Damon and Talia stood in front of the modest home on the outskirts of Darkbourne.
Talia was nervous. What if the people inside start cursing her and tell her to leave?
The door opened, and a middle-aged man bowed with, "Alpha, Luna."
Talia's heart tightened at the sight of a man she saw at the Summer Solstice festival. That was Lulu's father, and they called him chef Page. Talia saw him only a few months ago, yet he looked like he aged a decade.
"No need for formalities, Page. We came here to see how you are doing," Damon said.
"I am honored. Please, come in."
Talia and Damon stepped into the house that immediately opened into a living room. There was one sofa, two sofa chairs, and a coffee table. Straight ahead was a kitchen with a dining area, and there was a small hallway on the right.
Talia swallowed a pinch in her throat at the sight of a fireplace that had Lulu's large photo with a black ribbon at the edge. There were many smaller photos of Lulu around it, from her early childhood and teen years, and then there were few with Lulu as an adult. At the bottom of the fireplace were one teddy bear, a worn-out doll, and several vases with fresh flowers.
"Can I see the photos?" Talia asked, unsure if she was worthy of going there.
"No need to ask, Luna," Page responded respectfully and gestured toward the fireplace.
Talia walked closer to observe photos, and she heard Damon asking, "How are things, Page? Do you need any help?..." Two men talked, but Talia's ears were buzzing, and she didn't hear them.
More than those photos, Talia saw Lulu in her mind, smiling, arguing, and then that prideful expression that made everyone wonder if they should challenge her.
Talia remembered the moment when Damon said they could be her guards. Keith stepped forward first, accepting his role, and Lulu was second. After that, Lulu didn't voice her loyalty, but her actions were not lacking. Why did Talia doubt her?
"Are you OK?" Damon's voice sounded close to Talia's ear, startling her.
She didn't notice when he came behind her.
Talia wanted to say she was fine, but she knew that Damon could sense her emotions, and he would see through her.
Instead of answering his question, Talia pointed at one photo. It was young Lulu, maybe around ten years old, with a woman by her side.
"Is this Lulu's mother?" Talia guessed. There was some resemblance between the two.
"Yes. That's Dove." Page responded.
Damon thought how that was odd. He didn't remember Dove as a pack member, but maybe she joined while his father was the Alpha. He was embarrassed to admit that he didn't know much about Lulu's personal life, but he still asked, "Does she live here?"
"No. She left us a long time ago. It was just Lulu and me."
Talia's heart cracked.
"Page, I…" Talia exhaled a shaky breath. "I am so sorry for your loss. Lulu was an amazing she-wolf. She died while saving my life, and I will always be grateful for her sacrifice. I know that there is nothing I can do to make it up to you, but if I can help you in any way, just let me know."
Page smiled sadly. "Lulu would be happy to hear those words, Luna. There is one thing you could do."
Talia blinked while wondering what he would ask for.
"Can you tell everyone that Lulu was a good person?"
Talia didn't have any problem with that, but… "Why would anyone think bad of Lulu?"
Page released a slow breath. "Lately, Lulu was troubled. She told me that everyone took a blood oath, and she didn't. Rumors spread quickly, and some people asked her if she was planning to betray you. Lulu endured, too prideful to admit why she didn't do it, but I knew she was troubled by it." He turned to look at the photo with Lulu and her mother. "Dove was the reason why Lulu…" He paused. "Do you want to hear Lulu's story?"
"Yes, please," Talia responded right away.
Page gestured toward the sitting area and offered them drinks. Damon and Talia settled on the sofa, and Page brought them water before sitting on the sofa chair.
"I met Dove more than two decades ago," Page started his story. "I was on a mission to check for rogue activity in the area, and I stopped by the human town where I met her. Dove was the most beautiful she-wolf I had ever seen." He smiled bitterly. "That's how the mate bond works. I remember fearing she was a rogue and if we were doomed for failure, but she didn't smell like one."
He released a long breath before continuing, "Dove was carried away by the mate bond, just how I was, and everything was great, except that she refused to come with me. Dove said she had a life in human town, and she couldn't just disappear. I would visit her whenever I could. She had a single-bedroom apartment and…" He shook his head. "That's not important. I was delighted when we confirmed she was pregnant with a pup. At that time, she agreed to come with me. I thought it would be forever, and I had no idea that Dove had different plans."
Page stopped talking. Damon and Talia stayed silent, waiting for Page to gather his thoughts. It was obvious this was emotional for him.
"It lasted for about half a year. I was blindsided when Dove said she needed to return to human town. Lulu was just a few weeks old then. When I realized she was not talking about just shopping, Dove explained that her vacation time was over, and she didn't want to lose her job. She said this house was small and shabby, and we needed more money and… Anyway, she left."
"Days became weeks, and I was angry that Dove was not coming back. Lulu needed her mother. I went to look for her and… I found out she had a man there. He was human. Dove panicked, thinking I would kill him, and I almost did."
Page's expression darkened.
"Dove said she was with him from before we met, and he was taking care of her, and I realized that my aches when we were apart were because my mate was unfaithful. In a fit of anger, I rejected the bond, and I forced her to accept it. I thought I will die, but Lulu's existence kept me afloat. My wolf weakened, ending my career as a warrior."
He rubbed his face with force and then continued, "I thought I will never see Dove again, but she came to visit for Lulu's first birthday. I didn't have the heart to chase her away when I saw Lulu smiling at her. I didn't know if it was Dove's guilt, mother's instinct, or maybe she just wanted to torture me, but Dove would visit occasionally, always bringing presents. As time passed and Lulu became aware of her surroundings, Lulu noticed that other kids had both parents, yet her mother was not around. Lulu started asking Dove why she didn't live with us, like other mothers, and Dove would always say it will happen next time."
Page looked at Talia and Damon seriously. "Lulu grew up listening to empty promises. Her mother would show up for birthdays and holidays, coming with a smile and expensive toys and clothes, and leaving Lulu with a broken heart. Lulu was a teenager when she confronted her mother. Lulu said that she was tired of lies and that if Dove had no intention to be a mother, she was not welcome."
He smiled sadly. "Lulu burned all the gifts Dove ever gave her. Lulu said she didn't need trinkets and promises. She wanted her mother."
Talia was glad that Damon's hand held firmly on her shoulder like he was preventing her from falling apart. Talia knew very well what it meant to grow up without a family. The comforting thought was that Lulu had a loving father. Unfortunately, that same father was now grieving Lulu's death. How could Talia not feel responsible?
"Lulu was a good child," Page said. "She channeled her frustration into training and studying. Lulu loved this pack, and she was honored to be your guard, Luna. To her, it was recognition of her efforts. Lulu hated empty promises, and she was determined to prove her loyalty with actions."
Talia felt a lump in her throat. "Lulu was an amazing warrior and a great friend. She was loyal to the pack, and she died an honorable death. I will make sure everyone knows that. "
Page bowed his head. "Thank you, Luna."
His shoulders shook, and Talia's vision blurred from tears that streamed down her cheeks as they cried silently.
