Chapter 67: Can't Back Down

Harry

You should have seen my brother's face just now.

I didn't realize at first how he looked even happier than the day he discovered Jessica as his mate, but that pales in comparison to his happiness now fully bonded with Rhiannon.

I saw how hard he took it when she rejected him. Having rejected my mate as well, I know from experience some of what he may have gone through - though it was different for me than for him, since he was the one being rejected.

But when he entered the pack house holding her hands I saw a smile plastered on his face that I haven't seen in a good while. Not since his ascension ceremony, when he took over as Alpha of our pack. Now theirs.

I couldn't help but to be happy for him. For all our struggles, he is and forever will be my brother and I'll always love him. Hopefully now he'll be less than a knucklehead by her side. Fingers crossed.

Honestly, Rhiannon telling us she's quitting the force was the least surprising news of the day. It was much less shocking than Ares' exit because hers was expected. You can't be Luna and warrior for a different pack. You can't even be Luna AND a warrior for your own pack because of the danger it poses on the lead couple, not to mention any harm to her can damage the succession.

Now Rhiannon is the only person who can carry the next Alpha of the Blood Moon pack, but let's change the subject because this is a little triggering for me. I can't do what she can, though I really wish I could. Just not now, to paraphrase my best friend: medical school comes first.

Speaking of Spencer and Ares, they are yet to rekindle their romance. Ares has not shown up at the pack house and as far as I know Spencer hasn't gone after him or asked him to come here.

He was furious yesterday when he caught Ares' lie, so I spent a good time comforting him and offering my shoulder for him to cry on. Though he was much angrier than sad, as a matter of fact.

Spencer hates lying. But then again, who doesn't?

I, on the other hand, have been doing great with my mate. We're counting out the days until my return to Houston but we're pulling out all the stops for the time that we have left.

And by that I mean Landon has been blowing my mind in bed. *swoons*

I wish the beautiful couple the best of luck, but I'm staying put concentrating on my own mate and let them sort this out themselves. There's literally nothing I can do to assist them at this time. As long as Spencer's life isn't on the line, I'm good to live and let live.

After such a good day out and about yesterday, today I'm staying inside the pack house. I have to start packing up my stuff, though I should probably leave some stuff here for when I return.

In reality, I wish I could spend all day by my mate's side but he can't stop being Alpha on my account. But it's fine, we're making good on our down time. I have no complaints.

After Rhiannon and Aaron's visit, Landon went to his mandatory training session and I returned to our bedroom to organize my stuff and decide what I need to take or leave here. I was distracted by my phone when a text message appeared on it.

My parents have invited Landon and I to have dinner with them on Saturday night before I leave. I was actually thinking of going there anyway so the invitation really came in handy.

By lunch time, I was floating the idea around the table to see what my mate thought of it. I know him coming to the Blood Moon pack is a whole ordeal with his security detail.

"I was thinking we'd go by surprise with fewer warriors accompanying you. I'm sure by now the animosity between their pack and you has died down, especially now that the culprit for your shooting has been caught." - I said, watching Spencer gulp awkwardly at my words.

We're inside the dining hall being served lunch, the usual crowd at the table. Minus Ares, of course, who's still on time out.

"As soon as the Alpha couple learns of my arrival, they'll have to make arrangements and some staff members will be made aware of my incoming visit. Something like that is impossible to keep a secret." - He informed me in a tempered tone.

I frowned at the realization. I wish so hard that I could take my mate back to my parents' house like any other person. Just as Rhiannon has brought my brother to meet her father. This is my right just as anybody else and I hate to feel precluded from this.

"It 's fine, mate. You don't have to come with me. We can say our goodbyes before I go, it's not a big deal." - I said, incredibly sad. I'm so disappointed by this. I understand what happened to him and Goddess knows I wouldn't want to risk his life for any reason, but this is hurting me. I can't lie.

"I didn't say I wasn't going to come. I said it's impossible to keep it a secret. Of course I'll come. It's disrespectful to turn down a dinner invitation from another Alpha, unless I have a very good reason." - He said, smiling at me. I swooned at my gorgeous mate.

"I'd say you have a very good reason NOT to come. They tried to kill you. That's a great reason." - Felicia chimed in, a little peeved at her son. Even Landon's siblings gulped awkwardly from that statement.

