Zane's Point of View
I take another sip from the glass in my hand, staring at the amber liquid in the glass.
I can't get myself to go down to dinner. I don't think I can see her right now.
I sigh and run my hand through my hair, resting my head back against my chair.
I think about what Shay said about Lisa touching me. I know I should probably have done something about it, but over the years I've become so accustomed to just ignoring her talking to or touching me that I didn't even think about what it would look like to Shay.
I kept hearing my father in my head, not to be disrespectful and rude to Lisa, that it sets a bad precedent. And suddenly I wonder why, all these years, he specifically kept telling me not so be rude and disrespectful to her.
I look up when my door opens and I growl at my father that just saunters into my office.
"Can't you knock?"
"Don't you growl at me boy. This used to be my office. I can do what I want. Did you talk to Shay?"
I sigh, running my hand through my hair.
"I did."
"And? Is she going to apologize for the way she acted?"
"No. She's leaving."
He frowns.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean she's leaving dad. The meaning is pretty clear."
"What about Zayde?"
"I don't know. She said she'd talk to him to hear if he wants to go back with her or stay here a little while longer."
My father nods.
"Maybe this is for the best."
"What?"
"Her leaving. She clearly isn't a good fit for the pack. Maybe now that she's out of the picture you can move on and find a more suitable luna for the pack."
"She's my mate dad. The goddess paired us for a reason. If Shay wasn't right for me, she wouldn't have paired her with me.. Twice.. And if Shay, my goddess given mate, isn't a suitable Luna for our pack then who would be?"
"She's been known to make mistake, Zane."
I frown and look at him.
"What's your problem with Shay? Thinking back, you didn't even really care about the fact that I rejected her. Mom was the one who did the yelling."
"Excluding the fact that she hid my grandson, your son, I might add, from us for five years? Shay has always been to outspoken. Even as a kid. She would pipe up and interrupt grown up conversations. And her parents let her, saying they were raising her to be strong and independent, teaching her that girl's are aloud to have an opinion. Shay has always liked to do thing her way. Taking charge of everything and having it the way she wants it. She would do the same here. She would change the way we do things. Lisa on the other hand is from here. She knows how things are done, and what is expected. I don't see why you couldn't make it work with her. Why you had to keep looking for Shay."
My father says, shaking his head with a sigh and I frown.
"What is wrong with Shay being strong and independent? Maybe it wouldn't be a bad thing if she were to change things. Change is good. And Lisa? Seriously? You think she'd make a good Luna?"
He nods.
"I do. She's from our pack. You've known each other all your lives. The pack knows her. She rejected her mate for you."
"I didn't ask, or wanted her to do that!"
"But she did! She's willing to sacrifice things for you, to be by your side. Will Shay? The first time you reprimand her about here behavior she decided to leave. Not willing to sacrifice her pride for a simple apology."
"Lisa provoked her. She was openly trying to pick a fight and make Shay look bad. I didn't want to cause a scene, as to not embarrass anyone. But Shay felt I didn't take her side. And yes, she didn't handle it very well but considering her history with Lisa, I understand why she acted the way she did. Lisa should have given her an sincere apology, Shay doesn't owe her anything. She didn't do anything wrong...."
"And yet you reprimanded Shay, and allowed Lisa to make her feel unwanted. You allowed another female to openly touch and make passes at you infront of your mate, and the mother of your child. You do realize she's leaving because she thinks you haven't changed and that you're still choosing Lisa over her?"
My mother interrupts me from the door with a scowl on her face.
"And you..."
She points at my dad, her eyes blazing.
"You actually encouraged our son to reprimand Shay but not to reprimand Lisa and put her in her place. Shay's been here one day. And you've driven her away. What the hell is wrong with the two of you?"
"As I was saying, before you interrupted me, mom. Shay didn't do anything wrong, but by listening to you dad, I've once again chased my mate away. And this time I'm not sure if she'll come back."
"Shay runs when things get to hard, we have seen that before. Lisa doesn't. She's been here for Zane for five years eventhough he threw her aside to chase after Shay."
"Are you serious?"
My mother stalks over to my father.
"She is a gold digger. She doesn't care about Zane all she cares about is the title. She wants to be luna. How can you even think she's a better fit to be the next luna?"
"She's from our pack, people know her and she didn't hide the next heir for five years."
"The people tolerate her. If you'd have bothered to hear what people have to say about her you'd know that she's selfish and rude. Things you've accused Shay of.. Because of the things that you've hear about her from Lisa. I know Lisa is your best friends daughter and you promised him you'd look after her when he died. But trying to force her on our son is not the right way. Lisa would make a terrible Luna. And the two of you better fix things with Shay before it's to late."
My dad opens his mouth to argue but my mom raises her hand silencing him, shaking her head.
"No. You are wrong about this. You've been wrong about it since the start. Maybe you should actually put in a little effort and get to know Shay before you condemn her."
She turns to look at me.
"And you.. You disappoint me boy.. I thought you'd get your head out of your ass and be the man she deserves. But you keep screwing up. I should have know to keep you from you father you've learnt a few bad things from him. Shay is hurting. You should talk to her, not hide out in your office like a coward. Talk to her. And pray to the goddess she doesn't reject you again."
My father scowl trying to speak agabut my mother frowns at him again.
"Seriously! You, shut upt. You are just making things worse. This has nothing to do with you, it's between Zane and Shay. So stop meddling."
My mother stormed out of the room leaving just me and my dad.
Before he can say anything I shake my head.
"I can't deal with anymore of this now. But just to make sure you understand. Lisa will never be Luna. Shay is my mate. And mom is right you should get to know Shay beter and stop pushing Lisa and me together. Whether you like it or not, Shay will be my luna. Now, please leave. I have work to do."
I say returning to my seat and ignoring him. After a while I hear him storm off.
I sigh and run my hand through my hair.
I'll give her tomorrow, for her girls day but, the day after that, Ill start to grovel.
I sigh again before starting up my office computer to get some work done..