"How is it going, by the way?" she asks. "Between... you and Liam?"
I blush. Oh, damn, are we on the love topic now? I wasn't ready for that... I nod.
"Y-yeah, I guess we're good. We... pretty much sorted out our feelings recently, so... it's a lot easier for me."
Nora smiles, making me even more embarrassed. Why do I feel like a teenager sharing her love life with her mom or her big sister?
She picks up a couple of mugs, and starts boiling some water, nodding with that satisfied smile on her lips.
"I'm glad he found you, Mara. That you're his mate."
"Don't you think it would have been easier for everyone if... I was just a normal werewolf?"
"I never thought of that," she shrugged. "Liam is someone who needs... motivation. He's always tried to protect everyone, and he's pretty stubborn too. He grew up looking up to Damian and Nate. After what happened, I was worried about him... He kept dissociating himself from us, and I feel like we weren't there enough for him. Those three brothers, they all do that same thing where they don't share when something is bothering them."
She hands me a cup of hot cocoa, and turns to me. We both walk to the little kitchen counter to sit at.
"I guess it's part of how they grew up, but... they have a hard time trusting people and they put others before themselves, all of the time. I was afraid Liam would be alone, or find someone that wouldn't suit him."
"You think I... suit Liam?" I ask, surprised.
Nora chuckles and nods.
"I think you do so perfectly, Mara," she chuckles. "You don't realize how much you've helped him since you arrived. This Liam is the Liam I knew when we were younger. The spunky, curious, will-driven Liam. Moreover, you're not just a girl in need of saving, are you? You're even more stubborn than he is, which is pretty amazing in itself. You constantly challenge Liam, you motivate him without knowing. You went and sought him out when he didn't want to be found. Now, every time I see you two together... I just wish he had met you sooner, Mara."
That's it, I'm officially as red as a tomato... I blush, and hide in my hot drink as if it could help justify the heat. Nora's striking blue eyes look like they can see right through me, and they are just making me more and more shy...
"You're cute together," she chuckles behind her cup.
"Th-thanks..." I mutter, dead embarrassed.
Are we really? I keep seeing those couples of wolves together as if they'd always been, and Liam and I might be a bit of... an odd pair, in the midst of that group. Yet, Nora makes it look so easy.
"...I don't think his brothers like me, though..." I finally mutter.
Nora looks surprised, and she puts her cup down.
"Mara, he's their little brother. You're a witch we knew nothing about until recently... Those two just have their big brother instincts kicking in. Don't worry about it. Nate and Damian are like that to pretty much everyone... Elena too."
"You mean Selena?"
"She was known as Elena for a long time. I still call her that from time to time... Anyways. Don't worry too much about first impressions, Mara. You're family to us all now. You're part of the pack. They might be big grumpy Alphas but I swear to the Moon Goddess, Nate and Damian would never let you fend for yourself. Not with everything you did for their little brother, really. Those two are just... grumpy around the edges."
"Grumpy around the edges?" I chuckle.
"You know what I mean," she says with a little wink.
I nod. The truth is, I can't forget how the two older Black Brothers jumped in against Ayesha, just this morning. Their position was very clear. They weren't just defending Liam, they were between me and her too. I touch the mark on my neck, brushing the scar. It's true. I'm part of their pack now... Maybe I've just been too shy to act on it. Unlike them, this wasn't my world to begin with...
"Alright," she smiles, "I know you were worried about that darkness, that part of the curse still inside you."
I nod and put my cup down, licking the chocolate off of my lips quickly.
"Do you think you can help?"
She smiles.
"I may be nicknamed the Black Luna, but my specialty is more about light..."
