Love & Tribulations

Chapter 11

Ezra's POV

"Ezra?", my mother voiced, placing a cup of coffee in front of me. Concern etched onto her face as her eyes trailed over my appearance.

"Sorry, I didn't hear you." I adjusted myself in the chair, crossing my legs in the process. It's been almost five days without a word from Rose. I forgot how exhausting pretending was in the little time that she spent here.

"Are you guys dating now?" She questioned, causing me to choke on my drink slightly. I widened my eyes, placing the cup on the table.

"I...uh I guess", I answered, grabbing a napkin from the table. She had that look again.

"Now...I know that it's not my place to tell you what to do, you're a grown woman. But don't you think you're moving too fast given your circumstances?" She asked, placing a muffin next to my cup.

"What do you mean? You and dad got married a week after meeting each other." I said without thinking. I widened my eyes immediately regretting it but she simply smiled at me in return.

"The moment our eyes met I knew there was nothing that could keep us apart. My father would have my admirers fight his champions for my hand, but the part he always left out is that they only get me if I want them in return." She snickered, sipping her coffee, while I pulled the wrapper off my muffin and nibbled into it. The taste always brings back memories.

I haven't seen her this happy in a while. I just stared at her, wondering how she could talk about them without falling apart. I wish I had her strength. The only thing I'm good at is running from my problems.

"Your father fought bravely for my hand and my father was utterly surprised when I didn't turn him down. We insisted that we be married within a week and my father fought your aunt to be my maid of honor. He was always so extra." My mother expressed, making me smile at the story.

"I wish I had the chance to meet him", I commented.

"You would've loved him", she smiled, placing her cup on the table. She had this troubled look on her face once again. "Your case is a lot different from mine." She stood up and collected our dishes before walking to the kitchen, leaving me to my thoughts. I breathed out, leaning my head into the chair.

The family picture hanging on the wall drew my attention once again. My father was on the right holding my brother on his shoulders while my sister and I gripped onto his legs. My mom had just scolded us for fighting over who dad loved more. She was on the left holding her stomach with our unborn sibling.

After the picture, I remember going right back to having a stare-down with my sister. It was so long ago but it was the last happy memory we had together before everything fell to shit. How did I end up in this place of struggle and despair?

Greif. I feel like I've been here a thousand times over, but I'm not any better at dealing with it. It doesn't become easier the more I experience it, it just gets heavier and harder. Ruthlessly suppressing my feelings once more I walked over to my mother, seeing her wiping her hands in a towel.

"I've got to get back to work, but thanks for today", I announced as she hung the towel on the handle of the oven door.

"Nonsense, I never see enough of you", she hugged me and quickly turned to grab bags off the table. "I can't eat all this." She practically stuffs them in my hand and proceeds to find things to add from the cabinets. She always does this. After I finally escaped I head over to Asher's to drop these off.

"Shut up", I voiced as soon as he opened the door knowing he was going to say something stupid as usual. I walked past him placing the bags on the table.

"You guys always assume the worst from me, I'm innocent", he closed the door, before rummaging through the items.

"Sureee. Make sure you share the cake with Tris this time I don't want to hear it from my mother again. Oh, that's for James", I specified, taking the dish from him.

"Bitch, why does he get a whole ass Lasagna?" He disputed, gesturing with his hands.

"Because he bought the ingredients for it", I explained, taking my phone out to check for anything from Rose. I sighed shoving it back in my pocket, returning my attention to Asher who was looking at me knowingly. "I'm fine Ash, I have to get back to work."

"Sureee" He mocked. I shook my head taking James's food before heading for his office. I may be trying to avoid the possibility that Rose is simply not going to return. The truth is, I've grown accustomed to her, it's a warm, comfortable feeling as if she's always been a part of me.

"Continuing with the conversation we started yesterday I have a few suggestions", James referred as I stepped into his office.

"Ah...nice to see you too", I remarked, placing his food in the mini-refrigerator. "Mother said hi and Asher is probably going to hold a grudge because of your special treatment."

"What?", he asked before he quickly caught on, "the Lasagna, really? It's not even for me, my mother wanted it."

"Not my problem", I shrugged, flopping down on the couch. "You were saying something."

"Yes, but don't get your hopes up", he stated. "Considering we don't have any records of vampires and werewolves being mates, it's not going to be an easy transition, but I think I may have a starting point."

"I'm listening."

"We'll propose an equality act between the species. It's not much, it may not even help, but it's a stepping stone." He informed.

We discussed the matter further and made arrangements to present it to the alphas for the annual assembly where we exchange our problems and views. Me being an alpha for less than five minutes and already making changes, what could go wrong?