| Book Title | The Defiant Luna |
|---|---|
| Genre | werewolf romance |
| Tags | werewolf |
| Where To Read | Amazon |
Synopsis
After Jay-la returns to her home pack, she finds herself conflicted about being Mated to the Alpha of the pack, seduced by her own wolf into claiming him, Nathan is a man she loves but hates at the same time, for banishing her all those years ago. She believes he has only brought her home because his wolf wants his Mate, and that Nathan himself only wants her in his pack for his children and heirs to be with him.
Can she ever really believe that he wants and loves her, or is it simply his wolfs desire to claim his Mate that has brought them together.
Chapter 1
Jay-la storms out of Nathan’s office, slamming the door shut, still fuming from their encounter. She’s torn between her love and hatred for Nathan, who had banished her from the pack years ago. Now, as his Mated partner and the new Luna, she’s expected to take on new responsibilities, but she’s resistant to his authority. “He, your son, thinks it’s so easy to just close out my life, a few phone calls and it’ll be all good. It’s not going to be that simple,” she says to Luna Darla, expressing her frustration.
Jay-la’s emotions are in turmoil as she struggles to come to terms with her new role and her complicated feelings for Nathan. She’s angry and hurt by his past actions, but at the same time, she loves him. She confides in Luna Darla, who tries to offer her support and understanding. Darla reveals that Nathan’s wolf can be a terror, having been hurt by his previous Mate, and that he’s not the same wolf he used to be. Jay-la is concerned about the safety of her children around Nathan’s wolf, and she knows she needs to talk to him about it.
As Jay-la spends time with her triplets, she’s happy to see them adjusting to their new surroundings, but she’s also aware of the tension between them and Nathan. Her son, Nate, is particularly distant from his father, and Jay-la understands that he wants answers about why Nathan was absent from their lives for so long. Nathan is trying to navigate this delicate situation, but he’s finding it challenging to explain his past actions without causing more damage. Jay-la is leaving it up to him to figure out how to connect with their children, while she focuses on her own emotions and the challenges of being the new Luna. “I’m not ready to deal with you yet,” she had told her parents earlier, still reeling from the pain of her past and the difficulties of her present.
Chapter 2
Nathan stands outside Jay-la’s empty office, realizing she’s not where he expected her to be. He’s concerned and can’t even smell her scent in the room, indicating she hasn’t been there for a while. He searches for her, finally finding her in the pack dining room with Rae-Rae and the triplets. As he approaches, he notes that Jay-la doesn’t smile back at him, likely still mad about their earlier conversation. “What are we all doing?” he asks, trying to sound casual, while draping an arm along the back of her chair.
Jay-la’s emotions are evident as she responds flatly to Nathan’s questions, clearly still upset. When asked about making phone calls to close out her human life, she says, “No… I’ll do it when I am ready.” Her tone is icy, and Nathan frowns, sensing her anger. “The sooner the better, especially regarding that lawsuit,” he presses, but Jay-la shrugs, “Mm, I’ll get to it.” The tension between them is palpable, with Jay-la warning Nathan not to push her, saying, “Don’t push me, you might not like what happens if you do.”
Nathan tries to lighten the mood, calling Jay-la “cute,” but she’s not amused. Rae-Rae chimes in, saying she wouldn’t call Nathan “cute” when he’s cranky. Jay-la’s green eyes flash with anger as she tells Nathan, “When I am ready to” make the calls. Nathan’s wolf, Havoc, becomes wary, sensing the shift in Jay-la’s emotions. Havoc warns Nathan to back off, saying, “Been Mated to us one day. Give our Mate time to settle in. Or I’ll be in control.”
As the conversation continues, Nathan asks Rae-Rae about her schooling, suggesting she look into transferring to a university closer to the pack. Rae-Rae seems receptive to the idea, which Michael had also mentioned earlier. Nathan decides to leave Jay-la alone for the time being, saying, “Jay-la, I’ll leave you for now, enjoy your meal.” The air is thick with unspoken emotions as Nathan exits, leaving Jay-la to her thoughts and feelings. Jay-la’s emotions remain in turmoil, as she struggles to come to terms with her new role and her complicated feelings for Nathan.
