Rebirth of the Broken Luna A Second Chance at Luna's Heart novel Chapter 11

“The pack is fine,” I said, sounding harsher than I intended. I sighed and softened my tone before adding.

“Just… a lot on my mind.”

She nodded, accepting this without pushing for more. A quality that I wished Luna had.

“I wanted to talk to you about the winter solstice ceremony,” she said after a moment. “The Boulder Creek pack has told me that Riley participate, as Marcus’s heir. It would mean a lot to them… and to us.”

“That’s a significant step,” I said slowly as I thought about it. That was one of the steps that heirs normally undergo to solidify their

positions future Alpha. One that I was reluctant to let Ollie go through as well. “Is he ready?”

“That’s what I wanted to ask you.” She leaned forward, looking earnest than I have ever seen her..

“You’ve been more of a father to him these past months than anyone. You know his wolf, his capabilities and limits. Do you think he’s strong enough?”

“I think he’s stronger than anyone gives him credit for,” I said after a moment, feeling that guilt rise up in me hearing the word Father.

“But the ceremony is intense. He’ll need preparation and training.” I hesitated. “I’d need to spend more time with him in the coming weeks. To get him ready.”

Sophia smiled brightly looking relieved.

“That’s exactly what I was hoping you’d say. You’re the only one I trust with this, Xen.”

She moved closer on the sofa, pressing her thigh against mine, as I took in a breath of her scent and it seemed to leave me feeling a bit high.

“You’ve become so important to us. I don’t know what we would have done without you these past months.”

She held my hand intertwining it with hers before placing a kiss on the back of my palm.

“Of course. Will you still come for dinner? Around seven?”

I should say no. I should have told her that I would spend the night with my mate and son.

“Seven sounds good,” I heard myself say instead. “I just need to handle something first.”

She nodded her head slowly as she escorted me to the front door keeping her distance now that we were in the company of her household staff.

“Whatever’s bothering you, I’m here if you need to talk. Please remember that.”

The sincerity in her voice seemed to break me as I leaned down, pressing a kiss to her cheek that lingered just long enough to cross the boundary from friendly to intimate.

“Thank you,” I murmured against her skin, before pulling away and heading for my car without looking back.