PROTECTING HER INVESTMENT

FIBI'S POV 

A knock on the door woke me up. I stretched contentedly. That must be the soundest sleep I'd ever had in my adult life. 

Due to the awkwardness of last night, I had tossed around at first, but this mattress was definitely not made for tossing around. It was so inviting and soothing that I lost all consciousness until this morning.

Suddenly my brain came awake and I bolted upright, remembering what woke me up. Was he back? How would I face him this time? Surely he would still be in a sour mood because of yesterday.

I gave a big sigh of relief when I opened the door and saw the elder queen.

“Good morning, Mother.” I beamed.

“Well well well, someone is radiant this morning. Did he finally come around and show you what the Leo Santos wolves are made of?” Diana grinned.

A burst of red stained my cheeks. I was more mortified that I even understood that she was talking about sex.

I replied shyly, “Mother, he didn't even sleep here. He gave me a death glare and stormed out immediately I returned. My radiance is actually coming from the sweet sleep I had. I never slept so well in my father's house because…”

I caught myself in time. It was clear that Diana liked me, but I didn't know for sure if I could confide in her like that.

She graciously overlooked my hesitation and continued like I never mentioned my situation at home. “I tease, child. I know he spent the night in his office down the hall.”

She led us to a seat as she spoke in a light tone. “Let's see how long he's going to avoid you by running from his own room.” She continued, “Anyway, I only came around to see how you fared. I'm glad you slept well.”

She tried to hide it, but I saw the sadness that crossed her face at that moment. I found out that it hurt my heart to see her in any form of pain.

Obeying my instinct, I reached out and took her hands. “How about you, Mother? How are you?”

She smiled, then sighed. “You're very observant. It just breaks my heart as his mother, watching him all these years as he tortured himself in addition to what life already did to him. He has refused to allow himself heal, both physically and mentally.”

“What exactly happened to him? You said he wasn't always like this, so what turned him into this… this…” I couldn't say the word in my mind.

“Monster?” Diana supplied.

I ducked my head as I turned red with embarrassment.

“Don't worry, I know he acts like a monster. I don't hold your opinion against you. But I also know that he's one of the most loving wolves you can find. He was like that with Lisa before she shattered his trust and left him at the point of death.”

Lisa. I'd heard her name quite a few times by now. The one who abandoned him.

Diana shook her head. “We don't have time to visit past memories now. The present and the future are more important. You see, Diego had a chance to be completely healed. When Lisa left, he stopped taking his meds and this caused his injuries to fester. He resumed them later but grew frustrated after a while when he didn't get better.”

“He has also refused therapy, claiming that he doesn't want anyone witnessing his whole weakness.” She added.

“That doesn't even make sense.” I scoffed before I could stop myself. 

“No, it doesn't.” She agreed. “It's like a dead body hiding its privacy from the person who would embalm it. But that's not even the worst part. I've been trying to make him eat the doctor's recommended diet for years now, but he acts like he actually enjoys being sick and crippled.”

Seeing how much agony Diego was causing his mother, I made a decision right there and then. 

“Please share this recommended diet with me, I'll do my best to ensure he follows it. Also, I need to know what sort of therapy he's meant to be having. In fact, Mother, I think I have to visit his doctors for complete details on his treatment.” I declared.

Diana cupped my cheek tenderly. “The moon goddess was right. You are the she-wolf we need in this family.”

I didn't know what she was talking about, but it warmed my heart anyway.

She promised to set up an appointment for me with the doctor. Our conversation moved on to how much I missed my mother. I wished I could see her even briefly to set her mind at rest that I was okay.

“You can go today and see your mother, Fibi. I will send someone to drive you home.” Diana offered, and my joy knew no bounds.

Good thing Ethan was still around; he had stayed to make sure I was okay… and maybe to get to know Beta Greg better too. I mind-linked him immediately Diana left. “Hey, lover boy.”

He responded, “Fibi! How are you? I tried to come see you later last night, but I was not allowed. Hope he didn't hurt you, I'll kill him if he did.”

I laughed out loud. Through my mind, I told him, “Calm down Ethan! I'm fine. In fact, it's not so bad afterall. I certainly don't miss the beatings I would have been receiving at home by now. I only miss Mother. But guess what, the elder queen says I can go see her today!”

“Awwwn. Wait, you're not planning to run away, are you?”

“No, silly. Where would I run to? Besides the elder queen has been very nice to me, and she's sending a driver to take me.”

“Ah, smart woman. She's stylishly protecting her investment.” He teased.

“Did you just call me an investment? You're so silly.” I laughed.

“So I guess I can go home now that I know you'll be alright. I can come with you, right?” He asked.

“Of course.” I accepted.

Later, we journeyed to Sea Stone Pack. Once I crossed the boundary into pack ground, I was able to mind-link Mother. I told her where to meet me because I was certainly not going to that house I grew up in.

While I waited with Ethan, I experienced something that I thought I never would. I closed my eyes and inhaled for long. The aroma of freshly squeezed orange juice mixed with the heady scent of roasted coconut. I was drawn to the source.

“Where are you going?” It was when Ethan asked this question that I realized I was already moving towards the scent.

I opened my eyes and stared at Ethan. I whispered, “My mate is somewhere around here.”