Chapter 32

I can't believe I'm doing this.

I raised my fist and gently tapped it against the door.

"Grace," I gently called, "May I come in if you're still awake?"

I waited for a few seconds to give her the opportunity to respond before knocking again. As I let out a sigh, preparing to turn back around, the door opened to a sniffling child.

"Grace," I coaxed, concern clutching at my heart as I bent down to her height. My features furrowed as I looked at her clearly hurting. She had her face facing the floor, her black locks acting like a curtain as they covered her face. "Come here." I said, opening my arms for her.

She didn't hesitate to throw herself in my arms, wrapping her arms around my neck as she hid her face in my neck. A cool drop fell onto my exposed neck as I lifted her up in my arms and stepped into her room, making sure to close the door behind me as I caressed her back in soothing circles.

I remained silent as I sat down on her bed with her still tucked in my arms, rubbing her back with my hand.

"What's wrong, baby?" I asked when she had calmed down.

"Meli," She sniffled as she looked up at me with the glistening, green eyes. "I want Mommy." She cried.

My heart instantly ached as I squeezed her against my chest.

"I'm sorry, Grace," I whispered, "You'll have to talk to daddy about your mommy."

She immediately shook her head, "I want Meli Mommy for Pawets Day." She said, her lips trembling as she looked up at me with pleading eyes. The pain that I felt at her request was like a stab to my heart because I knew nothing about being a mother, and besides, I can't make that decision for Zane. I can't replace her real mother, and I don't think Zane would appreciate me even being a substitute for his child, especially when I know nothing about mothering anyone. My goodness, I still depend on my own mother.

"Gracie," Zane's voice filled the room, instantly turning both her and I's attention to the door. "We can't ask Mel for something like that," He weakly smiled at her, simply breaking my heart. He also saw what I saw. "Not unless she wants to be."

"W-what?" I stuttered as I looked up at him with disbelief.

"I trust you with Grace, Mel. I know that you'd never abandon her, so I know that you'll never hurt her. If you accept being her mother, I'll be happy but it's your choice." He nodded.

Grace silently looked up at me, as though asking me, or rather pleading with me through her eyes.

"I don't know," I admitted, "I know nothing about being a mother. I'm so young. How will I even know that she has everything she needs? I'm going to let you all down." I shook my head.

"You won't, baby. I know you won't. As a parent, you make a ton of mistakes along the way. Sometimes, nothing makes sense. You accidentally hurt your child, and sometimes, you find that you've neglected them along the way. Being a parent is a learning curve, and with Grace, you have both Nolan and I along the way. Where you lack, we'll support her just like you'll do for us. You'll be the best mom, Mel. You're already so amazing with her." He reassured.

"Are you sure?" I asked, my own eyes tearing up.

"I'm 100% sure, my Love." He said as he leaned against the door frame with a wholehearted smile.

"So, Meli?" Grace asked.

"I'll be your Mama, Grace. Now and forever." I happily squeezed her against my chest.

"So, you come to Pawets Day, too?" She excitedly bounced in my lap.

"I'll try to." I giggled.