Chapter 3
Jay-la gazes out at the snow-covered landscape, her mind consumed by thoughts of her past and her complicated feelings towards Nathan. She feels a mix of emotions: hurt, anger, and apprehension, as she struggles to come to terms with her return to the pack and her reunion with Nathan. Her eyes flash with anger as she recalls the pain he caused her, and she can’t help but wonder if he would have even cared to contact her if not for the Mate Bond. Jay-la’s thoughts are interrupted by her phone call with Eric Stanton, her lawyer, who is angry and concerned about her whereabouts. “Where the hell are you?” he demands, to which Jay-la responds, “At Browning Corporation Headquarters, Eric.” Eric’s tone becomes cold and business-like as he asks about Nathan and the charges against him, “Is he there?” Jay-la’s answer is laced with tension, “Yes, he is.”
As Jay-la navigates her conversation with Eric, her emotions remain on edge. She explains her situation, telling Eric that her mother got badly injured and she had to come see her, but Eric’s skepticism is evident. Jay-la’s voice is laced with a mix of sadness and frustration as she says, “I’m aware of that,” referring to the charges against Nathan. Eric’s words strike a chord, “You fought hard to keep him away from you, and from the children. Now you’re what? Just going to give him what he wants?” Jay-la’s response is measured, “It’s complicated, Eric. The children they know who he is now. I don’t want them to hate him.” The conversation ends with Eric’s calm but firm tone, “When are you coming back Jay-la?” to which Jay-la responds, “I’m snowed in at the moment.”
Jay-la’s thoughts then shift to Tim, and she feels a pang of guilt for not having called him yet. She knows she needs to explain her situation to him and apologize for not being in touch. Her emotions are heavy with the weight of her responsibilities and the complexity of her relationships. As she reflects on her conversation with Eric and her thoughts about Tim, Jay-la’s feelings of anxiety and uncertainty linger, a reminder of the challenges she faces in navigating her new reality.
Chapter 4
Nathan is pacing in his office, feeling on edge as he senses Jay-la’s annoyance and Havoc’s frustration. He can feel their Mate Bond, but Jay-la is shutting him out, and Havoc is growling in response. Nathan is unsure why Jay-la is not happy and obedient now that they are Mated, and he’s expecting her to close out her human world and be with him. Jackson watches him, stating “I don’t think it’s going to be that simple,” as Nathan frowns, thinking it should be easy since they are Marked and Mated.
Nathan asks Jackson to find Stephen, as he needs to understand what’s going on with Jay-la. Jackson suggests Nathan should just ask her, but instead, he goes to find the children, who are building a snowman with Rae-Rae and Michael. The girls, Rosalie and Lilly, are happy and playful, but Nate is stubborn and standoffish, resembling his mother. When Nathan approaches, Nate steps back, and Nathan tries to reassure him, “I won’t hurt you Nate. I’m your father.”
Nate responds, “Where were you?” and Nathan struggles to answer, not wanting to reveal the truth about banishing Jay-la. Nate says, “That’s a grown-up way of saying, you don’t want to tell me,” and Nathan feels a pang of sadness and hurt. Nate then says, “Nate. That’s my name, I’m not your son,” which deeply hurts Nathan and Havoc. The girls sit with Nate, and Nathan watches, feeling uncertain about how to connect with his son.
Rae-Rae comments, “What can you expect really? After how his mother looked, when she came home from here,” implying that Jay-la was hurt by Nathan’s actions. Michael intervenes, and Nathan decides to leave, realizing his presence is disrupting the children’s fun. He wants Jay-la to help him connect with Nate, but he’s unsure how to explain his past actions to his son. Nathan is determined to find a way to sort out the situation and earn his son’s acceptance, but for now, he feels lost and hurt by Nate’s rejection.
Chapter 5
Jay-la walked into the 3rd floor coffee hub, where she saw the triplets, Rosalie, Lilly, and Nate, accompanied by Rae-Rae and Michael, as well as Jackson and Stephen. The atmosphere was lively, with the children laughing and playing, but Nate looked annoyed. Jay-la, still getting used to being called the Luna, was offered hot chocolate for the children by Amelia, the omega running the coffee hub. As they waited for their drinks, Michael kissed Rae-Rae and excused himself, saying he had to return to work as a form of punishment for threatening Jay-la.
