The Wolf’s Fake Mate by Layla Silver

Chapter 17 – Hailey

Even after talking to Waverly, my decision had not been made yet. I still didn’t know what to do about Silas. I knew that he at least deserved an explanation from me, but with how busy we were with the restaurant and the preparations for the wedding, I decided to wait until it was all over and done with. After all, I didn’t know how he would react to my story, and I didn’t want to upset him further.

I certainly felt more at peace and made fewer mistakes at work. Whatever decision I made, I hoped I could keep this job and have a good working relationship with Silas. So while I was professional and cold, I never again said anything rude to him. I knew my boss noted the change in me, but he didn’t comment. Instead, we both threw ourselves into the chaos of preparing a feast for the whole pack and our friends from childhood with whom Gabriella and Laurene had reconnected—a grand total of sixty people. We had to consider the different dining habits of humans, wolves, and panthers, the vegans, the allergies—all the usual stuff—and create a banquet that would put everyone in awe.

It was a busy week. Every day after work, I collapsed and took a nap only to be woken up by my sisters requiring my input on various miscellaneous parts of the preparations.

Two days before the wedding, I heard a knock on the door again, and I gathered myself from my bed. I opened the door expecting to be called down to assist with picking the color of the napkins when I saw Mom standing in front of me. She nodded at me, and I moved to the side, letting her in. Bracing myself for our talk, I sat down on my bed, and she sat next to me.

I had envisioned this conversation many times in my head over the past few days, but I was surprised when she simply moved closer and embraced me. Mom wasn’t one to shower us with physical affection… ever. So close to her, I also felt her wolf stir, and mine recognized its mother too. I felt the bond between us and the unbreakable bond of blood, family, and pack.

I couldn’t help but start sobbing. It was like a gate opened for me. I had cried when I had been alone with my problems, I had cried when talking to Waverly, but now the tears were like a waterfall. I whined and howled and clawed at Mom’s back.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly as she held me.

I resented her for putting me through all this. How could she do that to a child? How could she make me be the mother for my sisters in her stead? But I loved her too. She worked hard for us, provided for us; unlike Father, she had never abandoned us.

“You never told me why Father left us,” I said. I needed answers, and I wouldn’t let her run from them this time. Just like how I wouldn’t run from my fears, she couldn’t turn away from the truth anymore.

Mom sighed. “Your father was human. He never understood what a mate was. He knew I turned into a wolf but was always disgusted with me for doing so. So when I was with him, I didn’t shift. That decision hurt me very much. But then, you, his children, started shifting too. And he couldn’t handle it. So he left. ‘Freaks,’ he called us. He never truly loved this family of ours, so I let him go.” This was the most I’d ever heard my mom say about the subject in the years since Father had left us.

I stared at her. So this was the truth. Father was a speciest. He had never loved us because he couldn’t live with the thought that we were different from him, that we had different natures and had to be ourselves. I had always resented Mom for letting Father go. But hearing about his cruelty and indifference now, would I have felt differently?

“Was Father your mate?” I asked Mom.

“I believed so; otherwise, I wouldn’t have given birth to four of his children. I, for one, was deeply in love with him. So deeply that I was blind to his true nature and suffered to make him stay,” Mom said sadly. “But for the mating bond to truly form, both sides have to recognize each other as the other parts of each other’s souls. I have nothing against humans mating with us. Many such couples work out—Ainsley and Bastian, Teagan and Caelum—for example. But the human has to understand how deep a connection the wolf side needs. I never felt that from your father. He never recognized the bond; I never was the one for life for him.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. For me, it’s in the past now.” She smiled—a rare sight. “And I wish it were all in the past for you too. I knew you had experienced all of this very deeply, but I didn’t realize it still haunted you and would prevent you from finding your own happiness.” Her expression turned serious. “Silas loves you, Hailey. It’s clear as day that you are his sun, the center of his world. He is a panther shifter, so he knows how deep a connection you need as a wolf—because it’s what he desires too. Don’t run from your true mate, love.”

With that, Mom kissed me on the cheek, and the conversation was over as she untangled herself from my limbs. “Think about it,” she said at the door. Then she closed it, and I was alone again with my thoughts.

I was also alone with the revelation that everything was different than I had imagined. Had I nothing to fear from my mate? Could I trust Silas?

***

The day of Gabriella’s wedding arrived, and we all gathered at Sun and Moon. A table was cleared and filled with flowers—my family had finally settled on a mixture of white roses and lilies. Laurene along with Tobias’ brother Michael stood behind the couple as maid of honor and best man. The Alpha Kaia would officiate the ceremony, and someone from the town council was present to record the marriage in the town records. Gabriella, the bride, had a beautiful white dress with a puffy skirt and lots of lace. In her hands, she held a bouquet of white roses. Gabriella and Tobias vowed to each other to be in love forever, through good and bad, and exchanged the rings. The crowd cheered.

When it was time for my sister to throw the bouquet, Waverly pulled me to the circle of girls.

“I don’t think…” I started protesting, but she put a finger to my mouth, silencing me.

“Shh, trust me!” Waverly winked at me, and before I realized what was happening, I was walking in a circle with the other women.

Gabriella turned around and threw the bouquet behind her.

Not entirely in control of what I was doing, I extended my hands and… caught it.

“And the next bride-to-be is Hailey!” Aunt Evangeline clapped, and the other guests cheered. “Figured—she’s already mating after all.”

Above the flowers, I looked at Silas standing in front of the kitchen door, ready for action. He smiled at me, a genuine, loving look on his face. How could he stare at me like that? With so much kindness and affection? Hadn’t I hurt him every day for the past two weeks—first with my actions, then with words, and finally with silence?

When I gazed into Silas’ blue eyes, I knew it then—I had nothing to fear from him. He would never abandon me. He had proven it to me already with his dedication, patience, and… love. Silas was in love with me, and today I was finally sure—I loved him back. And with this love came trust. I believed his promise of forever.

I threw the bouquet on the floor and ran through the crowd. It parted in front of me and let me get to Silas quickly. He caught me, laughing. I cried and buried my face in his chest. “I’m sorry,” I chanted over and over again. “I love you. I’ll never hurt you again. I promise.”

“I trust you, Hailey Morran. I will always be by your side and take care of you in good and bad,” he whispered in my ear, and I turned my head to kiss him. Our lips touched, then he deepened the kiss. The crowd cheered, but I didn’t care that we had an audience.

I would never be alone again. I had my mate with me now, and we would never be apart.