Landon looked at his mother who was not a fan of this idea by the expression on her face. Though I probably should've already expected that. I can't say that I blame her.

"Mom, I can't live in fear for the rest of my life. I'm not gonna take any unnecessary risks, but I need to have a good relationship with my mate's family. Especially considering how close our two packs are geographically. There's no excuse for me to refuse their invitation." - Landon argued in a humble tone.

Felicia opened her mouth to say something, but it was interrupted by her son.

"I know there's an excuse. I get your point very clearly. But I'm not gonna be apart from my mate on his last night before college. I refuse to miss out on his company because of fear. So many queer people don't have that kind of relationship with their parents or in-laws. So many people want to be accepted by who they are and their loved ones. I will not be denied." - He stated, defiantly.

I could see the pride behind his voice, his words. I could relate to that feeling very well. He's absolutely right. We're not always guaranteed acceptance by our parents and I feel it would be a disservice for us not to enjoy my folks' support as much as we enjoy his family's.

Felicia was stunned by her son's words, we all were.

"You have to know that it is the furthest thing on my mind to risk Landon's life in any way, shape or form. I love your son and I want to see him healthy and safe. Always." - I told her rather emotionally.

My vulnerability was showing as I spoke to her. But in my heart, I know he is right. We can't live in constant fear. This is our life now and we'll have to face forward.

"I know, Harry. I understand your point, son. But it's my job to worry for you. I'm your mother." - She said, now seeing that he won't be dissuaded from the idea.

"I know, mom. And I love you for it." - Landon smiled at her, basking in her love as the two of them looked at each other. There was a peculiar shine in their eyes. I guess now that she's parenting for two, they have gotten closer. I get it. Their relationship makes me miss my mom.

After a rather eventful lunch, everyone adjourned to their usual routines as I went to Spencer's room to talk to him. I already did what I was supposed to do this morning, so I have time off now.

I checked in with him and he told me he was missing his mate like crazy even though they've been apart for only a day. He told me he could feel Ares' remorse over their conflict. I didn't want to voice my opinion and tell him to forgive him, but I couldn't hold my tongue.

They have a lot to talk about now that Ares is coming with us to Houston and they shouldn't be apart from each other over something silly like that. It's not like he cheated, Goddess forbids.

Later that afternoon, Ares arrived at the pack house and they talked it over for a while before dinner time. In fact, by the time we sat down to eat our final meal of the day, they were already together like nothing happened.

Sort of.

"I'm glad to see you back, my friend." - Landon told him as we began to serve ourselves some roasted meat.

"Thanks, Lan. It's good to be back. I missed my mate." - He replied, turning to look at Spencer, who swooned.

"I missed you too." - Spencer smiled at him while filling up his plate.

"I should have just told you how much you mean to me and how I can never be apart from you. You are my priority, Spencer Jonas. I should have led with that and told you the truth, for that I apologize." - Ares said, humbly.

Oh my goodness. Even I'm swooning over Ares right now. Let alone Spencer.

"It's fine, mate. I get why you were nervous to talk about it. All I wanted was to make sure you did it for the right reasons and not for me. I want you to be happy in the career of your choice." - Spencer spoke wisely.

"Thanks, mate. That's why I want to go with you to Houston. I want to explore my options and find a career that I'm passionate about. That's not being a warrior." - He explained, much to my surprise.

"Good for you, Ares. You go find your bliss. I'm sure your parents won't mind supporting you in the meantime." - Landon chimed in between bites of his food.

"Actually I have some money saved up, Lan. I don't need their financial support. I can take care of myself. I wouldn't be doing this if I wasn't sure I wouldn't be a burden on them or Spencer." - He said in a somber tone.

I'm surprised by this, but I respect him so much for it.

"You would never be a burden to me, but I live on a budget. College is expensive, not that my parents let me want for anything." - Spencer melted at his mate.

"Speaking of college, we're going to the Blood Moon pack on Saturday for a dinner party with Harry's family. Why don't you guys go too and spend some time with Spencer's parents. I'm sure they'd love to have dinner with their son before he goes back to Houston." - Landon suggested, surprising the mates.

They looked at each other surprised by the suggestion.

