knew it. After last night, I couldn't ignore that fact. But it wasn't just about her being fragile. It was the way I felt about her—something I wasn't ready to admit, even to myself.
I wanted to protect her. I needed to. But there was this fear inside me. What if she didn't trust me? What if she thought I was just like Damien, looking down on her, waiting for her to fail? I hated that thought, but I couldn't shake it.
I could still hear my mother's voice, sharp and cold, and see Rhea's back as she walked away from me. I let her walk away. I didn't stop her, didn't defend her, didn't say anything. What kind of mate does that?
My loyalty has always been to my family, to the pack. That's how I was raised. But now, Rhea is in the picture, and I don't know where my loyalty lies anymore. It feels like I'm being pulled in two directions, and I don't know which side to choose.
I don't want to hurt her, but maybe I already have.
I hear a faint knock on my door and I glanced at the clock. It was past midnight and it made me wonder who could that be. My thought went instantly to Rhea and I instantly get to my feet to check.
She was standing by the door, looking up at me, her eyes filled with worry. It tugged at something inside me, making me stop in my tracks. I frowned, stepping closer to her.
"Rhea, what's wrong?" | asked, my voice low, trying to hide the concern that was creeping up.
She hesitated for a moment, biting her lip before she spoke. "I couldn't sleep."
That simple confession made me ache for her. Without thinking, I pulled her into my arms, wrapping her in a tight hug. I could feel her soft breath against my chest as l held her close. Her body seemed so small, so delicate, and it made me want to protect her even more.
"You're safe with me," I whispered into her hair, not wanting to let go.
Her arms circled around me, and for a moment, the world outside faded. It was just us. Her warmth, her scent.
Something in the air shifted, and when she tilted her head up to look at me, something in her eyes stirred a hunger deep inside.
I couldn't resist it. Our lips met, slowly at first, testing the waters. But then, everything heated up. The kiss grew fiercer, more intense. My hands found her waist, pulling her even closer, while hers tangled in my hair, desperate and eager. The way she kissed me back set my blood on fire.
I didn't want to stop. I couldn't.
Somehow, we stumbled towards the bed, still kissing, still tangled in each other. My hands moved to her shirt, pulling it over her head in one swift motion. Her skin was warm under my touch, sending electricity through me. She was quick to do the same, eagerly pushing off my clothes until we were both stripped naked, hearts racing, breaths mingling.
I laid her down gently, hovering over her as we continued to kiss, our bodies pressed together, the heat between us impossible to ignore. Everything about her drove me wild, and I wanted more-needed more.
••
My mother's eyes were sharp as ever, cutting into me before she even opened her mouth. I could feel the storm brewing the second I stepped into the room. She didn't waste any time.
"Remus, we need to talk about your wife to be, Rhea."
I stiffened. Her tone was laced with disapproval, and I already knew where this was going. "What about her?" I asked, my voice tight.
"She's not fit to be Luna. She's weak, and we both know it. A girl like her will only weaken the pack."
My jaw clenched, and I struggled to keep my temper in check. "You don't know her like I do."
"I know enough," she snapped, stepping closer. "I can see what she's doing to you. She's a distraction, Remus, nothing more. You need someone stronger by your side. Someone like—"
"Don't say it," I warned, but she pressed on.
"Tessa. She was perfect for you. Together, you would have made our pack untouchable."
The mention of Tessa—again—made my blood boil. My fists clenched at my sides as I tried to hold back, but my mother wasn't done.
"She's everything Rhea isn't. Strong, powerful, respected. You threw all of that away for some girl who can't even handle a simple interrogation!"
"That's enough!" My voice came out harsher than I intended, but I couldn't stop it. The anger I'd been holding back surged to the surface. "You have no idea what Rhea is capable of! She's stronger than you think, stronger than you could ever see because you refuse to look beyond your own expectations."
Her eyes widened, but I was just getting started.
"You think Tessa would've made me happy? You think I want someone who's only interested in power? Rhea may not be the Luna you imagined, but she's the one I want by my side. She's not weak, she's real. And she's worth a hundred of Tessa."
The silence that followed in my office was thick, the tension crackling in the air. She stared at me, speechless for once, but I could see her mind working, trying to find some way to twist this in her favor.
"You'll regret this, Remus," she said quietly, a dangerous edge to her voice. "Rhea will never be what this pack needs. And when she fails, don't come crying to me."
I stood my ground, even as her words chilled me. "You're wrong. Rhea is exactly what I need."
My mother narrowed her eyes, but didn't say another word before turning and leaving my office, her silence more ominous than any argument. As she walked away, I felt the weight of what had just happened settle on my shoulders.
For the first time, I realized just how deep my feelings for Rhea ran. And I knew, no matter what my mother did, I would fight for her.
I leaned back in my office chair, feeling the anger still pulsing through my temples. My mother, had crossed a line this time, and the headache she'd given me was just a reminder of that. I knew now that she would stop at nothing to come between me and Rhea. Maybe even drive her out of this pack entirely.
Dante slipped into my office, his eyes flicking back to the door before he closed it behind him. "What was that back there?" he asked, pointing toward the door. His tone carried a mix of concern and curiosity.
I sighed heavily, not really in the mood to rehash what had just happened. "She looked pissed," Dante added, settling into a chair across from me.
"Well, I don't care," I snapped, my frustration boiling over.
Dante's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied me. "You have to do something about it before she does," he warned. I knew exactly what he meant. She wasn't one to back down once she had her sights set on something—or someone.
I glanced at Dante, then looked away, the thoughts spinning in my mind. I had been planning to marry Rhea in five months, give us some time to adjust, to prepare. But that would only give my mother more time to interfere, to find ways to tear us apart.
"She's not going to stop," I muttered, more to myself than to Dante.
"No, she won't," Dante agreed, his voice low. "You know how she is, Alpha."
I did know. She had always been relentless when it came to getting what she wanted. And what she wanted now was for me to end things with Rhea and take Tessa as my mate instead. The thought made my blood boil. Tessa had been my second chance mate after I lost my wife, but she rejected me, mocking me for not being powerful enough to protect her. She even had the nerve to blame me for my wife's death. Since that day, I couldn't stand the sight of her.
"She thinks Tessa's the right choice," I said bitterly. "She doesn't get it, Dante. Tessa's not the one for me. She never was."
Dante nodded, understanding the history that hung between us. "So, what are you going to do?"
"I'm going to marry Rhea," I said firmly. "In two weeks. And on the same day, I'll crown her Luna."
Dante's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Two weeks?"
"Yes, two weeks," I repeated. "I won't give my mother time to interfere. Once Rhea's my wife and the Luna, there's nothing she can do about it."
Dante leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "That's bold. But you know your mother isn't going to take this lying down."
"I know," I admitted. "But it's the only way to protect Rhea. If we wait, she will find a way to drive a wedge between us. I can't let that happen."
The only thing that worried me now was how Rhea would handle living under the same roof as my mother. Deep down, I knew Rhea could be vulnerable and delicate, especially when it came to my mother's sharp tongue. But I would be there for her, every step of the way. I had to be.
"She'll be safe with me," I said, more to convince myself than Dante.
Dante nodded slowly. "Just make sure she knows that."
I stared at the door, thinking about Rhea and the life we were about to start together. It wouldn't be easy, not with my mother in the same pack house. But I'd made my choice, and nothing would change my mind.
Not even my mother.