Chapter 21 Catherine’s Suggestion

Chapter 21 Catherine’s Suggestion
~ NYLA’S POV

I blame it on the mate bond. I wasn’t thinking right, and the mating bond just took over. I don’t know why I have a stupid smile on my face just thinking about the kiss. It’s a dumb kiss, and I shouldn’t even be thinking about it.

I tried not to think about it, but it felt like my denial was making it even harder to stop. Each attempt, I just found myself leaning right back into thinking about it.

"Nyla." A voice broke through my thoughts.

I looked over to see Catherine walking into the room, her face filled with worry. She sat next to me on the bed. "Axel told me what happened. How are you feeling?" She asked softly.

"I’m okay."

"Oh, my baby." She cupped my face. "I felt so scared when I heard about it. I mean, what if something had happened? What would I tell your mom? I promised her I’d take care of you."

"It’s okay, I’m fine," I said, smiling weakly.

"Not with what happened to you. I am sure you are shaken and scared."

"A little bit, yes." I replied quietly then I added "It was scary when he came up to me. I didn’t know what to do. I’ve never been attacked like that."

"Do you have any idea who he could be?"

I tried to think of anything familiar about him but I couldn’t. I shook my head "No, he felt like a stranger but I think he knew me."

"Of course he does. If he had come all the way from wherever he came to attack you alone then he definitely knows you."

"Yes but it wasn’t just about him attacking me, it’s like he wanted to take me with him."

Her eyes widened "Really?"

I nodded, fear suddenly gripping me.

She reached over and held my hand "You don’t have to be scared anymore. It’s all over. And I talked to Axel. He’ll be by your side at all times," She cupped my face "We are all here, no one will hurt you again. Besides the security around here is tighter, so you’ll be safe."

"Thanks, Catherine."

"You don’t have to thank me. You’re like my daughter and it’s my job to protect you." She said softly with a smile. She went silent for a while before she said, "You see, this is why I wanted you to learn how to defend yourself. A Luna really needs to be strong and smart about situations like this."

I nodded.

"I wasn’t trying to be harsh on you, I was just trying to avoid all the bad things that could have happened to you. This included," She said. "I mean, it would have been a lot worse if Axel weren’t home and didn’t come in on time."

As she spoke, I thought about it, and I couldn’t agree more.

"Nyla, you’re an amazing woman, and I love that my son is mated to you. But at the same time, I need you to learn how to fight back. Dangers like this exist in our world, and even if we try to stop them, they will keep coming because you are a powerful person now, and you need to learn that all powerful people have someone who fears them and wants to take them down."

“The person who attacked wants to take me down?" I asked, my voice slightly breaking.

She sighed softly. "We don’t know that yet. All we know is he’s an enemy, and he definitely wants something from you and Axel. We just don’t know what yet."

"Ohh," was all that could come out of my mouth.

"By the way, Axel told me what happened with you and the elders. It seems like these past few days has the most horrible ones," She said.

"It really is," I replied. Then I quietly said "I’m sorry about what happened with Gina and the others."

"Don’t be, please," She said almost immediately. "What happened wasn’t your fault. They were just being too hard on you, but don’t worry, I’ve explained everything to them and they understand. You are new here—you don’t know much about the pack royalties."

"I will learn."

"Of course you will, Nyla," She said softly. "But although I have to admit, I do understand their point. They were just looking out for the legacy. They want it to be upheld, and I know that you want the same, right?"

I nodded. "Yes, I do."

A smile danced across her face. "This is why I like you, Nyla. You always want the best for everyone."

"Yes."

"Well, I want the best too, and I think I know what would be good."

"What is it?" I asked.

She didn’t respond immediately. Her gaze dropped, then she slowly lifted it to look at me. "It’s a big ask. I don’t think I should say."

"Why not?"

"I don’t want it to make you mad."

I scoffed. "Come on, it’s me. Just tell me."

She hesitated for a moment before saying, "Well, I was thinking that things would be better for you as the Luna, and for the legacy to continue, if you mate with Axel and bear the heir as soon as possible."

My eyes widened in shock. Does she really mean that? Axel and I aren’t even that great together—we are just learning about each other, and she wants us to mate?

"Isn’t it too soon," I said.

"It’s never too soon to mate with a partner. In fact, now is the perfect time. Everyone will see you as the perfect Luna when that happens, and no one will ever speak so poorly about you," She said.

I didn’t know what to say. Mating wasn’t in my plans and I just think it’s too soon. 

Catherine must have noticed my hesitation because she suddenly added, "Don’t see this as pressure. It’s just a suggestion… a really good one."

She kissed my forehead before standing up. "Have some good rest, Nyla." With that, she walked out of the room but her words stayed with me.