Jay-la was puzzled by this, as she didn’t consider work a punishment, and Jackson explained that Michael’s punishment was actually being kept away from his mate, Rae-Rae, for most of the day. Jay-la realized that Rae-Rae was the one being punished, not Michael, and asked Jackson to resolve the situation. Stephen, looking tired, approached Jay-la and suggested that she call her nanny, Suzy, to help with the triplets, but Jay-la sensed that he had ulterior motives. She agreed to call Suzy, knowing that Stephen had feelings for her, and he admitted that he wanted to date Suzy and had the boss’s approval.
As the children enjoyed their hot chocolate, Jay-la chatted with Rae-Rae about her plans to stay in the area and attend a local university. Rae-Rae expressed her frustration about not being able to spend time with Michael due to his work schedule. Jay-la offered to help and mentioned that she could use her newfound position as the Luna to influence Michael’s work situation. Rae-Rae was curious about Jay-la’s job in L.A. and how she would balance her work and new life in the pack. Jay-la explained that she could work on Rae-Rae’s prenup while they were snowed in and planned to take the children on a walk around the area after they finished their drinks.
As they prepared to leave, Jay-la noticed Nate’s stubbornness and tried to reassure him, saying “Give it a few more days, he’s new to being a dad. Not used to it himself, an adjustment for both of you.” Nate’s demeanor was calm, but Jay-la could sense his curiosity and desire for answers. The scene ended with Jay-la, Rae-Rae, and the children ready to take a walk, while Michael was absent, working long hours, and Stephen was hopeful about his chances with Suzy. Jay-la’s emotions were empathetic and caring, as she tried to navigate her new role as the Luna and mother to the triplets. Rae-Rae’s emotions were frustrated and curious, as she tried to understand her place in the pack and her relationship with Michael.
Chapter 6
Nathan’s beast, Havoc, was furious and annoyed with Michael’s punishment, feeling that it wasn’t sufficient for distressing Jay-la and making her run away. Havoc wanted to punish Michael properly, but Nathan was containing him, not wanting to upset Jay-la further. Jackson suggested bringing Jay-la into the conversation to understand what she thought was an adequate punishment. When Jay-la arrived, Nathan’s beast calmed down, and he purred as he approached her, touching his forehead to hers.
Jay-la was calm and collected, but her emotions changed when she discussed Michael’s punishment, feeling that Rae-Rae was being punished instead. She suggested that Michael be given border patrol duty, which he hated, as a suitable punishment. Michael was resistant to the idea, complaining that it was freezing and not his job. Jay-la remained firm, stating that if he was against it, it would make a good punishment.
Nathan asked Jay-la how many days Michael should be on border patrol, and she suggested one night for every person in her apartment building that he hurt, including herself and Kora. Nathan agreed, totaling seven nights, and gave Michael the option to choose his shift. Michael reluctantly chose the 6pm to midnight shift. Before leaving, Nathan reminded Michael that he hadn’t apologized to Jay-la for his outburst and frightening her. Michael apologized, and Jay-la accepted, acknowledging that she didn’t mean to hurt his and Rae-Rae’s relationship.
Jay-la was indifferent to Blaine’s comment that she would make a great Luna, and she didn’t respond. She stepped away from Nathan, who then asked to join her in showing the children around. Jay-la agreed, and Nathan suggested it would be a good opportunity to bond with the triplets. Jay-la’s emotions were empathetic and caring as she navigated her new role as the Luna and mother to the triplets. Nathan’s emotions were a mix of concern and affection as he tried to understand Jay-la’s feelings and bond with the children.
As Jay-la and Nathan prepared to leave with the children, Jay-la’s attitude towards Nathan was slightly distant, and she had bitten him on the jaw earlier, indicating that she was still annoyed with him. Nathan’s beast, Havoc, had snorted with amusement at Jay-la’s attitude, showing that he liked her spirit. Jay-la’s eyes sparkled with amusement as she looked at Nathan, and she seemed to be enjoying the dynamics between them. Nathan’s emotions were a mix of love and concern as he looked at Jay-la, wanting to understand her and make her happy.
Chapter 7
Nathan joins Jay-la and the children on a walk around the pack, holding Jay-la’s hand as they exit his office. Jay-la’s thoughts, however, linger on the fact that Nathan has only expressed a desire to bond with the triplets, not her. The playground is closed due to snow, so they head to the entertainment zone on the ground floor, where many children are playing. Nathan introduces the triplets to the other children, and Jay-la encourages them to make new friends.
