Bound by Moonlight to my Mates Novel - Chapter 31

Chapter 31 Charlotte I stand outside of my childhood home . It used to be beautiful with light blue paint and brown shutters . Now , the paint is peeling and the shutters are barely hanging on . Lucian wrinkles his nose at my side , but Jake's face remains unreadable . The door creaks like it's protesting my return . The smell of dust and pine hits first , memories packed into every crack . This used to be home , but now it feels like a stranger wearing my childhood's skin. It isn't much , two bedrooms , a bathroom , living room , and a kitchen , but it was enough for my small family .

But now that the three of us stand in the doorway , it doesn't feel big enough . The wallpaper is ripping from the walls , the couch is sagging , and the curtains are faded . It is a painful reminder of the girl I used to be . When I was little , I would sit on my father's lap , and he would tell me about the mate bond and how sacred it was . I believed him . I grew up thinking that life was a fairytale and I would have a happily - ever - after . That naïve little girl is gone . There is no such thing , at least not for me . The men shift beside me , and heat creeps up my neck .

" It's not much , " I mumble , dropping my bag on the scarred table . Lucian steps inside behind me , scanning the place with a look that says he's trying not to be a complete asshole . " Cozy , " he fails at being nice . " If you're into pioneer chic . I shoot him a glare . " You don't have to stay . " " Oh , I'm staying . But I'm not touching that couch . " He drops his bag on the floor and smirks . " Which room can I have ? " My hands clench . " You can have mine ." I gesture to the open door . " It is probably the cleanest .

" He chuckles under his breath and saunters into my room , leaving me alone with Jake . The door slams behind him , and immediately , it is too quiet . Jake leans against the doorframe , arms crossed , eyes tracking me like he's memorizing every line . The anger from earlier is gone , replaced by something warmer , deeper . His wolf hums just under his skin ; I can feel it vibrating against mine . " You grew up here , " he says quietly . " Yeah . " I rub my palms together , suddenly hyperaware of how small my home is , how close he is . " It didn't used to look like this . It was nicer ...

when my father was alive . It isn't as nice as the Southpaw or Blackthorn pack houses , but it was mine ." He shakes his head . " Doesn't matter . " He steps closer , voice lower . " You do . " The way he says it makes my stomach flip . I turn away , trying to remind myself that I am still angry at him for showing up here uninvited . " You should get some sleep . I am sure you had a long day , barging into a pack unannounced ." He closes the distance between us , his back pressing against mine . " Lotte . " I turn , my shoulders brushing against his chest as I do . We're inches apart .