I stayed at home for the rest of the day. I was cleaning the house and then cooking for lunch. Ethan helped me too, and we ate together afterward. When he should be back to his pack, I felt it hard to separate from him, but I knew we would meet again tomorrow.
I walked with him to his car and hugged him. “I have missed you.”
“I’m still here.”
I giggled. “You must think how silly your mate is.”
Ethan pinched my nose. “Not at all.”
“Oh?”
“Because I feel the same.”
I hugged his waist and leaned my head on his chest. “I wish you didn’t have to go.”
“Why don’t you come with me?”
I shook my head. “Not now. You know why.”
“I mean not to my pack. But you can stay in my villa. We can be together until Freya returns home. What do you think?”
It was tempting indeed. Imagine that I didn’t need to sleep alone and could see Ethan by my side. But then I shook my head. “Three months are not long. Let’s wait until after our marriage.”
Ethan sighed. “Okay. Though I expected you would say yes.”
I touched his cheek. “Three months will be fast, my love.”
“I’m not so sure.” He hugged me and kissed my forehead. “After last night, I don’t want to be apart from you anymore.”
I raised my head. “I feel the same.”
“Yes, knowing you wanted to leave me since you loved me so much was mind-blowing but frightening.”
“Why?”
“Because you can make a big sacrifice in the name of love. I don’t want to lose you again, my darling.”
I sighed because I was too happy to say anything. I snuggled my head to his chest, but then I smiled. “You must go. Otherwise, you will be stuck here.”
“Yes. See you tomorrow.” He kissed my forehead.
***
The next day, I worked as usual. When I served the visitors who wanted to borrow books, I saw Stacy. She wasn’t as talkative as usual, and her shoulders sagged. Since I was busy, I didn’t have time to ask her. When I had finished taking notes on each book, I searched for Stacy.
“Hey, what happened?”
“Nothing.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded. “I’ll tell you later at lunch.”
Then I returned to the front table since no staff was there. My phone was beeping. It was from my mom. ‘Sweety, can you go to my friend’s house?’ Then my mom sent me her friend’s location. Immediately I replied, ‘Sure, mom. Do you have a sore throat or severe flu until you can’t talk?’
My mom didn’t reply, but after two hours, when I rechecked my phone, there was her reply. ‘Yes. When we meet there, you will know.’
Poor my mom. I hoped she would get better soon. So, I texted her again. ‘No worries, mom. I’ll bring you soup and hot chocolate so you will be better. I love you.’
Then her answer came fast. ‘Thank you, sweetheart. I love you too.’
At lunchtime, Stacy and I went to a small canteen not too far from MPL. After ordering our meals, chicken salads, fish and chips for me, and spaghetti bolognese for Stacy, we sat and ate lunch. I ate fast since I was hungry. Maybe it was because I thought of many things: preparing for my upcoming wedding and then my plan to learn how to be a good Luna.
Stacy only played with her spaghetti.
I stared at her. “Hey, what’s wrong?”
“Red wanted to end our relationship.”
“What?! Why?” It was shocking since I knew how good they were together.
“It was about a different culture, but I don’t get it.” Stacy was about to cry, but she covered it.
I wondered if it was the difference between Red as a werewolf and Stacy as a human. But, I didn’t know how to explain it to Stacy. Besides, I thought it was Red who should tell Stacy himself. “You should talk with Red.”
“I know, but he sounded certain about it. I’m heartbroken, Helena since I love him.” Then Stacy wept.
I patted her back. “All will be well. I don’t know how, but you two will solve this.”
After three or five minutes, Stacy stopped crying. “It’s the first time I cried over a man.” She let out a sigh. “He’s a special man.”
“Is it something to do with what you have done?”
Stacy stared at me for a few seconds until she realized what I meant. “Oh, no, not at all. I have already had sex with some men before. But it’s the first time I’m broken when a man wants to end our relationship.”
I held her hand. “Look, if it’s worth it, I experienced a bad thing last night. I wanted to end my relationship with Ethan.”
“Why?”
“It’s complicated. We talked from heart to heart last night to make the story short. Then I realized I didn’t want to live without him anymore.” I smiled. “He told me today that he felt the same.”
“Wow! It’s amazing! I’m so happy for you. So?”
“So, what?”
“When is the wedding day?”
“Maybe three months from now.”
“It’s fast!”
“Since I have been sure that he’s the one for me, prolonging the waiting won’t make any difference. I love him, and he shares the same feelings.”
Stacy hugged me. “Congratulations!”
“Will you be my bride’s maid?”
“Sure! I’ll be glad to be your bride’s maid.” Then she grinned. “We should shop from now.”
“How about next week? I must visit my mom at her friend’s place today.”
“No problem.”
The rest of the day went as usual. I went to the address my mom had texted me. I bought soup and hot chocolate for her too. When I rang the bell, I read the note on the door. ‘Please come in and wait inside.’ So, I came in and waited in the living room. It was a neat house, though small.
Then a beautiful woman walked into the living room. She was still young.
“Are you my mother’s friend?” I asked.
“Yes, Helena. Your mother is expecting you, but she is not here. She said you would come today.”
“Ah, okay. Where is my mom?”
“She goes to Lord Constantine’s castle.”
I wrinkled my forehead. “Why did my mom go there?”
My mom’s friend shook her head. “I don’t know, but she said we should fetch her after you came.”
“Okay, then. Let’s go.” I stared at the soup and hot chocolate. “I’ll leave the soup and the chocolate here. We’ll be back soon, right?”
“Sure!”