Nate stands out, watching over his sisters, and Nathan notices this, commenting that it’s “very much an Alpha thing to do.” Jay-la nods in agreement, observing that Nate has always been protective of the girls. Nathan pulls Jay-la close, putting his arms around her waist, but she feels uneasy, knowing the children aren’t used to seeing such displays of affection from her.
As they watch the children play, Michael arrives, and Rae-Rae excuses herself to spend time with him. Jay-la notices that Rae-Rae seems happy, and Nathan mentions that he needs to start working on a prenuptial agreement for Rae-Rae, which Jay-la agrees is necessary due to Rae-Rae’s wealthy background.
Nathan and Jay-la’s conversation turns to Nate, who seems unhappy despite being surrounded by other children. Jay-la senses that Nate wants to know why his father was never around and is curious about the rooms prepared for them in the pack-house. Nathan asks Jay-la why Nate is not comfortable around him, and Jay-la suggests that Nate has questions he wants answered.
As Jay-la plays a game with Nate, he asks her if they will be living in the pack-house now, and Jay-la confirms that they will be. Nate then asks if she is scared to try to leave because she might get hurt again, revealing that he has seen news reports and overheard adults discussing Jay-la’s past injuries. Jay-la is concerned that Nate thinks she is staying in the pack-house out of fear and realizes that she needs to find a way to convince him otherwise.
Nathan watches Jay-la and Nate from across the room, looking unhappy, and Jay-la can sense his eyes on her. As she talks to Nate, she feels Nathan’s gaze, and when Nate asks if Nathan will be present when Jay-la explains things to him, Jay-la nods, knowing that Nathan will likely be there.
Jay-la reflects on the turmoil that has affected their lives since she was recalled to the pack, and how Nate has seen her stressed, scared, and broken. She worries that explaining the situation to Nate will not ease his mind and that he blames Nathan for her past injuries. Jay-la is determined to find a way to make Nate feel comfortable and secure in the pack-house, but it won’t be easy, given the complex emotions and circumstances involved. “I will not hesitate to state the truth to them, exactly what happened. I can guarantee you, that they will take mine and Kora’s words over yours,” Jay-la says, her emotions a mix of determinatioin and protectiveness towards her children.
Chapter 8
Nathan and Havoc are unhappy with Jay-la’s response, and Havoc’s beast is furious, feeling shut out by Kora. Nathan tries to calm Havoc down, and once his beast is somewhat calm, he sits with the girls, who smile and climb into his lap. However, his attention is focused on Jay-la and Nate, who are talking about their living situation. Nate asks if they will be living in the pack-house, and Jay-la tells him they can discuss it later. Nathan can sense Nate’s fear and unhappiness, and he feels a pang of pain, realizing his son blames him for Jay-la’s past injuries.
Jay-la’s emotions are a mix of concern, protectiveness, and determination as she talks to Nate. She wants to reassure him, but she’s unsure how to address his fears. Nathan, on the other hand, is filled with regret and uncertainty, feeling like he’s messed up his chance to bond with his son. He thinks to himself, “I royally f***ed this up.” Havoc, his beast, snarls at him, “Fix it.” Nathan is unsure how to fix the situation, feeling like he’s made a mess of things.
As Nathan watches Jay-la and the children, he feels a sense of longing and desire to connect with them. He reaches out to Rosalie, touching her hair, and she smiles up at him. He kisses the top of her head, and then does the same with Lilly. Through their mind-link, Jay-la tells him, “Alright,” when he says he’ll give her and the children some alone time. Nathan gets up, putting Lilly down, and says, “Sorry sweetheart, I have to go back to work.” He walks back to his office, feeling unhappy and unsure of how to fix the situation.
In his office, Nathan reflects on his past mistakes, feeling like he’s naive to think that marking and mating Jay-la would solve all their issues. He thinks about how he’s treated Jay-la like a pack member, expecting her to fall in line, rather than as his equal. He realizes he needs to talk to her, to understand what she wants and how to fix their bond. Stephen arrives, and Nathan asks if Jay-la will call the nanny, Suzy. Stephen says she will, but he’s concerned that Suzy might not come right away, given the closeness to Christmas. Nathan gives Stephen permission to go back to Suzy’s location and try to convince her to come to the pack-house, but only if Jay-la’s call is unsuccessful.
