Page 31 of Her Second-Hand Mate

“Okay, let’s try that.”

Almost an hour later, Margaret had drafted a response.

Dear Lost and Heartbroken,

first of all, let me express how angry I am on your behalf that something that was supposed to be a beautiful time in your life has forever been tainted by the choices of others.

When I suggested using the word “sad,” Margaret had informed me that anger was a good, protective emotion, which I’d never heard before. I was always taught to avoid it.

My utmost respect and admiration go out to your cousin. She is the type of support every female needs in their corner. I hope her mate will soon realize how valuable a wolf like that is, and that she will be kind enough to forgive his stupidity and male pride.

You probably already know this, but no one can tell you what to do. I can only show you the two paths before you, illuminate them a little so you can see better. The choice, however ironic that sounds in the matter of fated mates, rests with you.

Should you choose to enter into a relationship with your mate, keep in mind the following:

He comes equipped with a pup and that pup’s mother, who will probably be a source of problems for your mating.

Are you sure that he will remain faithful with her always around, unwilling to let him go?

Are you sure he will set boundaries for her in order to protect you and your relationship?

Are you sure you will be able to handle feeling whatever it is he feels for her now? Maybe even seeing memories of their years together?

You will not be the mother of his firstborn, nor will you be his first in many other things.

You will either have to remain in the pack that allowed you to be disrespected by your mate (they all knew of your existence, even if they didn’t know you personally), or move elsewhere and have to handle the logistics of your mate still staying in touch with his pup somehow.

Should you choose to leave your mate behind, keep in mind the following:

Unless his Alpha or the King commands him not to, he can follow you across the country, and he can mark you against your will. It is a heinous crime, but it has been known to happen.

Your romantic relationship options will be: unmated wolves who don’t care that they have a mate out there (I already know you wouldn’t want such a male), widowed wolves who don’t care that you have a living mate (probably not many of those out there, and if there are, they probably don’t share your worldview either), or humans, which is just ridiculous.

In essence, you’d be sentencing yourself to a lonely existence without a male or pups, which is fine as long as it’s a choice you make consciously, with all the information available to you.

This choice basically boils down to what you can live with. What will be the least painful option? I am sorry that these are the only choices available to you, and I am sorry that someone else’s selfishness wrecked your world.

I hope you’ll find peace and happiness someday. Please let me know what you’ve decided.

All my love,

Margaret

“Sounds great,” Lynn said, and we all just sank into the couch, each lost in her own thoughts.

“Let’s just hope she’s not a codependent personality. Otherwise, all of this has been in vain,” Margaret said, her mouth full of cupcake.

She ate like someone who’d been through an ordeal and needed to replenish a lot of energy.

“What’s a codependent personality?” I asked, never having heard the term before.

She finished chewing as she tilted her head left and right like she was trying to find the proper words to explain it to me.

“It’s someone who wants andneedsto fix other people’s problems, who will sacrifice themselves in order to fulfill someone else’s needs; someone who suppresses their own emotions and feels worthless unless they’re needed by the other person in the relationship. Such behaviors are learned, and they affect one’s ability to have healthy, mutually satisfying relationships.”

I felt like someone was squeezing my throat and making it hard for me to breathe.

“How would I know if I was being codependent?” I asked quietly and I could feel all eyes on me.

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