Chapter 188

Chapter 188:

She shrugged. “I’ll assume you’re just naive. I didn’t raise a fool, after all p>

The way she said it made my skin crawl. My mom wasn’t cruel, but she could be brutally honest, and this was one of those times. I opened my mouth to argue, but the words stuck in my throat.

“Mom,” I tried again, more firmly this time. “What are you talking about p>

She set her glass down and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. “You’re a temporary fit, Jasmine. I’m saying this because I love you, not because I want to hurt you p>

“What the hell does that even mean?” My voice came out louder than I intended, but I didn’t care.

“You’re not what this Pack needs long-term,” she said simply, like it was an obvious fact. “Ryder loves you, sure. But you’re from a werewolf pack. They’re going to want a Lycan Luna eventually.” I froze, her words hitting me like a punch to the gut. “What? That’s… no. Ryder would never-

“Ask him,” she interrupted, her gaze steady and unflinching. “See what he says p>

I stared at her, stunned into silence. This couldn’t be real. She had to be wrong.

“I know it’s hard to hear,” she continued, her voice softer now. “But this Pack has traditions. They’ve never had a Luna from a werewolf pack before, and they’re not going to change their ways just because Ryder loves you p>

“That is ridiculous,” I snapped, standing up so fast my chair nearly toppled over. “I’m his mate! That’s all that matters!” Her expression didn’t change. “For now p>

Those two words echoed in my mind for the rest of the day.

That night, I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to know the truth. Ryder was sitting in the dining room, finishing up his late dinner. He looked up when I walked in, his expression immediately softening. “Hey, what’s wrong p>

I hesitated, unsure how to even start this conversation. “Do you think… the Pack will ever expect you to… to take another Luna p>

His fork froze halfway to his mouth. “Where is this coming from p>

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“Just answer the question, Ryder,” I pressed, hating how small my voice sounded.

He sighed, setting his fork down. “Jasmine, you’re my mate. You’re my Luna. That’s all that matters right now p>

“Right now?” I repeated, my voice rising with panic.

He frowned, rubbing the back of his neck. “Look, you’re the first Luna from a werewolf pack. It’s… different. Some of the elders have their opinions, but p>

I didn’t hear the rest. My mom’s voice replayed in my head like a broken record. “They’re going to want a Lycan Luna eventually.” I turned and walked out of the room before Ryder could finish. I didn’t trust myself to stay calm.

I mean, how do I stay calm when the truth was right there? The fact that I hadn’t really won yet?

Why was it just so damn difficult to have Ryder all to myself?

First, it was Isabelle’s intervention, and now…

Even when the Moon Goddess decided to step in and make him my second-chance mate, yet another issue had to arise?

He might make me his Luna, but what is a Luna without the elders’ approval? I was crowned, yes, and I was supposed to be satisfied. But I wasn’t—not when my position was at risk. If it was a tradition, I couldn’t be dumb enough to think it would change just because it was my turn, right?

Of course it wouldn’t.

I’m not underestimating Ryder’s love for me, but I can’t stop thinking about the future.

Here I was, all ecstatic about my new role as the Luna. I mean, I was freaking happy and wanted to support Ryder in every way. That’s the reason I pleaded with my mother to stay. But what was the use when I’d end up competing to prove my worth to a pack that only crowns Lycan Lunas?

For the rest of the night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Ryder’s words—his promises—felt hollow.