Chapter 9
Jay-la declines to have dinner with her parents in the pack-house dining room, still upset with them. She instead prepares dinner for the children in the Alpha suite, trying to create a sense of normalcy. As she cooks, she thinks about her conversation with Suzy, the nanny, who is hesitant to come to the pack-house due to the upcoming Christmas holiday. Jay-la suggests inviting Suzy’s whole family to the pack-house for a white Christmas, which Suzy agrees to consider.
Nathan enters the kitchen, looking uncomfortable, and Jay-la realizes he’s aware that she plans to talk to Nate after dinner, without him present. The children help set the table, and as they eat, Nathan is quiet, his eyes fixed on Jay-la and the children. After dinner, Jay-la cleans up while Nathan helps, his movements subdued. As they finish, he asks if the children want dessert, and Jay-la replies that they’ll ask if they do.
Nathan leans against the kitchen counter, watching Jay-la, and she can sense his unhappiness. He tells her, “I don’t know what to do,” and Jay-la reassures him that she needs to talk to Nate. Nathan expresses concern about Nate’s worries and admits that he’s a stranger to the boy. Jay-la slides her arms around him, trying to comfort him, and he hugs her back, saying, “I’m sorry Jay-la. That you had to raise them on your own. I truly am.”
As they hug, Jay-la’s phone rings, and she answers it, seeing that it’s Tim, her previous partner. She’s unsure how to handle the call with Nathan present, fearing he might listen in or intervene. Nathan notices her tension and asks, “Can I help with anything?” Jay-la nods, and he starts clearing the plates. As they stand there, Jay-la feels a mix of emotions: concern for Nate, protectiveness towards her children, and uncertainty about her relationship with Nathan.
Nathan’s emotions are also turbulent, as he struggles to connect with his son and navigate his relationship with Jay-la. He feels regret and uncertainty, thinking that he’s “royally f***ed this up.” Havoc, his beast, is furious, feeling shut out by Kora, and snarls at him to “fix it.” Nathan is unsure how to fix the situation, feeling like he’s made a mess of things. As he looks at Jay-la, he feels a sense of longing and desire to connect with her and the children.
Jay-la pulls away from Nathan, and he asks if the children want dessert. Jay-la replies, “They’ll ask if they do.” Nathan smiles, and Jay-la laughs, saying, “Actually, they’ll come yelling about ice cream, it’s their favorite thing.” Nathan chuckles and asks what flavor they like most. Jay-la responds, “Vanilla and chocolate. Lilly won’t ever eat strawberry, Rosalie will though, and Nate is like you. He will eat any flavor ice cream. Likes the sugar.” Nathan smiles, saying, “I think he’s more like you, from what I have seen.” Jay-la smiles back, feeling a sense of comfort and familiarity with Nathan.
Chapter 10
Nathan is watching Jay-la as she decides whether to answer a call from Tim, her previous partner. Havoc, Nathan’s beast, growls inside his mind, still disliking the idea of another man being close to Jay-la. Nathan reminds Havoc that Jay-la had been apart from them for many years and that they had also had other relationships. Havoc snarls, claiming Jay-la as his, and demands that Nathan make her end the relationship with Tim. However, Nathan decides to give Jay-la space and privacy, telling her, “Jay-la, answer it, I’ll give you some privacy.”
As Nathan leaves the room, he reflects on his past mistakes, particularly banishing Jay-la and leaving her to fend for herself. He realizes that he was so consumed by the Mate Bond with Sophia that he didn’t care about Jay-la’s feelings. Nathan’s emotions are turbulent, filled with regret and longing. He wishes he could go back in time and do things differently, claiming Jay-la as his Luna and raising their children together.
Nathan’s mind is flooded with thoughts of what could have been, and he finds himself wondering how Jay-la felt when he abandoned her. He recalls a conversation with his Gamma, Stephen, who reveals that Jay-la had been in love with Nathan, but stepped aside when Sophia arrived. Nathan is overcome with emotion, feeling like he’s been a “complete a**e” to Jay-la. He punches his reflection in the mirror, shattering it, and then calls his personal omega to clean up the mess.
