162 After everything weve shared ? Nathan I leaned back in my office chair , phone pressed to my car , with a smile tugging at my lips as Ls voice filled the room through the phone .


    The warmth of her voice was the only antidote to my endless tasks and preparations for the Harvest Moon Festival .


    I miss you , L , I said softly , sighing with longing that was bing hard to suppress … It feels like I havent seen you for ages .


    I miss you more , she sighed .


    I honestly wanted to return as soon as I recovered , but the High Priestess would not hear a word of it .


    She insists I should wait until after the Harvest Moon S Festival , and then I can go with you ! Yeah , I nodded , ncing at the scattered reports on my desk .


    You wouldnt miss me if you saw this mountain of work Im buried under .


    Everyones running around like their tails are on fire .


    Weve enjoyed a week without any Feral threat ; nothing has been sighted since then .


    So , were preparing for the festival .


    Patrols , food arrangements , the elders seating n its madness .


    Sounds like fun to me , she chuckled .


    Its not different here , though .


    We had some Priestess from the Moon Temple over yesterday , and Ill be joining them in performing some barricade spells on the borders of the White Moon Pack .


    I heard theyve been travelling to packs all over the region .


    Yeah , they came to oursst week .


    Its temporary .


    But you dont have any powers ; how are you helping them ? I wish I knew .


    They insisted , and theyve been giving me this weird stare .


    One of them outrightly asked me if Nanny was my real mom .


    My heart skipped a beat .


    I didnt know how long it would take until Nanny revealed the truth to L .


    As much as Ive been itching to tell her , it wasnt in my ce .


    Still , I was getting anxious by the day .


    The more L blossomed into a woman , the more she was beginning to look like her mother .


    Dont take it to heart … thats how they all are , I finally responded , trying to make light of the situation .


    Anyways , you should brace yourself because when you be a Luna … therell be more work for you .


    The Elders are trying to pass it intow , something about letting women train and being managed by the Luna of every pack .


    They want to ensure everyone can defend themselves against the Feral attack .


    Here , children from ages 6 are enrolled on a -training school that teaches basic defence skills and survival .


    But dont worry , Im sure itll not be as bad as it was predicted .


    Yeah ! I murmured , drawing in a deep sigh .


    Hmm ….


    are you sure you dont want me to take over as Alpha for a day ? You sound tired , L said .


    Tempting offer , but Id rather have you here for other reasons , my voice dropped slightly , < 162 After everything weve shared ? Tempting offer , but Id rather have you here for other reasons , my voice dropped slightly , making Lugh again .


    Her light heartedness eased the tension in my shoulders .


    Speaking of the Festival , I continued .


    Is there anything you want me to bring to White Moon Pack when Ie ? Anything at all .


    There was a pause from her end before she answered .


    Just you , Nathan .


    Thats all I want .


    Ragnar growled with excitement as my heart swelled .


    Done .


    Ill wrap myself in a bow if thats what it takes .


    Weughed together , talking about everything and nothing at once .


    I was happy , and something had changed .


    I didnt know if it was the distance or something else , but L was different to me from how she was before .


    Wed spend hours on the phone talking , theres been no mention of Ramsey … and I could feel the longing in her voice too whenever she spoke .


    Was she falling for me already ? I wonder when the first snow of the year would start , her voice broke into my thoughts .


    Itste this year .


    I know its your favourite season of the year ; dont worry , itlle soon enough .


    As I leaned forward to adjust a document on my desk , the door to my office swung open without warning .


    rissa came into view with a bright smile on her face and a food basket beside her .


    I sighed inwardly , knowing what it meant .


    Oh ! I said , feigning surprise .


    Hold on , Ly .


    rissa just walked in .


    Ls voice was curious but calm .


    Oh ? Whats she doing there ? rissa entered the office fully , closing the door behind her .


    Hello , Alpha , she said cheerily .


    Am I interrupting something ? No , not at all , I replied automatically , though something in me wished Id said yes .


    What brings you here ? She lifted the food basket slightly .


    I was trying out a new recipe and made way too much .


    I wanted to share some with you .


    Do you mind ? And before you say no , I asked your father and your secretary , and she said you havent had anything since this morning .


    I nodded , ncing at the food basket before muttering into the phone .


    rissa brought me some food .


    Really ? Thats so thoughtful of her , L replied warmly .


    Thank her for me .


    L says thank you , I ryed the message to rissa , then added reluctantly .


    I should probably let you go .


    Ill call backter , okay ? Sure , nighttime is better , I should be done with whatever I need to do here .


    Ending the call , I ced the phone on my desk , an ufortable silence settling over the office .


    rissa stood expectantly with the food container .


    I managed to smile as I took the food from her .


    Thank you for his .


    You didnt have to .


    Of course I do .


    I dont mind doing these little things , you know .


    If anything , Im d I can do it .


    162 After everything weve shared ? I suppressed a sigh .


    This wasnt the first time she was bringing me food .


    From the day that I saved her until now , she has brought me food and small gifts, sought me out for small favours , or found reasons to visit my office .


    I tried to discourage it gently without being rude , but it seems she didnt get it .


    Ill try itter , I said , trying to put the container inside the fridge , but she stopped me .


    Im dying to know if it turned out well .


    Can you take a few bites for me ? Please … I wanted to say No , but that might lead to another argument .


    So , I just nodded .


    Okay .


    I lifted the lid from the tray to reveal a steaming te of roast vegetables and herb crusted chicken .


    For one , it didnt look like a new recipe , but it looked appetizing .


    I took a bite and offered her a small smile .


    Its delicious .


    Youve outdone yourself .


    She beamed and moved to the couch in my office , settling in like she belonged there .


    She didnt look like she would be leaving anytime soon .


    Im so d you like it .


    Have you heard ? she asked .


    I closed the lid of the container , hoping I still had a polite smile on my face .


    She was going to be my sister inw soon , so … Heard what ? I asked , frowning .


    Im taking my mothers ce at the Harvest Moon Festival .


    The doctors want her to rest a lot since the baby would be due any day now I blinked in surprise .


    No one mentioned this to me .


    She shrugged .


    I guess they just finalized the decision .


    Itll be nice to represent my mother .


    You know , Ive never been to White Moon Pack , particrly .


    This seems like the perfect opportunity .


    I nodded absently , already making a mental note to confirm the arrangement with my father .


    I returned my attention to the reports on my desk , hoping she would take the hint and leave .


    But her next question caught me off guard .


    Nathan , what exactly is your rtionship My head snapped up .


    What ? Im just curious , rissa said lightly .


    You seem … close .


    with  ? I leaned back in my chair , choosing my words carefully .


    L means the world to me .


    I love her and hope to make her my mate someday .


    rissas smile faltered .


    She stared at me for a moment , then scoffed softly .


    And what about Inc ? I blinked , getting confused now .


    Im sorry .


    What about you ? She stood and came to my desk .


    Nathan , youve always been kind to me .


    All those times you when I asked you what kind of woman you took care of me , the gifts , the attention , the gestures liked and wanted , you practically described me and the … kiss .


    I felt the blood drain from my face as I tried to process her words .


    rissa , I think theres been 162 After everything weve shared ? I felt the blood drain from my face as I tried to process her words .


    rissa , I think theres been a misunderstanding .


    Her voice was growing more insistent .


    Theres no misunderstanding .


    Ive felt this way for so long because you encouraged it .


    I waited for you to make your move , and then L returned , and it was like I didnt exist to you anymore .


    rissa , I said gently , standing from my chair .


    Ive always seen you as a friend like a sister .


    Her face crumpled , and her voice rose in desperation .


    A sister ? How can you say that after everything weve shared ?