abcnovels
Chapter 425: A life made of lies
Chapter 425: A life made of lies
Nate listened to Ebony's story, trying to find anything that could hurt Lara. However, all she said made some sense. And she seemed to intend to help them.
«So, you say she can feel it,» Nate said. «Why is she afraid of you, then? You unsettle her.»
«She feels that I can see,» Ebony murmured, shrugging.
It was a mystery why being seen caused Lara a panic attack, but all she could know was what her senses could catch.
«If I could talk with your wife, I'm sure we'd find out more.»
«I don't know whether it's a good idea.»
«It's wise. You can try finding out the truth. Or you can live with your doubts forever... I'm here to help, but I can't do anything if you don't let me. I was sent by the spirits... The Moon Goddess guided me here.
She's on your side, don't you see?»
«I can't let you approach her until I'm sure you are no threat.»
«I'm not asking to be alone with her. On the contrary, I think you need to witness it as well. Your wife needs to know why she's been driven towards wolves, why she feels what she feels. It's not as irrational and mysterious as she thinks.»
«So, you think Lara feels something but can't name it. Is that why she's afraid?»
«Maybe. I can't just guess. I'm sensitive but not a seer. I can't just ask the Moon Goddess for answers.»
She was starting to feel annoyed. She understood why Nate was so protective of his mate, but, at the same time, he asked for too many answers to allow wild guesses.
«Okay, then. I will talk to Lara first, and, if she agrees, you will meet.»
Ebony nodded, getting comfortable on her chair. That worried Alpha would have tried talking his mate out of it or maybe asking a thousand times whether she was sure. It would have taken them quite a while to come back to her.
«It's getting late,» she realised. It was almost time for lunch.
However, she doubted she could just leave for a meal and come back as if nothing had happened. Everyone was too nervous, and they would have assumed she was even more suspicious.
As such, she waited.
A few minutes later, the Alpha came back with his mate.
She tilted her head, surprised. He was quick at convincing her! Or, most likely, Lara was curious as well.
«Nate says you know something about me,» she said in fact. «That you know why I act irrational and then have panic attacks.»
«No, I said she might know it, Lara,» Nate murmured. «She was too vague with her words, though. It might be all a trap.»
«What do we have to lose?» Lara replied, spreading her arms.
Other than her sanity - which was already a big question - she had nothing. She could as well listen to that woman and see whether there was some hope.
«You have lots to lose, actually,» Ebony said. «It may be difficult, but I'm here to help you overcome the fact that humans don't feel mate links - but you do.»
«So, let's start from the beginning. What do you mean that I'm not like other humans? What am I?»
«You are human, Alpha Lara. But... You feel like a wolf, sometimes. I can help you remember and recognise what happened.»
«R-remember?»
«You don't remember something; I can see it. But what? And why?»
«I always thought it was because of the alcohol,» Lara said. «I thought it was because of trauma, maybe. But then, I don't feel afraid. Nate makes me feel safe.»
«He's your mate. He won't ever hurt you.»
«There's... It's not the only time, Lara,» Nate murmured. «There were other times when you acted... weird? I thought you were pretending, at fi
«Hmm?» She was startled. «What do you mean?»
«The first time I asked you to marry me, you ignored my question!» he exclaimed. «I thought it was... I thought you didn't want to refuse too fir
«What are you talking about?» Lara said. «I mean, I know I acted dumbly back then, but it didn't make sense - to me - that you wanted a relationship. Not to mention I thought you were already taken.»
«I was, in fact. By you.»
«Oh, Nate... Try understanding me, okay? I thought you were there for the twins. How could I think you were also after me? To me, it made no sense!»
«I know. And that's the point. You just discard everything that does not make sense.»
She blinked, confused.
«That's just the beginning, Lara. I stopped paying too much attention, but there were times when you would... get closer to me. Then, after it was over, you acted as if nothing happened.»
«What?»
«Like our first date. Do you remember the cocktail party?»
«Yes, I do! I got a cocktail by mistake, true. But what of it?»
«You forgot!»
«I didn't forget. We had a wonderful time!»
«I mean after!»
«After?»
«You acted as if nothing changed between us.»
«I didn't! I acknowledged we were dating, don't you remember? I agreed to try building a relationship!»
Her face was red, but she couldn't allow Nate to think she forgot him. Even if a stranger was listening.
«We kissed in the park, but you acted like nothing happened the day after,» he pointed out. «Your behaviour changed only later, only after the Bright Moon. Do you even remember what happened then?»
«Oh, yes,» she nodded, «I remember that night of the full moon quite perfectly.»
He had kissed her out of the blue. And he had used some sort of magic to keep her still. It had been a weird night for her, but she hadn't felt any fear... Which was strange, wasn't it?
Alpha's powers were precisely what she couldn't explain rationally.
«But after the party?» she wondered. She tried remembering, but the images were confused, clouded... They took a stroll... Then came back. She got her cubs and went to sleep happily.
So happy that something must have happened!
«Oh, dear,» she sighed.