Later, Nathan checks on Jay-la, who has finished her call with Tim. He asks her if everything is alright, but she doesn’t respond, lost in thought. Nathan doesn’t push the issue, instead telling her about breaking the bathroom mirror and having it cleaned up. Jay-la asks about his temper, and Nathan admits that it can get out of control, especially when Havoc is angry. He reassures her that he’s working to keep his temper in check, especially with the children around.
Jay-la expresses concern about Havoc’s behavior, and Nathan explains that his beast is protective of her and the children. He says, “He likes looking at you, just… sitting and looking at you.” Jay-la is unsure how to react, and Nathan senses her fear. He tries to reassure her that Havoc will not harm her, but will fiercely defend her against any threats. The conversation is tense, with both characters navigating their complicated emotions and relationships.
Chapter 11
Jay-la has a phone conversation with Tim, her previous partner, and informs him that she is currently snowed in at her parents’ home within the Browning Corporation Headquarters in New York. She explains that Nathan, the father of her children, is also there and wants to spend time with the kids. Jay-la declines Tim’s offer to come and be with her, citing that he has a case to attend to and she will try to book a flight back to LA when the weather permits.
During the conversation, Tim asks if Nathan is the father of her children, and Jay-la confirms. He also inquires if she is living in Nathan’s house, and Jay-la responds, “He owns everything here, so yes, I guess you could say I am in his house.” The conversation ends with Tim hanging up on her, clearly upset.
Jay-la is filled with emotions, feeling guilty about ending things with Tim over the phone. She knows she has to close out her human life now that she is Marked and Mated to Nathan. She is aware that she will go into heat soon and needs to stay close to Nathan to avoid other unmated wolves.
Nathan approaches Jay-la and explains that his temper can get out of control, especially when his beast, Havoc, is angry. Jay-la expresses concern about Havoc’s behavior, and Nathan says, “He likes looking at you, just… sitting and looking at you.” Jay-la is unsure how to react, sensing Nathan’s intense emotions.
Jay-la decides to talk to her son, Nate, about the situation, but wants to do it without Nathan’s presence. She tells Nathan, “The girls are still up… Perhaps Jay-lay we should just tell the three of them, so there are no questions later on.” But then she flatly says, “No.” Jay-la explains that her girls are gentle souls, but if they become upset, they will follow their brother Nate’s lead, and it could create problems.
Nathan wants to be present during the conversation, but Jay-la advises him to sit back and let her handle it. She says, “You want what you want. But this is what I believe needs to happen… I’m going to handle this like work. Mediation I guess you could say.” Jay-la’s words are laced with a sense of determination and frustration, as she tries to navigate the complex situation.
As Jay-la walks away, Nathan grabs her arm, and she brushes it off, saying, “You don’t know them yet. But my girls, they will do what their brother tells them to… You need to understand they are triplets and are connected.” Jay-la’s emotions are raw, and she glares up at Nathan, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and sadness. She states, “I am not going to apologise to you, for how I raised them. Chose to protect them, out there on my own.” Jay-la’s voice is firm, and she turns away, hiding the pain and vulnerability she feels.
Chapter 12
Nathan is struggling to understand Jay-la’s emotions, feeling her anger and annoyance as she talks to him. Her words are laced with a sense of determination and frustration, as she tries to navigate the complex situation. Jay-la’s eyes flash with a mix of anger and sadness as she says, “You want what you want.” She is visibly upset, her emotions raw, and she glares up at Nathan, who is trying to grasp what is bothering her.
As the conversation progresses, Jay-la becomes increasingly defensive, her words “I am not going to apologise to you, for how I raised them. Chose to protect them, out there on my own” revealing the depth of her emotions. Nathan, sensing her pain and vulnerability, tries to reach out to her, but she brushes his hand off, making it clear she doesn’t want to be touched. Kora, Jay-la’s wolf, is also feeling the strain, and at one point, she takes control, shutting Nathan out of their bond, leaving him feeling concerned and uncertain.
