The Lunas Second Chance Mate
Chapter 37

Alyson's POV

I was getting a little nervous as the carriage pulled up in front of a lair built like a castle. I remembered the day I arrived at Jacob's lair, only to be thrown in the basement, and my heart beat fast with this memory. Of course, I believed that Dylan would never lock me away, but I was grateful to have a companion, Michelle who was growing loyalties to me, and could be a witness. I didn't feel alone this time.

"I can't wait for you to meet my mother," Dylan said. "She will love you. Most likely my father is away on business, but he's not nearly as much fun anyway."

My nerves were making my hands sweaty. "Are we meeting everyone right away, or do we have any time to clean up and prepare?" I looked at Michelle in my dress, and it didn't fit her. I liked the idea of her support.

"Sure!" Dylan said. "We can introduce you in a bit. I'll have a few servants come and fit a dress for Michelle." It was as if he read my mind.

It was strange having a bunch of lady's maids come to dress us. I wore a new dress to meet Dylan's family- navy blue with lace at the bodice. Michelle wore dark green like a forest which looked amazing with her green eyes.

Dylan introduced us together to his mom. She was in their library, surrounded by books that she studied through thick glasses. She hardly heard us come in at first, so I was shocked by her beauty, she did not look old enough to have a full-grown son- her hair was pulled back from her face and was still light brown with only a streak of gray at her temple.

She looked up and smiled- the same sharp teeth as Dylan, and the exact hazel eyes and deep brow. "Hello! You must be Alyson! And Michelle, nice to meet you both and welcome. I'm Lilla Harris. I'm so excited to have you here." She was calling some servants to bring in tea and treats.

Dylan kissed her on the cheek, "Hello, mother."

"My son, returned. It's been too long, don't stay away so long like that." She laughed and I was surprised how similar they sounded even if Dylan's voice was much lower. Turning to me, "Although perhaps great company has kept you away." "The best," he said.

Michelle was halfway behind me; she hadn't thought it was her place to come and meet the Luna. She was smiling shyly behind me when I took Lilla's hands and bowed a little, paying some respects to her.

"Oh, you are a pretty little thing, aren't you?" She sounded delighted. "Come in and sit, I was just getting some reading done." She had created a circle of nearly twenty books around her, and I had no idea how she could be reading so many at once. "You must love books," I said. All the walls in this room were shelves filled to the brim with them.

"Yes, I love my family first, and books are a close second."

Dylan was beaming, "I'll leave you ladies to your tea. I must write to father."

Lilla seemed less interested in her son and completely focused on me. She hardly blinked when she listened. "Tell me everything. How did you meet Dylan? I heard that you found Michelle on the way, poor girl! I'm so happy you're here too." Michelle seemed a little tongue-tied. She said, "Thank you, lady. Alyson is gracious to invite me." She sat back to listen, and indicating she preferred being in the background.

Lilla was staring at me expectantly and I remembered that she'd asked about Dylan and I.

"I met Dylan at the fight games, but it isn't what you think." I wasn't sure if I should confess my love to Alpha Ryan, after all I'd only just met her.

"Oh," Lilla looked a little disappointed, but she still smiled warmly. "I thought that maybe Dylan had found his mate. You see, he's never brought home any she-wolf before, so it was a natural conclusion."

I nodded, "Yes, but we are friends only."

She was peering at me a little more inquisitively as if trying to read my thoughts and replace what she was looking for. "Ok," she sighed. "Your heart must belong to another then."

I hoped that she would not be offended.

Lilla continued, "I knew I'd like you the moment I saw you, and I wanted you desperately for a daughter-in-law."

Her immediate judgement was so like her son that I couldn't help but smile back at her. "Thank you for the compliment."

"Who's your mother?" She asked.

My mother? Pain wallowed inside me. I had not seen or heard from my mother since I was twelve. She was still the mother of Jennifer, and I always wondered what she thought of my disappearance. What had Jennifer told her? Could I trust that my own mother hadn't betrayed me too?

"Is your mother still living?" Lilla asked with concern in response to my darkening mood.

I wasn't sure what I could say.

"You don't really look like her, but you remind me so much of a friend I had in childhood. It's in your mannerisms and voice, and a little bit in your face and purple eyes. Are you any relation to Brianna Clark?"

My heart plummeted into my feet. I did not want anyone to know where I'd come from, even Lilla Harris, but that was the name of my mother.

"Oh no, Child you've turned white. Are you ok? Did I upset you?"

"How well do you know Brianna Clark?" I asked.

"Not well at all since we were young. I know she was married and mated young, but I lost touch with her at that point. You remind me of her." She said, her gaze was soft but intense. "I believe she had twin daughters, but one of them died."

I had no idea what my face portrayed but I needed to get it under control. "I know Brianna, I'm of Clan Clark. But I have no mother. What happened to her after her daughter died?" I said, not resisting the opportunity to know more, even though I was afraid to give myself away. "After her daughter died, she became very reclusive. I don't believe anyone sees her anymore."

My heart wept. I hoped that meant that my mother did not know. While Jennifer could never pretend to be me, our mother would know the difference between us, I grew concerned about what Jennifer could have done to her to hide the secret.

Lilla sighed with remorse. "I'm sorry if my questions have caused you pain. How sad. You must have lost your mother. Perhaps if I cannot have you as a daughter-in-law... are you sure by the way?"

I nodded, "yes, Dylan is my friend and nothing more."

"That does make me sad, I'm sure he likes you a lot. I suppose as Clan Clark she-wolf you're probably promised to an Alexander per the pact." Her tone shifted, "Well, then I could adopt you!" She said enthusiastically.

"I'm not sure if Clan Clark allows that." I said quietly. I didn't want to draw attention to myself, and I wasn't sure what ceremony it could involve.

"Maybe like a goddaughter then?" She asked. "I supposed if I adopt you, how should that look if you happen to change your mind about my son, but if you were a goddaughter, then no problem. You must allow me to take you under my wing!"

"That sounds lovely," I said sweetly and nodded. Her sincere care and energetic approach was hard to deny. I had come here to be under the protection of the Harris family, and if I were officially the Luna of Featherwall's goddaughter, that could provide me a shield and identity when I return to Crowalt.