"No mom, I'm not saying that." I disagreed.
"So what are you saying? Because your statement just sounded like you and Aaron had issues and Baron came into the picture, you moved on." She was done with the counter, and had now moved to the dishes.
How mom was able to do all these things while still being a mom, a wife and the Luna of a huge pack was shocking. I did not think I could ever achieve this feat. She was a superhero. And here she was, helping me to figure out my life. With all these duties, how did she even notice what was going on with me and the boys?
"That's not how it is mom."
"Then how is it?" Her back was still to me. She looked perfect in her denim shorts and an oversized shirt that if my guess was right, belonged to dad. I took my slim, petite frame from her.
I threw my hands up in the air in confusion. "I don't know." I sighed. "I like Baron." I blurted.
She turned to give me a knowing look. "I can see that."
"I really like him." I uttered, I had known for a while now but something did not just sit well with it. I could not just say.
"But you do not think he's the one." She turned to cast me a knowing glance again.
"I don't know. Maybe." Now that she said it, maybe that was it. I really liked Baron but something within was telling me it was not just right with him. Baron was a very wonderful guy, he might be stubborn and wild but he was kind and had a good heart, he just needed to be understood. "But he's a good guy, so what could go wrong?"
"Destiny."
"What?" I was confused.
She paused what she was doing to fully face me. "Fate is everything. Every werewolf has their wolf to help them signal out the person the Moon Goddess has given to them to be their fated mates. You might not have a wolf, darling but that doesn't make you less of a werewolf." She drew a chair and sat with me at the small table. "The Moon Goddess surely has a partner for you and while you are free to develop feelings for anyone, which is natural, only one can love you as the Moon Goddess wants it. Only one werewolf's path can cross yours perfectly."
"So you're saying I'm being hesitant because the Moon Goddess has a mate for me?"
"Yes. Now, tell me about Aaron." She stood and went back to the sink to rinse the plates.
Aaron? What was there to tell about him? Was it the way he had talked to me? Or disappointed me when I needed him the most? What did I have to say about him? There was nothing much, we'd never had any serious conversations before.
Aside the secret stares and subtle looks that he passed to me whenever we were in the same proximity, there was nothing else? He did not really say anything to me. The only time he had actually shocked me was when he'd said I was his mate, which was total nonsense to me.
There was no way I would be mates with my stepbrother, although I did not think that actually mattered. I had kissed Baron and enjoyed every moment, and he was my stepbrother too.
But Aaron? That kiss in my bathroom. I would not lie to myself and say I had felt nothing, I had felt something. And I would not also lie to myself and say it had not rocked me more than Baron's kiss had. Because it did. It did rock me and left my within disrupted and in chaos.
"I think we have a winner." Mom suddenly announced.
"What?" I was jolted out of my reverie.
"Aaron."
"What?" She was drowning me in more confusion.
"Aaron is the winner." She repeated.
"How? What do you mean? This is not some competition." I groaned, I was still in confusion.
"It's not, and I never said it was. But you surely were quiet when I asked about Aaron."
"That is because I know next to nothing about him."
She turned. "Are you sure? Or you do not understand the feelings between you two, which is why you're finding it hard to say anything."
"I-I don't understand what you're saying."
"Denial." She intoned humorously.
"I'm not denying anything. You said I might have a mate and I have to know who he is. It might not be Aaron or even Baron."
She looked at me for what seemed like forever, then nodded. "If you say so."
She was washing her hands in the sink, she was done with the kitchen. Everywhere gleamed and the utensils which had been dirty minutes ago, now looked brand new and sparkled. Mom was cut out for this.
"Alright, I am done here. You can go meet the boys in your room. You guys have fun and don't forget to call your dad or I, remind the boys too."
"Yes, mom." I stood from the chair.
She came to hug me. It was a while since mom had hugged me, she kissed my forehead. Cradling my face in her both palms, she stared directly into my eyes. "You are a smart young woman and I am proud of you, but please, don't play with their feelings. And always let the Moon Goddess guide you to your mate. Okay?"
I nodded. "Yes, mom."
"That's my girl. Find your mate, but don't give me grand pups yet. I'm not done being your mother." The glint in her eyes showed she was teasing but then, they held lots of love and affection for me too.
"I love you mom. Thank you." I hugged her tighter, inhaling the maternal scent I was used to all my life.
"I love you too baby." She pulled away. "Now go have fun. I'll be having fun with my mate."
"Mom." I groaned. "It was not necessary to tell me that."
She giggled like a teenager. It was good to see mom happy. "He's good for you." I told her, grinning.
"The Moon Goddess never disappoints."