Chapter Twenty-seven

LUNA

I and Rose didn’t speak again after that day, and for me that was okay. I knew that it would take some time for us to be able to get back to the way we were. I was very happy that I had decided to meet Rose. Not only was I getting my best friend back, but I would also be getting a niece or nephew soon to spoil with all the love in the world -I absentmindedly rubbed my tummy, and quickly dropped my hand. It was in the past now.

And above all, my chest felt lighter, like I had gotten a huge load off of it. I was grateful for that. That would be meaning leaving for San Fran with as little emotional baggage as I could.

I randomly thought about Giovanni and quickly shook my head. Out of sight, and out of mind.

I had moved and managed to settle in San Francisco. A bit of a wild place, but nothing that I couldn’t manage. I had resumed at my desk for my new job, still as an interpreter, and so far, so good, I was loving it. It wasn’t as active as my last job. While I got the opportunity to go outside the company and -depending on how big the job is- outside the country, all I got to do at this job was sit in all of their meetings, and interpret. Mostly French and English conversations.

Everything was moving fine. I and Rose text more frequently now. She didn’t like that I had moved and didn’t tell her. Well? In a way, it felt good that she felt bad about that.

These days, I noticed how my thoughts were filled with Giovanni. As much as I tried to control it, it wouldn’t stop. I would go to sleep, and the first thing I saw was Giovanni. He filled my waking thoughts. He was in my head when I was cooking, eating, bathing, sleeping, and, well…playing with my toys…you know what I mean.

It bothered me. I shouldn’t miss this man. I sure as hell shouldn’t be thinking about him, not after all he had done to me. But my mind seemed to have a will of her own. Sometimes were worse than others. I couldn’t sleep or eat, and it almost began to feel like withdrawal symptoms from hard drugs.

By the third week, I had dark eye circles, and there were bags under my eyes. For some reason, I just felt that my recent obsession with Giovanni was related to why I could no longer carry out some basic life functions. Like, eat.

I had gone to the hospital. Nothing.

I sat before the mirror and stared. My ghostly reflection stared back at me. We were both trying to figure out what was happening and what to do about it. thinking of all the possible scenarios…and arriving at nothing.

Was it because I had carried his child?

Was I having some complications from the loss of my child? But that was a while ago, why would I have those now? And besides, I had already gone to the hospital, and they had said none of that.

And then suddenly, it hit me. My eyes opened in shock, confusion, and disbelief. Was it possible that I was Giovanni’s mate?

But I hadn’t felt anything for him other than sexual, and I honestly felt that that was the proper human reaction when you’re in the presence of who you want to fuck their brains out.

I sighed and reached for my phone. I called Rose and she picked up on the first call.

“Hey!!!”

“Hi…how are you?”

“I’m doing great. How are you?”

“I’m good…I’m good.” I crossed my legs and took a deep breath.

“Are you okay, Luna?”

“Yes. Um…I just have a question.” I could hear the apprehension and hesitation in her voice.

“Okay. What is it?”

“Remember we talked a bit about mates the last time we saw each other?”

“Yes. What about it?” Before I could respond, she gasped and continued in an excited voice.

“Have you found yours?!” She squealed, and my mind visualized her waving her hands in the air, happy at the news.

“No. I just wanted to know. I mean, you never know.” I laughed nervously over the phone, and from her silence, we both knew that she wasn’t buying that crap.

“Hmm…I guess I will just have to take your word for it…” I breathed out a sigh of relief and nodded my head.

“Yeah…so, how did you know?”

“Like I told you before…I didn’t know immediately. Unlike werewolves, humans don’t know immediately. We…um…know overtime of spending time with the person.”

“Oh. So, what signs did you get?”

“I began to love him. Somewhat. Whenever he traveled, I would be antsy, and wouldn’t be able to function well till I saw him again.”

“Wow.”

“Yeah. Weird feelings to have for your abductor, right?”

“Tell me about it.”

“The funny part of that experience was that when he did come back, we wouldn’t speak, or even acknowledge each other’s presence.”

That sounded a bit too familiar. I took a deep breath.

“So, how did you guys go from all that to being together and pregnant.”

“Oh, we fucked.” She didn’t hold back. I smiled. I had almost forgotten how crude Rose could be.

“That was all?”

“Hm…nope. It was in bed after we were done that he told me that we were mates. And that was why he took me, and also why I stay with him, and he was also feeling everything I was feeling but much worse. He’s a werewolf, everything is heightened. So, I got pregnant, and we’ve been working on the bind since that night.”

“Wow.”

“Quite the story, right?”

“Yes. But you’re happy with him?”

“Of course. Else, you would have found his dead body by now.” We both laughed.

We spoke at length about other things. My job. I told her it was stressful, and I had no plans to stop it. after everything that’s happened to me, I needed peace. Tranquility. My job might be boring, but it was very predictable.

“I have to go now, Luna. I think Sergio just got back.”

“Alright.” I made to hang up but heard her voice over the phone again.

“Luna?”

“Yeah.”

“Don’t think you have me fooled.”

“What?”

“Girl, please. We both know you didn’t call me to ask about mates just for the heck of it.” I took a deep breath and rubbed the bridge of my nose.

“Listen…if you’re already feeling off. Know that Giovanni is feeling worse. And so, expect to see him soon. Then you’ll know if you two are mates. There’s only so much you two can take.”

“I…”

“It’s okay. You don’t need to explain anything. Trust me, I understand. You’ll be fine. Okay?”

“Yes. Thank you.” I could hear a door open and close over the phone, and then Sergio’s voice. Seemed he just stepped into whatever room she was in.

“Alright now. I have to go. Sergio just stepped in. We’ll talk later. Okay?”

“Alright. Take care.”

“I will.” I hung up and sighed.