“Yes,” I say. “Human mates, or in general mates who aren’t wolves, will feel the betrayal too, albeit not as intense as a werewolf or lycan might feel it.”
Ye-Joon frowns. “Awesome, Dave deserves the best… and yet he got this asshole as his mate.”
I sigh, rubbing over my head. “Damn it, I need to get some answers soon so I know how I can help Dave.”
“What’s the plan?” Ye-Joon wants to know.
“I’m trying to find out if he is hooking up with others,” I explain. “The only problem is that the asshole knows what I look like.”
Ye-Joon tilts his head. “He saw me too, or I’d happily volunteer to follow him around. However…” he frowns. “I could ask one of my dancer friends. He is trustworthy enough and a kind guy.”
“He’d do that?”
“Absolutely,” Ye-Joon nods. “I’ll just bribe him with dinner.”
“He gets a week of dinners from me,” I reply.
“Good.”
I feel a bit more relieved to know that Ye-Joon is on board with me and ready to help. “Luna Annalise told me she is trying to get more general information about Matthew. As a luna she has contacts.”
“What about talking to his alpha?” Ye-Joon asks.
“Involving the alpha before we know anything sounds kind of wrong,” I mutter.
“You’re right. It’s like you’re going straight to the boss.” Ye-Joon tilts his head. “But we shouldn’t waste too much time.”
“I’m on it,” I tell him. “I’m heading to one of our allied packs and will ask around there. Their alpha, Celine, is also one of Dave’s best friends, and her lune is my alpha’s brother. Luna Annalise announced my visit already and said they are eager to help.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Ye-Joon smiles. “Dave is lucky to have you as a friend.”
I look at Ye-Joon thoughtfully. “Actually, it’s the other way round,” I say quietly. “I’m the lucky one.”
“Maybe you’re both lucky,” Ye-Joon admits.
I spend the rest of the morning with him, having breakfast and catching up on what’s going on in his life before I make my way towards Moon Blood, our allied pack. My luna already gave Alpha Celine a call so that she would expect me.
It doesn’t take me long to reach them. The distance between Red Claw, my own pack, and Moon Blood is around an hour and a half by car, max. The guards there know me and easily wave me through. To my surprise, the lune of Moon Blood is already waiting for me.
“Jun,” Marius smiles at me once I get out of the car. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Same.” I chuckle. “To think I’d say that one day.”
Marius and I didn’t get along well at first, but… people learn and grow, and Marius changed so much over the last couple of months I really learned to appreciate him. He surprised us all when he accepted the luna position without even batting an eye, despite being a lycan prince. It proved to me how much of a good guy he actually is and how sincere in his devotion to his mate.
“Celine is expecting you,” he tells me. “She was worried after that call with Annie. Is everything alright with your friend? With Dave?”
“I’m not sure,” I tell him honestly while he accompanies me to Celine’s office.
He was right, she is already expecting me. Marius closes the door behind us before approaching her and wrapping his arms around her middle. She leans back against his chest. I’m truly happy to see them like this. They had a very rocky start but came so far.
“Alpha Celine.” I bow my head respectfully. “It’s good to see you.”
“I’m thankful for your visit, Gamma Jun,” Celine tells me. “I appreciate that you are worried for our mutual friend. Annie already told me a brief summary, but I’d appreciate it if you went into more detail.”
I nod, sitting down on one of the comfortable sofa chairs. After Marius made sure we all had some coffee, I start to tell them what happened. I tell them everything I know, including Dave’s supposed panic attacks and what Ye-Joon told me.
Marius looks shocked when I finish. “Even at my worst, I would have never betrayed the mate bond. I was a shitty mate,” he admits. “I pushed Celine away as much as I could, but never would I have gone to bed with another woman.”