Kades point of view:
The first thing I saw when I stepped through those big doors was her.
She stood at the head of the dining table, resting her hands on the back of one of the dining chairs. She wore a long emerald-green dress. It was meant to look formal, but somehow on her, it made her look like a goddess. Her bright silver hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders. It wasn't the kind of old age silver, but rather a bright glow, like moonlight.
And her eyes.
They were amber. Like warm gold. They looked ancient and stunning at the same time.
and God she was beautiful. Not pretty, not attractive—beautiful. She was so beautiful in a way that didn't depend on age or fashion. It was the kind of beauty that people write poems about. The kind that could start fights or even a war amongst men if it was in the old days. Strong features, full lips, high cheekbones. Just looking at her now made me realize she was nothing like what I had expected from Luna's anxious descriptions.
she was even more beautiful and stunning—stunning enough that one could even mistake her as Luna's sister instead of her mother.
No, i thought to myself as recognition hit me hard. No, not her, anyone but her... "
But it was already too late.
The moment our eyes met across the dining room, the jasmine scent I had perceived before walking in became immensely strong and sharp, hitting me that my knees nearly buckled.
My wolf didn't just recognize her from the scent.
He ROARED.
"MATE!" The word filled every corner of my mind, primal and absolute. "OURS. FINALLY. CLAIM HER. NOW."
At this point, time seemed to slow down. It was like my world shrank until there was only her. I saw her amber eyes widened in shock, turning bright wolf-gold as realization hit her too. Her hand gripped the chair so tightly her knuckles turned white.
She felt it. Oh god, she felt it too.
A shock ran through my whole body, like touching live electricity. Every cell's in my body felt drowned to her with an intensity that made the two years forced relationship with Luna felt weak compared to this powerful pull.
The mate bond wasn't gentle. It wasn't a slow bloom of recognition.
It was MAGNETIC. Undeniable. Overwhelming. A force of nature that couldn't be reasoned with or denied.
And it was pulling me toward Luna's mother.
Selene stumbled slightly with a small loss of balance and before I could think, I stepped forward reaching out to steady her. It was as if my body moved on its own on full protective instinct.
Our hands touched in the process, and sparks. Literal electricity crackled where our skin met. I felt this warmth feeling rushed through my veins
Selene pulled her hand away fast, composing herself quickly, with the control of someone used to hiding her emotions. But I had seen it—the glow that flashed in her eyes, the moment her wolf rose toward me before she forced it back down.
She knew I was her mate. She felt every single thing I felt and she was already trying to hide it.
"Mom, are you okay?" Luna's worried voice broke the heavy silence. She walked to her mother's side, steadying her with a hand on her elbow. "you said you felt dizzy earlier. Maybe we should postpone...."
"I'm fine." Selene's voice was steady, controlled. But I could hear the slight edge beneath it, the way someone sounds when they're barely holding it together. "Just a momentary... spell. It's passed."
She refused to look at me now. she either Kept her gaze fixed on Luna or on Marcus standing by the window. She kept her gaze on anything except the male whose scent was probably driving her wolf as crazy as hers was driving mine.
"Mom, I am guessing you didn't hear me the first time. this is Kade Frost." Luna said with a hopeful smile. "Kade, this is my mother, Alpha Selene Whitmore."
I forced myself to step forward, to extend my hand in proper formal greeting, even though every part of me wanted to touch her again, to feel that sparks. To know it was real and not my imagination.
"Alpha Whitmore. It's an honor to finally meet you."
Her eyes flickered to my outstretched hand, and I saw her jaw tighten. For a moment, I thought she might refuse the hand shake. But her Alpha training kicked in, and she reached out and shook my hand in a firm, professional grip.
The sparks were still there. Softer now, hidden under her strong control—but impossible to ignore. Her amber eyes met mine for one brief second before she released her grip and stepped back.
"Mr. Frost." Her voice was perfectly modulated, giving nothing away. "Luna has spoken of you often. Please, sit. Let's have dinner."
She gestured to the table, taking her seat at the head with the practiced grace of someone who'd been doing this for decades. Luna pulled me to the chairs on Selene's right, positioning herself between us forming a barrier she didn't know we needed.
Marcus sat across from us. His sharp grey eyes moved between Selene and me, watching closely. I couldn't tell what he was thinking—maybe worry, maybe suspicious. As her Beta, he could sense emotional changes better than most. Did he noticed something, I couldn't tell?
Dinner began with all the formal rituals Luna had warned me about. Wine was poured. The first course was served—some kind of delicate soup that I'm sure was delicious but tasted like ash in my mouth. Luna chattered nervously, filling the silences with stories about her week, about friends getting mated, about how excited she'd been for this dinner.
Every time Selene spoke—whether she was answering Marcus's questions or talking politely with Luna—my wolf acted like an idiot. Her voice was commanding but yet gentle, refined but not unfriendly. Every word she said sounded careful and perfect. She had the kind of presence that made people want to listen to her, impress her, and prove herself worthy of her attention.
And she was definitely not giving me any of that attention.
