Chapter 350
Chapter 350
Ben’s expression was tense, his brows furrowed as he paced restlessly in Luna Sam’s office. Luna watched him with a knowing smile playing on her lips. “What’s got you looking like that, Ben?” she teased gently. “Did you and that special female alpha finally come to some kind of understanding p>
Ben stopped mid-step, his face hardening. “What are you talking about?” he asked, his tone sharp. He didn’t like discussing mates, especially not with someone who didn’t fully grasp the complexities of his situation.
Luna leaned back in her chair, folding her arms with a hint of amusement. “Do you really think I was born yesterday? You’ve been running between packs for a while now. Didn’t it ever occur to you that I’d notice something? Like the fact that your alpha chose his future Beta and Gamma as his liaisons, instead of sending his top warriors. Your Alpha and your best friend—they both know what’s happening. You’ve found your mates, haven’t you p>
Ben’s jaw tightened. “Jason hasn’t found his mate,” he interrupted firmly.
Luna smiled knowingly. “Ah, but I think he has. Every time he visits, he carries the same floral scent-not something typical for a male wolf. And his mood shifts when he’s here, like he’s torn between two worlds. Yet, he seems the most at peace when he’s coming from or going to Black Claw. And don’t even get me started on you and Elara. You can’t be in the same room without staying within a foot of each other. You naturally gravitate toward one another. But when you both overthink it, you resist the bond. I hear you sleep on the floor when you stay together. Even after all this time, neither of you has made a move to fully accept the other.” She placed her hands on her hips, disappointment flickering in her eyes.
If only Luna knew what they had done to their mate before arriving here, Ben thought bitterly. She wouldn’t be so quick to judge them holding back. His wolf stirred inside him, pride swelling at their defiance.
“Not a conversation I’m having with Luna Sam,” the wolf chuckled in his mind.
“It’s complicated for both of us,” Ben admitted, his voice low. “Until this threat is neutralized and we uncover who’s trying to destabilize Elara’s leadership, nothing else should distract us. This situation affects all our packs and the people who rely on us for protection. That’s what matters most right now p>
Luna nodded thoughtfully. “Just remember this-mates exist to stand beside you when you need to borrow or lend strength. They’re meant to make you stronger, never weaker. Too many Alphas forget that. They wait until they feel fully settled in their role before claiming their mate, fearing vulnerability during the transition. But what they should understand is that having your mate by your side during that time actually smooths the process-and makes it quicker p>
Ben frowned. “Why are you telling me this? I’m not an Alpha in transition p>
“No, but if I may be blunt-you’re the closest thing Black Claw has to a Luna right now. You’re a Beta by blood, built to protect your Alpha at all costs. You’re mated to an Alpha, and you will be her protector-the glue holding your pack’s fabric together. You’re already doing it. You step in when needed, and step back to watch when your voice has been heard. You’re guiding and leading, just not in the same way your Alpha or mate would p>
Ben swallowed hard, the weight of her words settling deep inside him. It had never occurred to him that Alpha James, Jeremiah, and even Rayna might be setting him up by sending him here. They wanted him to claim his mate, to let go of Kennedy, to move forward as if she never existed. A surge of conflicting emotions flooded him— grief, guilt, hope, and something fragile like acceptance. He simply nodded, unable to find any other response.
“You know where to find me,” Luna said softly. “If you need help, just call p>
Ben gave a curt nod and stepped out of the Red Fang packhouse, his mind heavy with thoughts that refused to settle. The air outside was cool, the fading light casting long shadows across the ground, but inside him, turmoil churned like a storm yet to break.