I hope I don't have lectures on that day.

~~~~~

"Have you ever been here before?" I whispered to Mom as my eyes took in the building. It was a three story mansion in the woods guarded by tall  black gates. Damian couldn't come get us, so he sent a man and a woman to come get us at the house about an hour and a half ago. That's how long it took to drive to these woods. There was a sign that indicated that they were private territory, and the tall black gates made sure that they remained private. We didn't encounter any animals except for birds on the drive here. After about an hour drive through the woods, we reached the mansion, and that's when we started spotting a few wolves here and there. It was very out of the ordinary, to say the least.

"No, Hon. I have never." Mom shook her head, just as a fast walking Damian came walking down the entrance stairs. He wore a white shirt, black overcoat and black trousers. It gave me the impression he had just come from a meeting or something of that nature.

"Hi Ladies," He happily greeted, "Welcome to the pack house, my Darlings." He said as he gave mom a quick peck on the lips before giving me a hug.

"I wouldn't call this a house, Dear." Mom chuckled.

"I'm just happy you're both here." He warmly smiled at us. His blue eyes didn't betray his sincerity as he placed his hand on the small of my back as well as Mom's and guided us up the white stairs.

"Does anyone live here, or is it just for business meetings?" I curiously asked.

"Some of the wolves live here, but most of them live in town in their own homes. It's more of a meeting place for such events and for those who want a break from their busy lives nowadays. However, that's not to say there aren't any who live here. Such as myself." He explained as we walked into the large foyer. The white tiled floors matched the spiraling white staircase in the middle of the room and the white doors around the room. Two, silver, steel doors were tucked in the wall across the room, probably to take people up to the third floor. Especially those who were as lazy and unfit as me.

"We'll use the elevator." He said as we headed across the room.

"Honey, how is today going to work again?" Mom asked the one question I also had. I home there wasn't any drawing of blood. That would be plain old creepy.

"Well, it'll work like a wedding. They'll be a kind of aisle and alter which you two will walk down. My role is like that of an officiate, so I'll be there with you through it all. I'll say the vows which you'll repeat after me, then you'll be a part of the pack. Because you're both humans, you won't have access to the mindlink, so that won't be your source of confirmation that the ceremony was successful. You'll only feel a sense of kinship or familiarity within you." He explained as we stepped into the elevator. He pressed on the button with the number '3' as the doors closed.

"Will we need to say anything?" I nervously asked.

"You're mother as the Luna will be expected to address the pack, but you won't need to way a single thing unless you feel compelled or comfortable enough to, Sweetheart." He reassured with a kind smile.

"I'm nervous." I admitted with a shaky smile.

"I understand, Princess," He said with a warm smile, "But I have no doubt you'll be okay. You have both your mother and I are there to support you all the way."

I silently nodded as I watched the conflict in his eyes. He looked a bit tense, like he wanted to offer me some comfort, but he didn't know how to either. Perhaps he was just not sure if I was comfortable enough to.

My mind went to my moment with Grace the week prior. That moment changed something in me, but it also made me so happy. I know that I have always loved Grace so much, and I have always felt the need to care for her, but opening those doors and having her actually seem me as a mother figure felt like the biggest gift I could ever get in life. I felt beyond proud, lucky, and happy.

"Damian, may I talk to you about something if you have a moment?" I asked. This might be one of the most awkward conversations and moments I'll ever have, but I think it's important I have it.

"Sure, Sweetheart," He nodded, a look of concern marring his features as we stepped onto the floor. His gaze moved down to Mom, who gave him a reassuring smile. That seemed to ease his worries a bit as we walked down the hallway, down to the room at the end of the hallway. "Honey, you can change in here. The staff will come up with a few options and a stylist. Melissa will be in this room." He gestured to the room adjacent to the room at the end of the hallway.

"Thanks, baby," Mom responded, leaning over to plant a quick kiss onto Damian's cheek. "You two better not make each other cry." She playfully teased before stepping into the room and closing the door behind her. She clearly trusted Damian with me, but then again, he is a wolf, so he's the safest person to be around aside from my own mates and, of course, my grandparents. All of them.

Damian opened the door for me, letting me walk in before stepping in after me. He didn't close the door shut as I went to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Is something wrong, Princess?" He immediately asked. "Did something happen on your way here?" He shot as he paced on the carpet in front of me.

"No! No!" I quickly assured him with a shake of my head. "I just remembered that you wanted to introduce me as your daughter today."

"Oh," He nodded in realisation as he plopped down next to me. "Would you lik-"

"No," I shook my head, "I haven't changed my mind about that. I actually wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me so far and for all the kindness you've shown me. I had a moment with Grace last week, and she asked me to be her mother," I smiled. I had told Mom about it, but not Damian. "It made me so happy, and having her call me Mama has been so breathtaking, and I'm always in disbelief. I always ask myself if I made the right decision, but at the same time, I don't want her to ever stop. I'd do anything for Grace, and I know that it's because of our own bond that formed from Zane and I's bond. I know that as it stands, we share the same bond any mother and their child would share, and I can say that it's the most precious of things. So, I wanted to thank you for showing me that it's really not that bad to have another parental figure in your life. It's actually amazing! We haven't had all the moments in the world, but the little things you've done for me have filled any holes of curiousity I had had about having a father. I know that the bond we share is as good as the one I would have with my own father, if not more. So, I wanted to ask you something." I shyly muttered.

"Anything, Princess." He choked up. I looked up at him to see teary eyes and a warm smile. One that made me feel safe and loved.

"Would you be okay with me calling you my dad? Maybe, Pops? Or Papa?" I asked.

He immediately pulled me against his chest in an embrace. "Of course, Honey. I would be honored." He happily laughed as he let me go so he could look at me.

"Great." I let out a light laugh, just as the door opened. My eyes were met with a woman carrying six garment bags and two others. One carried a silver and pink box while the other carried more three boxes.

"Our apologies, Alpha," the woman carrying the garment bags bowed her head, "We came to prepare the Miss." She smiled at me.

"Of course," He nodded in understanding as he got up, leaning down to plant a chaste kiss on my forehead, "Make sure my daughter is happy with what she sees." He smiled at me before leaving the room, giving the ladies a nod on his way out.

"Right," the woman at the front grinned, "Time to make you sparkle like the diamond you are."