Accepted
Again Rain's POV
"Rain, why has your mood turned for the worse this quickly? Just now, you were insanely happy with my surprise. And now you look like you've seen a ghost," Ralph asks worriedly while holding my chin. "It's a full moon tonight. Isn't that what all werewolves look forward to, babe?" I keep my eyes closed, there seems to be a stone in my stomach weighing heavier each second. My thoughts go to my mate, what is he doing now that I'm gone? On dinner or somewhere intimate with another she-wolf?
On these evenings, Jasper used to come back from the cave to spend private time with me.
He always has planned something special for us, like the last time by the water. I push away the panic that tries to overwhelm me. I still miss him a lot, even after two years of separation. A tear rolls down my cheek, now I have no choice but to open my eyes. Ralph deserves an explanation for my strange behavior. "Please forgive me. But in my pack, there is a special celebration going on tonight. I was overcome with homesickness for a moment," I tell him softly. Relieved, he stares at me. "What celebration was that? Actually, every full moon is special to werewolves," he answers me.
"Lupercalia, the feast of fertility and prosperity," I explain briefly.
Ralph looks at me thoughtfully. "You haven't really told me in detail why you left. A werewolf can only survive in a pack. If a rogue or aggressive lone wolf shows up here, you're vulnerable, Rain, he can attack or even kill you without someone noticing," he lectures me. "What happened between you and your boyfriend? A broken love affair is hardly a good reason to trade your familiar surroundings for humans," he states the facts.
This is an excellent time to confess my condition to Ralph.
Postponing this discussion is no longer necessary, we have been together for some weeks now and he has a right to the truth, at least as far as he's concerned. I clear my throat and hold his hand tightly. "Listen, Ralph. I had a good time with you and I noticed you want to deepen our relationship. That's understandable. However, I need to tell you some personal things that should help you decide how you want our relationship to proceed," I begin. His eyes go slightly wide; my serious voice has raised his alertness.
"When I turned eighteen, my wolf did not appear, much to the disappointment of my pack. I was devastated because, technically, that meant I was just human. My two sisters and parents are werewolves, though," I begin. "My mate felt the mate bond two years earlier and claimed me despite knowing I had no wolf. But that wasn't the worst part," I sigh. I let go of his hand, grab my glass and take a sip of my juice. I want to be strong when I would see the rejection or disappointment in Ralph's eyes.
"We were mated for three years, loved each other to the bone, but I didn't get pregnant. My mate's family wanted heirs and like every other man, so did he. But I couldn't give them to him. And every year when this Lupercalia party arrived, I felt I was failing him. So, one day, I packed my bags and left. I set him free, had to give him back his freedom, the opportunity to find another mate who could fulfill his desires," I finish. I look the man in front of me in the eyes. And there is no rejection, no pity or accusation.
"Did he blame you for not giving him pups? You said he loved you," Ralph remarks. I shake my head in denial.
"Not a day did he reproach me. Instead, he always comforted me that the Moon Goddess had a reason for making us wait. He asked me to be patient. But three years is a long time, the pack was impatient," I whisper, staring into the distance as I recall the words of Jasper's sister, Louise. "But I couldn't keep him if I fell short, robbed him of the happiness of being able to have a family of his own." Still Ralph stares at me. "Have you had a medical examination? Maybe there is a simple reason that can be easily solved," he notifies me. I smile, of course he wants to offer me hope in my desperate situation.
"No, the result would leak out in my pack very soon. And I wasn't ready to face my fate. I guess I was too cowardly for that," I admit. "Listen, we can just be friends. You don't have to feel obligated to have a romantic relationship with me. I completely understand," I let him know. "Be friends? Rain, I'm already too far gone, my love for you won't change for something you haven't really proven," he declares dryly. "My parents do want grandchildren, but I'm not the only son in the family. If I choose you, it's because I feel happy with you. Children are a bonus, if the Moon Goddess blesses us, I will be overjoyed to have a family. But you are my main focus".
With sparkling eyes I look up at him.
His words feel so right. Ralph accepts me as I am, this is what I have longed for all those years. No pressure, no pity, I am the most important thing to him and not what my ovaries can produce. Although Jasper offered me this too, the adversarial atmosphere around us constantly blurred his best intentions. But here sits a man before me, claiming to love me. There is nothing to influence his opinion of me, no pack, no family; here is just him and me.
"Thank you, Ralph. I really needed some encouragement. Everyone else made me feel worthless, but with you, everything seems okay," I indicate gratefully. He kisses the back of my hand. The good spirits are back. When the dishes he ordered in advance are served, we eat tastefully while enjoying the cool sea breeze. It is already past midnight when we jump into his car with our shoes in hand....
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