"That's actually a great idea, Alpha. I was just thinking of that when Harry brought his family's invitation earlier. We can have dinner with my parents and spend the night at my house before we go to Houston. That way we can meet up with Harry on Sunday. We travel together since his father doesn't want to pay for a parking spot in Houston." - Spencer seemed ecstatic about the suggestion, taking a dig at the absent Alpha. Not that he's not lying.

"Fantastic! I look forward to meeting them again." - Ares agreed, sounding enthusiastic.

We cheered at our plans for the weekend as we ate a fine meal together, one of our finals for a Thursday evening. Then we went to our respective rooms and judging by Spencer's face the next morning, all is right in the world again.

Yeah, buddy. Relatable. Landon puts the same smile on mine.

"I can't believe it's already Friday. We should get together with our friends tonight. Have a proper send off for you, Ares. You deserve it." - Landon suggested as we sat down for breakfast.

"On such short notice? Lan, I'm not your mother who can pull off a last minute dinner party..." - Ares rebuked in a humorous tone. Felicia smiled at him.

"It's Friday night and we can meet at the bar. Who needs an excuse to drink? I'm sure they can make the time, except for Rhiannon who's already living in the neighboring town. She came here yesterday, properly bonded and owning her Luna status." - Landon countered in a chipper mood.

Ares wasn't here when she stopped by, so he didn't know that.

"Oh really? Good for her. Another casualty of the mate bond, though I had already seen it coming. She wasn't long to accept her mate after what happened between her and Aaron when Harry went to visit his parents." - Ares spoke with a mischievous grin.

We all understood his innuendo perfectly. It's a little icky for me to comment since he's my brother, but Ares is not wrong there. Once you have a taste of your mate, game over.

"Exactly. I'll text our group and hopefully she can come too if she's around. If not, you can see her tomorrow when you go to the Blood Moon with your mate." - Landon spoke, confidently.

"It's a date." - He agreed, smiling at the prospect.

My social calendar was filling up for my last weekend of vacation. I'm happy for Ares, who deserves to have a night to say goodbye to his friends. Though I'm sure we'll be back in Regency Falls in no time. I know I will, but they might take a while now that they'll be together in Houston. I'm a little jealous of them, not gonna lie.

As we're leaving the dining hall after breakfast, Spencer's phone rang. He answered as we were walking out.

"Hello." - He greeted the interlocutor.

"Yes, this is Spencer Jonas. Can I ask what this is regarding?"

"Wait, what?" - He gasped in shock and we're all watching this play out in curiosity.

"Yes, I can do today. I can be there in an hour." - He continued talking on the phone.

"Thanks. Bye, see you soon." - He hung up the phone.

"What happened?" - Ares questioned him, worriedly. Spencer looks utterly shocked. He took a few seconds to gather his thoughts and start talking.

"That was Mr. Thompson's estate lawyer. He left everything to me in his will. Not only his house, but the money he got from Kevin's insurance policy, his wife's. It's more than half a million dollars." - He told us, perplexed by the news.

All warriors have life insurance policies paid for by the pack. It's their job to risk their lives for our security, but there must be a fail safe for when the worst case scenario happens. Usually, the payout goes to their mate but Spencer and Kevin weren't married, so it went to his parents instead. His father, since Mrs. Thompson had also died leaving her own insurance policy payout.

"Oh my Goddess!" - I gasped in shock.

Ares hugged his mate as he was shaking right now, shocked by the news. Spencer could never guess he would leave him everything, but in the end he really thought of him as a second son.

"Congratulations, I guess." - Landon spoke after a moment, as shocked as we were.

"That means Ares has a sugar daddy now, who has the money to support them both in Houston." - Clark snickered. He too listened in as this happened as we walked out of the dining room.

Ares glared at the teenager for the unwelcome opinion. I guess my friend doesn't have to worry about money now.

"What are you going to do about the house? Are you going to sell it?" - I inquired him, curiously.

"No, I can't do that. He left it for me specifically. I'm gonna rent it for now and someday I hope to renovate it for Ares and I to live in it." - He surprised his mate, who widened his eyes in shock at the information.

"Wow. So you're going to have more money coming in." - I remarked, considering the possible revenue for him from the rental.

"It's the smart thing to do." - He said, processing everything.

"Well played, sugar mama." - I snickered. Clark laughed.

A|N: Get that coin, baby!

The end is near, but not before a final twist yet to come.

Love,

Léo.