Nathan decides to seek advice from his parents, hoping to understand what is happening with Jay-la. His mother explains that sometimes, when she is severely upset, she shuts his father out, and it’s possible that Jay-la is doing the same. His father advises him to apologize for his past actions, telling him, “Apologise for everything… No matter what it is, or how small a thing to you it seems, might not be so small to her.” Nathan’s mother adds, “Be nice to the girl, smile at her, hold her hand and tell her you’re happy, want to be with her, love her.”
As Nathan returns to his suite, he finds Jay-la with the children and tries to make amends. He takes her hand, leading her out into the hallway, and tells her, “I have never had a woman in this suite. No one at all ever… This is our suite, yours and mine. If you want to, you can redecorate it to your liking.” Jay-la seems confused but nods, and Nathan can sense her emotions, though she doesn’t say much. He leans down and kisses her softly, saying, “I’ll give you time with the children… I want you to know that I want you here, to be my Luna.” Jay-la’s response is a simple “Thank you,” leaving Nathan wondering how to bridge the gap between them.
With a sense of determination, Nathan sets out to find a way to fix the situation, to show Jay-la that he cares, and to help her overcome her fears and doubts. He knows it won’t be easy, but he’s willing to try, to make their bond stronger and to prove his love for her. As he walks away, he can’t help but wonder if he’s broken the carefree and playful Jay-la, and if there’s still a part of her left that he can reach.
Chapter 13
Jay-la sat with Nate on his bed, the girls were already asleep, and the atmosphere was quiet. Nate had questions, and Jay-la was willing to answer them. “Ask your questions Nate,” she said, noticing him glance at the door, which was closed. Jay-la informed him that Nathan was likely in his office, giving them space to talk. Nate asked about his father’s absence, and Jay-la explained that Nathan didn’t know how to answer his questions, which might lead to Nate disliking him even more.
Jay-la took a deep breath and began to explain the complexities of wolf relationships. “As a wolf, you have an inner beast, that when you’re old enough, you can shift into it right,” she said. Nate listened intently, trying to understand the concept of a “Mate” and the role of the Alpha’s Mate, the Luna. Jay-la shared her personal experience, “Nathan and I, we were together, we, the human parts of us liked each other. But we were not Mates.” Nate’s eyes widened as he grasped the idea, “Like you and Tim?”
Jay-la’s expression turned somber as she recalled her past. “He left you,” Nate muttered, sensing his mother’s pain. Jay-la admitted, “Yes, but for the one made for him. It’s how it works.” She explained that Nathan’s wolf had a Mate, and she was not it. Nate asked if she had told Nathan about him and his sisters, and Jay-la revealed that she had not, fearing for their safety due to Nathan’s Mate’s possessiveness.
Nate’s eyes clouded with concern, “You really thought she would hurt us?” Jay-la’s voice was laced with conviction, “Yes, more than hurt us, because here in this world, that is what happens, and Alpha’s Mate would not stand for him having children.” Nate’s face reflected his distress, and Jay-la reassured him, “You and your sisters are perfectly safe here.”
As they talked, Jay-la’s emotions seesawed between sadness and determination. She shared her decision to leave and protect her children, cutting herself off from her family and the pack. Nate listened, trying to grasp the complexity of the situation. Jay-la’s voice was soft, yet firm, as she said, “I was scared of her, scared for you and your sisters, thought she would harm you, harm me for that matter.”
The conversation came to a close, and Jay-la kissed Nate on the forehead, “Try to play nice in the morning.” As she left the room, Nate muttered, “I’ll play nice when you do.” Jay-la’s expression hinted at her concern, but she felt a sense of relief that Nate seemed to understand the situation.
Later, Jay-la strolled into Nathan’s office, finding it mostly unused. She decided to use it as her own office and turned on the computer. After a brief mind-link conversation with Nathan, she began working on a prenuptial agreement for Rae-Rae and Michael. Her focus was on creating a document that would favor Rae-Rae, ensuring she received everything in case of a divorce. Jay-la’s determination was evident as she worked, her emotions still simmering beneath the surface.
Chapter 14
Nathan woke up to find Jay-la missing from their bed, and after searching the house, he found her asleep on the lounge in the living area. He was confused and concerned about her behavior, as they had never had problems sleeping in the same bed before. He picked her up and took her back to their bed, trying to understand what was going on with her. As he lay awake, he couldn’t shake off the feeling that something was off, and he wondered if their Mate Bond was the only reason she was with him.
