What’s The Point
Loriann's POV
The day I've been waiting for all my life is dawning.
After Meg's ceremony, I stayed behind at Blue Blood to help clean up and put things back in order. Zalev assigned me an apartment, which I gratefully used.
Only an hour to go and it's midnight, the hour when I have to find my mate.
Romero is waiting for me in our pack, but like a coward I hide here, unable to face reality. Now I know how Meg felt yesterday when she wasn't sure if Alvarez would be her mate. In her case, her mate still had the confirmation, but Romero has all his hopes pinned on us being mates, it's just a hunch.
'Lori, are you on the way back? We are waiting for you with champagne and everything, the pack has gone all out to celebrate this day with their future Luna'. Sweat breaks out on my brow as I think of what might happen if I go to Eclipse Howl now and someone else lays a claim on me. In that case, the man will have to do it in public, for fear of being attacked by Romero. With many around, he can still be saved.
'I'm so tired, Romero. Let me sleep here for a few more hours and then I'll come home. Meg's ceremony was certainly exhausting.' I hear him sigh, he would have liked to be there too, but since his parents insisted on congratulating Meg themselves, he and Jace had to stay behind.
'All right, love. But if you're not out of there in two hours, I'm coming for you. Don't forget, we have a private jet, I can be there in half an hour.' My goodness, I had completely forgotten that little detail. Maybe it's better that I meet my fate now, without delay.
'I'll let you know as soon as I leave, don't worry. But let me rest now so that I can leave sooner.'
'Lori, I love you. Whatever happens, we are mates. If I'm not the one, reject him. Because I plan to do the same with mine. We have pups to look after'. Again he insists on a promise, though I doubt he will be able to keep his word when he meets his fated.
'We'll talk about it later. Bye, baby daddy.' Grinning, I close the mind wall. But just as I am about to crawl back into my covers, my bedroom door bursts open. Louise and Rachel barge in as if they were my roommates.
And then I see a cake in Rachel's hand and a balloon in Louise's.
"Congratulations, Loriann. Today's the big day. What are you still doing here? Shouldn't you be in Romero's arms by now?" Rachel jumps on the bed next to me, laughing as she maneuvers the cake in her hand.
"To be honest, I'm not really looking forward to meeting him. What if we're not meant to be together? Romero doesn't turn twenty-one for another two weeks and he'll only be able to scent me then," I sigh. I look up and see Louise grinning viciously.
"Karma, Lori. We may have forgiven you, but karma comes first. This uncertainty will continue to eat away at you, taking you to hell and back. And though I hope you are now destined, I am enjoying the pain you are suffering now, girl."
I grab a pillow and, before she can dodge it, I slap her across the face.
"I wouldn't have expected anything else from you. Always wishing bad luck on others. Get a life, girl". I jump out of bed and we start a pillow fight. It is not hostile, but still a test of strength. And, of course, within minutes I have her pinned to the floor.
"Girls, girls, calm down. We have more important things to talk about". Rachel sobers us up immediately and we hop on the bed next to her.
"What do you mean, Rachel? What's going on?" I ask. She looks at me intently, her pale gray eyes giving no hint of her feelings.
"I had another vision, Lori. That's why I came to Blue Blood with the Luna. I need to talk to you." I giggle, glad that Meg is not here to scold her again. The last time this witch talked about her visions, she got into a serious brawl with Meg.
"Speak up, witch. Not everyone has that much patience for your drama," Louise growled in annoyance, earning a sideways glance from Rachel.
"This is not about you, Louise. So you are free to leave if my pace is too slow for you," Rachel snapped back. My goodness! First Meg, now Louise. But now I have to admit that Louise hates witches, a trait of the pack. Many werewolves don't know the difference between black and white witches and that's where the trouble starts.
"Rachel, please. Pretend you don't see her. She gets on my nerves too and the best thing to do is to ignore her, I'm telling you," I advised my friend.
From the pocket of her dress, Rachel takes out a small canister. She shakes it a few times and holds it out to me.
"This is a potion. It will stop any wolf from claiming you and your wolf will not be able to sense your mate. This is a stay of execution for you, Lori". She takes my hand and puts the can into it.
I look at it, dazed.
"But why should I use it? I can always reject my mate if he's not Romero," I point out, but she shakes her head.
"Do you really think he will let you go without a fight? It will be a drama with the whole pack around. Best is to wait until Romero comes of age and you both know who your mate is on the same day," she replies wisely. "Besides, it wouldn't matter if your wolf chose Romero as your mate anyway. No one will believe you until he confirms it. Your enemies or jealous she-wolves will laugh at you behind your back".
I turn to Louise for her opinion.
"Rachel is right. What's the point of knowing if Romero is you're fated? And if Era confirms it, how do you convince the pack? Take the potion, Lori. Postpone the surprise for two more weeks."
My fingers close around the tin before Rachel seizes it again and unscrews it. She rubs it on me and when she's finished, she hands me the remainder.
"Do this every night when you go to bed. Romero won't notice, the scent will blend in with yours"...