Howling Hearts

When the limo came to a halt, I tried to fix myself up as best I could. I then turned to Lucian.

"Do I look OK?" I asked him. He just smirked at me.

"You look hot" He said and I wasn't sure in which way he had meant it, but I shrugged it off. When we exited the limo, I saw we were standing in front of the providence restaurant.

One of the best ones in LA. I knew this would make a good first impression on my parents. When we entered the restaurant, it was completely empty.

The only table that held people was in the middle of the room in a dimly lit area. It was quite strange when thinking that this place is normally packed and hard to get into.

I looked at Lucian, my gaze already asking the questions without having my lips move. He just shrugged and acted innocent. "Scarlet" my mother said in excitement. She walked towards me in a fast-pace which looked more like a tiny run, spreading her arms out, anticipating for a hug to happen.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

She wrapped her arms around me and placed a big kiss on my cheek.

"You look amazing...Oh shoot" She said and started rubbing my cheek. Lucian giggled at the sight of the big red lip stain that was planted on my cheek.

My mom licked her finger and laced her sloppiness right on my cheek, rubbing violently.

"MOM" she held me still and continued rubbing violently disregarding my protest.

"There we go as good as new" She said and I just gave her an annoyed look.

Lucian's mom was not far behind my mom and air kissed him on either cheek before her gaze landed on me and she smiled. "You have a beautiful mate Lucian", she said in an elegant voice.

Even though she wasn't a Luna anymore, she still carried herself as one with elegance and grace radiating from her.

I find it funny that she thought me beautiful when she was the meaning thereof. She was a Brunette with golden streaks in her hair that fell just beneath her shoulders.

Her body was one of a goddess and she was poised and calm. Even though she was probably double my age, she looked ageless. She came closer to me and pulled me into a tight hug.

"Welcome to the family my dear", she said in a warm and welcoming tone. I so wish she wouldn't be a mother-in-law from h* II. When she broke off the hug, she led me to the table where our fathers were having a chat.

When we came closer, I could hear them talking about their stories within the pack and their battles against rogues.

My father looked up at me and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek before turning into the conversation again. Lucian's mom cleared her throat.

"Gabriel" She called out to him.

"This is Lucian's mate. Scarlet" She said smiling, he stopped talking for a moment and took my hand and kissed the top of it. "You are beautiful, my dear" He said before continuing his conversation with my dad.

"Excuse him my dear he has a talking problem and it seems to get worse as he ages" I couldn't help but giggle and it was nice for her to giggle along with me.

When we sat down, Lucian grabbed my hand and moved closer to my ear. "They look a whole lot more scary than they are. Don't let them fool you", he said, and I couldn't understand why he felt the need to let me know that they were already so nice and far from scary. "Scarlet, me and Freya here spoke about your childhood. It seems like your mate here was also dropped off at their pack gates. Did you know?" She said and I looked at Lucian in shock.

I wondered why he hadn't spoken to me about it. He, however, didn't flinch at my glare and continued joining in on the men's chat. I shook my head and took a sip of the sparkling water.

"If you guys didn't look alike I would've wondered if you were related" Freya spoke, trying to lighten the mood. Everyone around the table was chatting about meaningless events.

Like rogues and first dates and asking me basic questions in regards to what I like and didn't like. Everyone seemed to get along. When the food came I was so thankful. It was a stir fry but it had all the colors of the rainbow and was absolutely beautifully plated. I was just happy to finally have something fill my rumbling tummy. As I took my first bite, Freya started speaking.

"So Scarlet, what do you think of Asher's ... punishment?"

The whole table went silent and I choked on my food. When I looked up, I was met with her fierce eyes piercing right into my soul searching for the answer itself.

I finished chewing and swallowed my food slowly.

"Well. It is the worst punishment for a werewolf and I do think it might've been over the top, but I do also understand the reasoning behind it. Me personally I would've locked him behind bars and made sure he never saw the light again" Lucian's grip tightened around my hand showing his displeasure at my answer

"But he tried to r**e you and mark you. a future luna"

"All the more reason that it is unfair for me to have to one day walk into him accidentally and relive those memories."

"Are saying this because you still love him and want to protect him"

"Goddess No I would still feel the same had this situation happened with a diffrent she wolf." Her glare lightened and she giggled a little.

"Good answer" She said with a proud smirk marrying her lips.

"You'll be a great Luna" She continued.

Then I realized why Lucian had warned me. It was a test. I can only hope that I passed.

"So what's going on with the marking ceremony?" She continued and shifted her gaze to Lucian and taking a sip of her red wine.

"Well that's what tonight is really about... I was thinking maybe next Saturday. That gives us time to prepare our schedules and have everyone there that needs to be there."

He shifted his gaze to my parents, waiting to hear their answer.

"A week and half from now sounds good", My father said without making eye contact with Lucian. There seemed to be tension between them and I couldn't understand why.

I looked towards my mom to find out but she just shook her head at me. Telling me its fine. But I could see it wasn't.

My father was always respectful to alphas and always looked people in the eye when having a conversation, so it was unlike him.

And I knew something was wrong.