THE HEIR'S MATE

CHAPTER THIRTY NINE

Ophelia's smile broadened as her devoted maid greeted Lukan warmly, the affection in her voice unmistakable. "So, my son finally decides to come home after all," Ophelia quipped her tone light but carrying an underlying warmth. Though her eyes were unseeing, she could sense the guilt radiating from Lukan as if it were a tangible thing.

"Sorry, Mom. I missed you," Lukan murmured, stepping forward to embrace her. His arms wrapped around her in a familiar, comforting gesture, and Ophelia responded in kind. Her embrace was gentle yet firm, filled with the unspoken bond between mother and son.

As they held each other, Lukan couldn't help but notice the unusual setting. His mother, who was seldom outside, was sunbathing in the garden. It was a rare sight, one that made him pause, wondering what had prompted this change. The warmth of the sun on her skin seemed to enhance the serenity she exuded.

"You know, it's not often I find you out here," Lukan remarked, his voice laced with curiosity as he pulled back slightly, still holding onto her hands. Ophelia just laughed in reply, her grip warm and reassuring, before gently pulling him to sit beside her.

"So, darling," Ophelia began, her tone light but probing, "can you enlighten your mother on why I've been hearing rumors about Alpha Luna?"

Lukan sighed, a hint of reluctance in his expression. "Ah, that. Yes, Luna met her mate, accidentally. So our agreement is canceled." He glanced at his mother, gauging her reaction, but her serene smile didn't waver.

"But don't worry, Mom. Luna said she'd help us no matter what, in return for helping her mate train," he added, trying to sound optimistic.

Ophelia's smile remained gentle, but there was an edge of understanding in her voice as she asked, "Is that why you haven't come back home all this time, darling?"

"Yes," Lukan admitted, though there was a hesitation in his voice, a truth he held back. He wanted to tell her how much he'd begun to enjoy being away with all his new friends, but the guilt weighed on him. It didn't seem fair to his mother, who had been left alone in her misery while he was finding some semblance of happiness elsewhere.

"But, I don't know if you've already heard," Lukan continued, his voice dropping slightly, "Luna's mate turned out to be a Sigma. A rare breed that I used to think was just some sort of fairytale you told me all the time."

Ophelia's brow arched slightly, intrigued but patient as she waited for him to finish.

"And now... I don't know if I'm useful there anymore," Lukan concluded, his tone tinged with sadness, the weight of uncertainty hanging over him.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I'll find another way for us to move there," Lukan said, the guilt weighing heavily on him. He felt ashamed for burdening Luna with his problems, especially when she had far bigger concerns of her own.

Ophelia's smile remained gentle as she reached out, brushing her fingers lightly over his cheek. "Don't worry about me, darling. I'm fine being here," she reassured him, her tone soothing. "I'm more intrigued by your new friends. You seem to care a lot about Alpha Luna and her mate." She could hear the fondness in his voice as he spoke of his new friends, a stark contrast to the way he had once spoken about Luna.

Lukan hesitated for a moment, the memory of how distant he had sounded the last time he mentioned Luna still fresh in his mind. But now, things were different. "It's not just Luna and Elias," he began, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he continued. "There's also Finn, who absolutely hates me, even though I kind of enjoy teasing him. Then there's Isolde, who's always bickering with me—she's got this fiery spirit that makes it impossible not to argue with her."