The Chef's Sick Mate (Book 17 of the Regal Eclipse Pack Series)

Chapter 28

Ana and Gen spent the next half hour explaining everything to her, with Aidan occasionally throwing in comments and answering Melissa's questions. But it was the part that Gen might not actually be sick anymore that seemed to bring Melissa around to the idea. Gen had a feeling Ana and Aidan had known that it would. Apparently Ana had talked quite a bit with Aidan about all of this.

"You want us to come to Pennsylvania and visit?" she asked Ana.

"Yes, and possibly move there. Gen will be much happier in a pack. She'll be able to make friends and maybe find her soulmate," Ana said, smiling at her own soulmate.

"And she'll have no chance of ever getting sick again?" Melissa asked, making sure she understood all of this part.

Gen was still having a hard time wrapping her head around this whole immortality thing that Aidan had patiently explained to them. But it meant that she would for sure be healthy, and the idea of not having to worry about when her next bout of sickness would hit her sounded like music to her ears. She hardly dared hope that this might be true. Hope was a dangerous thing in her world.

Apparently her mother agreed because the next thing Gen knew, Melissa was discussing when they'd leave. She blinked a few times, feeling like she had whiplash. Her gaze darted to Ana and Aidan, listening to them all talk. She felt like a child whose life was being planned out for her. Typical.

But that was the way it had always been, and she felt like if she didn't get out from under her mother, she would always be that child, and never able to live her life. She could understand it before, even though she sort of didn't want to. She'd relied on her mother and her father for everything . She'd had to because she was too sick to not do so. She hadn't had a choice.

Now, though, by joining Aidan's pack, she'd be guaranteed a healthy life for as long as she chose. She wouldn't have to worry about getting sick. She could do what she wanted. That alone was worth it.

Ana was apparently leaving her job. Melissa wasn't thrilled with that, but Ana told her she was okay with it. Gen could tell that her mother blamed Aidan, but Ana assured her that Aidan told her she could keep it if she wanted to.

"I'm ready for a change. I want to be able to focus on my life with Aidan. You know how much time this job takes up. I barely had time for my previous boyfriends."

Aidan hadn't looked thrilled by that comment, and Gen wondered how much he knew. Too much probably. Maybe more than she did. Probably more than she did. She hadn't even known her sister was with him.

But if Aidan was her soulmate, he was the one who would be it for her. The one who would love and protect her always. He was perfect for her.

Gen sighed softly as she watched the two of them together. She could see it in the exchanged looks between them. The touches. Her sister was head over heels for him, and he her. They were perfect together.

Gen was under no illusions that she would ever have a relationship like that. She knew Jules couldn't wait to find their soulmate, but she could. The thought of it terrified her for some reason. She wasn't good with men. She didn't know how to flirt or how to even act around them. Even Aidan made her a bit nervous even though she knew he had no interest in her whatsoever. He only had eyes for her sister.

Gen sighed softly, hoping she didn't completely disappoint Jules when it came to their mate. She couldn't force someone to like her though. Her mate would probably take one look at her and reject her. Even if he didn't, once he learned about all of her issues, he probably would then.

By the end of the conversation, it seemed that they were moving to Pennsylvania. Melissa seemed determined that Gen was joining the pack, and she realized that once again, her future has been decided for her without her own input.

Aidan and Ana finally left, and Melissa turned to her. "How come you didn't tell me about this whole werewolf thing?"

Gen sighed softly. "Lots of reasons, but mainly because at first, I thought I was delusional or hallucinating, and then I thought you'd think I was crazy and it was just better that I didn't tell anyone. Besides, I wasn't even sure how it happened. I thought maybe it was a new side effect of the medication I've been on."

"You have looked so much better over the last few months, though I was afraid to say anything," Melissa mused. "And your appetite has been wonderful."

"I was afraid to believe it," Gen mumbled.

"And now?"

"I'm still afraid to believe it," she admitted. "My wolf has been telling me all this time that I'm fine, but I just can't believe it."

Melissa nodded in understanding. "And how do you feel about moving to Pennsylvania? If you don't want to Gen, we don't have to."

Gen was surprised by that comment, but in all reality, she was excited to go. She was excited about something new and about not having to worry about ever getting sick again. "I'm okay with it. Ana will be gone. Dad's gone." She stopped as another wave of sadness rushed through her. She still couldn't believe he was gone. She also couldn't believe he'd taken the future King of all Werewolves. That was one she'd have to Ana more about at some point. "What's left for us here?"

"I think we both need a change," Melissa said quietly.

"You're already thinking about staying in Pennsylvania?" She'd gotten that much from the conversation from Aidan and Ana.

Melissa looked at her and nodded. "I think we should start packing. I'll get some boxes and we can get everything ready. We've got two weeks at least. I'll give my job notice. Hopefully I can find one when we get there."

Gen knew she needed to get a job too. She needed to help her mother with the medical bills. They were all her fault anyway. "Should we let Ana know?" Gen asked her.

"Yes. I'll text her."

Gen nodded and stood. "I'm going into my room."

Melissa looked up at her and nodded. "Rest dear. Are you still tired all the time?"

"No, usually I feel like I have too much energy," Gen admitted.

"That's good, Gen. That makes me happy." Melissa smiled at her.

Gen walked out of the living room and into her own room, closing the door behind her. She was so glad to be alone. She crawled in bed, pulling her favorite blanket over her as she let the tears fall. She couldn't believe her father was gone. She still felt completely overwhelmed. It seemed like every time she saw Aidan and Ana, she learned something new about herself.

This whole immortality thing was rather insane, and made Gen wonder about it. Did she want to be immortal? The big draw was the fact that she wouldn't have to worry about ever getting sick again, but the fact that she may just be single forever didn't thrill her. She supposed at least she'd get to experience sex at some point. Maybe.

Gen finally cried herself to sleep.

She found herself walking through the woods again but this time, Jules was by her side. "How are you here?"

Jules looked up at her. 'You're dreaming.'

Oh. Well she supposed that made sense given that her wolf was no longer inside her body but walking next to her.

Gen looked up to see a man standing off in the distance watching her. He had dark hair and stubble on his handsome face. She thought maybe blue eyes, but she wasn't sure. He was very beautiful though, if a man who looked like him could be beautiful.

She watched him quietly. Was he the same man she'd seen earlier? She couldn't be sure. But now, she could see him better. He was hot, she noticed. "Who is that?"

'Mate.'

Her gaze snapped back to his, looking over his muscular frame, and she suddenly wanted to get closer. But much to her disappointment, he turned and walked away. Her heart dropped. Even her dream mate didn't want her.