The next morning, Nathan tried to wake Jay-la up for training, but she refused to get up, growling and snarling at him. He was taken aback by her behavior, as she had always been an early riser and enjoyed training. He decided to let her sleep and took the triplets to the dining room for breakfast instead. As they walked to the elevator, Nate commented that it was like being in a hotel for breakfast, and the girls were excited to try all the different foods.
At the dining room, the triplets chose white chocolate pancakes with boysenberry syrup and orange and mango juice. Nathan was happy to see them enjoying themselves, and his unit was also pleased to see Nate chatting away with his sisters. Stephen asked where Jay-la was, and Nathan replied, “Doesn’t like getting up early.” The unit stared at him, seemingly disbelieving, as they knew Jay-la had always been an early riser.
As Nathan sat with the triplets, he couldn’t help but think about Jay-la’s behavior and how it had changed. She seemed distant and uninterested in training, and he was worried that their Mate Bond was the only thing holding them together. He was determined to spend more time with her and the children and try to understand what was going on with her. Meanwhile, Jay-la was still asleep, unaware of the breakfast festivities and Nathan’s concerns about their relationship. “I’ll get up and ready for court when it’s 7,” she muttered, still half asleep, when Nathan tried to wake her up again.
Nathan’s emotions were a mix of concern and frustration as he tried to navigate Jay-la’s newfound grumpiness. Jay-la, on the other hand, seemed to be struggling with her own emotions, still half asleep and disoriented, “Go away, I’m sleeping,” she pushed at Nathan’s hand. As Nathan left her to sleep, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease about their relationship and wonder what the day would bring.
Chapter 15
Jay-la woke up alone in the Alpha Suite, finding that Nathan had taken the triplets to breakfast. She received a mind-link from her father, Jodi, asking her to join them for breakfast and discuss what had happened. Jay-la agreed, still upset with her family, but willing to listen. As she got dressed, she noticed the formal clothes in her closet and wondered if Nathan expected her to dress like his mother. She chose a simple black pencil skirt and light blue blouse, and headed downstairs.
On her way, she encountered Abbey, who was walking with her Mate, Johnny. Kora, Jay-la’s wolf, growled aggressively at Abbey, prompting Johnny to call for backup. Jay-la warned Abbey that they were not done yet, and would have their day when Abbey was no longer pregnant. Jay-la continued downstairs, where she met Jackson and Stephen, who were trying to stop her from confronting Abbey. Jay-la was angry and frustrated, feeling that they thought she was cruel enough to attack a pregnant woman.
Jay-la arrived at her parents’ house, where they were preparing her favorite breakfast foods. She asked them to stop cooking and explain themselves, wanting to know why they had allowed Abbey to hurt her mother. Her parents explained that they had planned the whole thing, using wolfsbane to make her mother unconscious, in an attempt to bring Jay-la back to the pack. Jay-la was hurt and angry, feeling that their actions were unacceptable. Her parents apologized, acknowledging that they had made a mistake.
Jay-la’s mother asked her about the Luna Ceremony, which was scheduled to take place in 8 days. Jay-la was surprised, as she had not been told about it, and did not know what to expect. Her mother asked her about the color scheme, but Jay-la was unsure, saying that Nathan had chosen a blue dress for her to wear. Jay-la felt that the ceremony was more about Nathan than her, and that people were planning things for her without asking her what she wanted.
Jay-la left her parents’ house and returned to the pack house, where she found her children playing in the games room with Luna Darla and Halley. Darla apologized for not telling Jay-la about the Luna Ceremony, saying that she thought Nathan would have informed her. Jay-la was skeptical, thinking that Nathan might have intentionally kept her in the dark. Jay-la decided to work on Rae Rae’s prenup, and asked if Rae Rae was with Michael. Darla confirmed that they were together.
Jay-la spent some time with her children, asking them about their breakfast and what they had eaten. They were excited to tell her about their meal, and Jay-la was happy to see them interacting with the other pack kids. She asked if they wanted to come upstairs with her, but they preferred to stay and play with Halley and the other children. Jay-la left them with Darla, who offered to watch them while Jay-la worked. Jay-la’s emotions were a mix of frustration, anger, and sadness, as she struggled to come to terms with her family’s actions and Nathan’s behavior.