The only time she managed to look at me was when Luna mentioned me, or when she asked me a direct question—the mate bond PULLED harder. It felt like a rope tightening inside my chest, dragging me toward her whether I wanted it or not.
"So, Kade," Selene said, her voice perfectly neutral as she cut into her roasted vegetables. "I heard you're a Beta in the Silver Lake Pack. How long have you held that position?"
"Three years, Alpha Whitmore." I forced myself to sound normal, professional. "I was promoted after the previous Beta retired."
"And you enjoy the work?"
"Very much. The pack is strong and well-led. Alpha Morgan is—" I stopped, trying to find the right words, even though my mind was yelling that I didn't care about pack politics right now. All I could focus on was the way the candlelight touched Selene's face. "he's...he's a good leader. Fair and smart with his strategy."
"Luna mentioned you handle border patrols and training for junior wolves." Selene took a sip of her wine, still not quite meeting my eyes. "Those are significant responsibilities for someone your age."
There it was—a subtle reminder of the age gap between us. Not Luna and me. Me and her.
"I'm twenty-four," I said, sounding more defensive than I meant to. "So I am old enough to handle my duties."
"I didn't mean to question your ability." she said this time she looking directly at me with those amber eyes that nearly took my breath. "I was only saying that Silver Lake must value you highly to grant such responsibility to a young Beta."
Under the table, Luna grabbed my hand, squeezing it encouragingly. I felt nothing, no connection, just the familiar warmth of someone I cared about but would never love the way she deserved.
But when my foot accidentally brushed against Selene's under the table—just the briefest contact through our shoes—we both pulled away instantly like we'd been electrocuted. A sharp jolt ran up my leg, and my wolf pushed forward with a low, possessive growl.
I saw Selene's eyes flash gold for a second before she controlled herself again.
"Luna tells me you two have been together for two years," Selene said suddenly, changing the topic with the calm skill of someone used to diplomacy.
Luna stiffened beside me. "We wanted to make sure we were ready before making anything official. Right, Kade?"
"Right," I said immediately, even though the lie felt heavy and bitter in my mouth
"And now you feel ready?" Selene asked. She was looking at Luna, but I could feel her attention on me like a touch. "Ready to complete the bonding?"
her words hung in the air, and I didn't know how to answer.
Selene's hand tightened around her fork for a moment before she forced herself to relax. "Love is important," she said slowly. "But a true mate bond is sacred. Irreplaceable. Have you felt..." She stopped, swallowing hard. "Has your wolf recognized Luna as your mate, Kade?"
The question stabbed me straight in the chest.
Luna was looking at me now, waiting for my answer with hopeful, desperate eyes.
Marcus was watching too, with a weird suspicious frown expression on his face.
And Selene....god, She was staring at her plate like it held the secrets of the universe, her knuckles white around her fork.
My throat tightened. I didn't know how I would answer that, I mean what could I say? That my wolf had never accepted Luna? That he'd been searching for two years until Saturday night when he'd finally found her—and she turned out to be her mom?
"My wolf cares for Luna," I said finally, the words came out weak and empty.
It wasn't an answer, and everyone at the table knew it.
Luna's smile faltered. Marcus's frown deepened. And Selene—Selene looked like she wanted to bolt from the room.
Dinner dragged on painfully slow after that. More food came, but no one really cared. The conversation felt forced and awkward. Luna tried to keep things cheerful by talking about wedding traditions, how beautiful the last mating ceremony was, and what she hoped our future would look like.
Every word felt like torture.
I could feel how tense Selene was, i could smell how her scent changed every time Luna talked about bonding ceremonies, the future, or mates. I even saw the way Selene's jaw tightened when Luna leaned over to kiss my cheek, thanking me for being so patient with her nerves.
The housemaids brought coffee as dessert—a fancy blend that probably cost more than my rent. Luna continued, talking about her friend Mara. She spoked of how excited she was to become an aunt soon. Marcus nodded politely, but his gaze kept flicking to Selene, worry etched into his expression.
And then, without warning, Selene stood.
Her movement was sharp and precise, cutting the conversation in half. She placed her napkin on the table with deliberate care. Her face was calm, unreadable, but her amber eyes betrayed the storm beneath.
"Excuse me," she said, her voice steady despite the tension I could sense. "I have Alpha business to attend to—reports that can't wait."
"Mom, but we haven't had dessert—" Luna protested.
"Enjoy it without me. Luna. I don't know if would be back in time so feel free to walk Kade out when you're ready." Selene's gaze lingered on me for a moment before turned to walked away gliding out of the dining room with the regal bearing of a woman who had spent most of her life commanding respect. The door clicked softly behind her, and for the first time all evening, I could breathe.
The pressure that had been building in my chest all evening eased slightly—not gone, but manageable. Without her physical presence, the mate bond wasn't screaming quite so loudly.
Luna leaned against me, looking relieved. "That went well! I think she liked you. She only leaves dinner early when she feels comfortable with the guests. If she didn't approve, she would've stayed and questioned you all night."