Page 61 of His Fated Luna

No wonder she had asked the kids to leave the room.

“The—what?” My shrill voice cut through the chatter.

I was still trying to process this entire situation, and now they were talking about the mating ceremony? My gaze snapped to Aiden, full of accusation.

“Is this another decision I have to follow without being consulted?” I sneered.

“Now, Rose…” Auntie Hilda began quickly, clearly trying to smooth things over. “We’re all just doing what’s best for you. We never should have let someone get bold enough to trail you and plan a kidnapping. Everyone is just trying to make sure nothing like that happens again.”

She probably thought she was being reassuring.

“Oh, thank you, Auntie Hilda, for caging me in further!” My voice was dripping with sarcasm, but the anger bubbling inside me was very real. “I’m sick of everyone’s rules. I’m sick of being sent away, then brought back, then pushed and pulled based on what everyone else thinks. And for what? So everyone can feel less guilty? Has anyone even thought about what I want?! If you and Dad didn’t want me living with you anymore, you should have just said so!”

I was practically snarling by the end of it. First they all lied to me about my past and now they were making decisions about my safety without consulting me.

Auntie Hilda pressed her lips together, but they still trembled. Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. A flicker of guilt hit me, but it wasn’t enough to make me take back my words. They couldn’t keep making decisions for me!

Suddenly, Dad’s fist slammed against the table, making the cutlery clatter. I jumped slightly, startled. My father had never directed his anger at me before.

“Aiden, Josie, and Hilda have gone through a lot of trouble, Rose, to make sure you have a comfortable room and want for nothing,” he said, his voice sharp with frustration. “They’ve spent the past few days doing nothing but picking out décor, shopping for you, making sure everything was perfect. Hilda hasn’t slept since you were admitted to the hospital because she was worried sick about you. If you want to move back home, fine. Do it. But none of us will sleep soundly, constantly worrying about your safety. You’re an easy target if we leave things as they are.”

“I don’t see why I have to live here,” I bit out, shoving down the guilt rising in my chest. I never asked them to do any of this! They weren’t helping me—they were suffocating me, taking away my freedom to choose.

“If we’re going to make this look legit, you have to live here,” Aiden said, his voice quiet but firm. He was telling me what no one else had. “Whoever took you knew we hadn’t mated. If someone’s watching you, they’ll be less likely to try again if they think we’re together.”

“Oh, because your presence is just soooo terrifying,” I scoffed.

“No,” Aiden snapped. “Because if they think we’re having sex, it means I can mind-link you even before you’ve turned.”

The room went dead silent. I felt like the air had been knocked out of me.

“You’re my mate, and you’re half-human,” Aiden continued, his voice clipped and clinical, completely devoid of emotion. “When a werewolf mates with a half-human, they can mind-link each other after sleeping together. Once a half-human mate is marked, the bond becomes even deeper, and they can sense each other’s locations.”

No one spoke as Aiden pushed back his chair and stood.

“I won’t mark you until after you’ve turned, but we really should have the mating ceremony soon,” he said, nodding toward Josie. “Ask Rose what she wants for it. I’ll take care of it.” He exhaled sharply. “I’m not hungry anymore.”

He strode out of the dining room but stopped at the doorway, turning back to glare at Dad.

“If you ever yell at Rose like that again, I won’t let it slide a second time,” he stated, voice dark and unwavering. “She’s going to be your luna, and I won’t tolerate anyone disrespecting her.”

Then he was gone, leaving behind a tense silence.

Just as he left, the scent of spaghetti filled the room. Lorraine walked in with dinner.

“I’m not hungry either,” I muttered, throwing my napkin onto the table before walking out.

Josie's POV

“But it’s her favorite,” Lorraine said, looking stunned as Rose disappeared from sight.

“I’ll send up a plate of leftovers for her later,” I said, watching Rose leave.

She reminded me so much of myself when I’d been her age. Though I hadn’t had the same issues she and Aiden were having. But Rose had that same determination and she was head strong too. The makings of a perfect luna.

“Josie, I know it’s customary for the previous luna to move out to make room for the new alpha and luna…” Ezra began hesitantly, brushing off Aiden’s earlier warning like it was nothing.

“You don’t seem at all upset about Aiden’s warning to you,” I noted with a tilt of my lips.