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*A/N: Mischievous Alec leaving the scene

Ian's mom made a bee line towards me, a strict look on her face but when she stopped in front of me, her lips smiled brightly. Without saying anything, she pulls me in for a tight embrace, one where I almost couldn't breathe in.

"H-hello, ma'am." I greeted. She pulled away, but her hands remained on my arms. She looked at me from head toe with a big smile. Her eyes twinkled and I could only guess of what went inside her head.

"My name is Dana, no need for formalities, dear." she said smiling. She turned to my right where Ian was standing. He was ready to give her a hug, but she walked passed him and greeted the others.

Everyone noticed it and some couldn't help but be surprised and some could only chuckle. I looked at Ian who only sighed.

I sent him a questioning look, but he only smiled.

Finally, Dana walked back towards me and held my arm. "Well, I assume lunch is ready?" she seemed to ask me. Thoughtlessly, I nodded. "Great! Let's go, I'm starving." She pulled me along with her and all I could do was follow.

'You seem to have gotten your mother angry at you?' I link my mate. Dana was telling me how tired she was from her travel.

I looked back where Ian and the others followed. The others have already started to laugh at Ian's misery. 'She'll get over it soon.' was all Ian said back.

We entered the pack house and Dana led us all to the kitchens. Everyone that met her bowed and she greeted them back.

When she saw Laura, she squealed and ran to meet her. They were starting to tell stories, but Dana quickly dismissed her and told her that they would catch up later.

Dana sat at the head of the table and she made me sit to her right side. Beside me, Ian sat and afterwards, Alec. In front of me was Andrea sided by Elliot.

"It's nice for you to finally visit us, aunt Dana." Andrea spoke. I wondered why she didn't live here with her son. And what happened to Ian's father?

"Well, I would've come sooner if someone actually missed me and asked me to visit." Dana answered. Immediately, we all knew who she was talking about. Tension started to settle in.

I instinctively looked at Ian who seemed unaffected with his mother's answer. Under the table, he took my hand and rubbed it gently.

Hmm... I wonder how his relationship with his mother is, right now, I can't really judge. There seems to be hostility which would make me think that they're not close. But something in me told me that that's not it.

"Well, how is miss Pauline by the way?" Elliot asked, ignoring her comment.

"Oh, she's fine. She's keeping me company while I wait for nobody in particular to call me. Someone seems to have forgotten me, you know." she says again as she started putting food in her plate. Again, she turns to me. "Well, eat now darling. Goodness, have they been taking care of you? If only I knew you were here, I would've been here cooking for you everyday, but I didn't know, now did I?" she laughs sarcastically.

Uhm... okay. I'm getting really confused right now. Is she indirectly guilt-tripping Ian? Cause if she is then, wow.

I saw Andrea grinning at me, holding back her laughter. It seemed like this was a normal situation.

Finally, Ian dropped my hand and turned towards his mother. "Mom, you're being so dramatic."

Dana's jaw dropped as she put her hands over her mouth. "Oh goodness! So you speak! And here I thought you've gone mute."

I let out a small laugh. She's quite the comical one.

"You're the one who wouldn't even look at me." Ian replied as-a-matter-of-factly. The others have already laughed too.

"You're the one who failed to tell me that you've found your mate. You could not even call me and tell me of this? And this is what I've always been waiting for you to happen."

Elliot started to cough and suddenly stood up. Andrea, pretending like she was helping him, stood up too. "Well, would you please just excuse us. It seems Elli is not feeling too well." Andrea said, which was clearly an excuse. I squinted my eyes, but she just winked at me.

A few moments later, Alec stood up also. "Looks like there's a situation in the infirmary, I must go. Please excuse me."

Suddenly, I found myself alone and in between of a quarrelling mother and son.

Dana had kept her eyes on her son, looking really hurt and demanding answers. Ian, on the other hand, looked back and sighed once again, as if this situation was a hassle to handle with.

"Mom, a lot of things happened. I was going to tell you at the right time."

"And when will this right time be, son? Well, if Pauline had not heard the rumours that you've found your mate and that you've already presented her to the pack, I never would've known. Is it so hard to pick up the phone and tell me?" tears have started to form from the side of her eyes and I didn't fail to notice it.

Goodness, I'm no good at situations like these.

What should I do?

Should I say anything?

This is getting awkward, should I step out too?

I do understand where she is coming from, though. She is hurt.

Ian took a deep breath and nodded. I send him a glare, but he looks away from me.

"Alright, mom. You're right. I'm sorry. I just..." Ian couldn't find the right words, but I somehow understood how he felt.

"If you may, m-ma'am Dana." I started. Dana seemed to remember that I was there because she looked at me with a surprised look. Guess, she was getting too emotional. "You may have heard that your son has found his mate... but you probably haven't heard that I was previously an omega." I say, smiling bitterly.

If I felt ashamed that I was an omega before, somehow, I feel a sense of pride now. How could I have let myself to be so down over the fact that I was an omega? Sure, living life as one was hard, but I found strength in being one.

Omegas are seen as the weakest of the pack and are usually mistreated. It was the laws of nature, they were at the bottom of the chain. However, dare I contest that omegas are one of the strongest in the pack.

They go on about their lives, fighting silent battles that pack members would not understand. They are not given anything so they must strive for themselves. They are not accepted so they must learn to accept themselves. Sure, they might not be physically strong, but they have the strongest will amongst many others.

I've thought about it long and hard, being an omega is not something to be ashamed about. Rather, I should take a sense of pride and respect to it.

Not everyone can handle the rough life of an omega, after all.

I watched the shock that painted Dana's face. I tightly grasped my hands under the table. "Your pack is a strong pack, and naturally, your strong Alpha should get an equally strong Luna. However, he had me as his mate. To be honest, we were not at the best of relationship when we met." I said, lightly chuckling at the remembrance of our first encounters.

I even look towards Ian who looked away from me immediately, as if feeling sorry.

"Your son wanted a strong Luna and he had his doubts about me, understandable. You were not the only one he hid me from, he hid from the whole pack until time came and he couldn't no more. I hope this sheds a bit of light to the situation." I end my long monologue.

For a while, we were all quiet. Dana slowly processed the information in her mind, her eyes clouded as if thinking long and hard and when she finished, she smiled.

This time, her smile was as sweet as honey and as warm as daylight. She stood up, bending awkwardly to me and hugged me.

I couldn't help but be shocked as well, I mean... uhm?

"I love you already." she chirped happily when she pulled away and went back to her seat. She clasped her hand and sighed. She picked up her fork to start eating, but then she pointed it towards Ian. "Don't think you're off the hook, young man. Your precious mate might've saved you now, but not later." she said, but quite chirpily. "Well then, let's not put the food to waste and eat."

~

After eating lunch, Dana asked that me to escort her to their family house. I know about this house that she talked about. It's where Ian's family actually resided, but since he was the Alpha now, he much rather stay in the pack house.

I knew the way to it since it was the only house away from the residential area of the pack. It was a few good kilometers away from everyone and who could ever forget such a beautiful mansion?

"I see that my son still refuses to come here." she says as she opens the door. She lets me in and my jaw drops at the place. It was absolutely beautiful! It was luxurious-looking yet simple, grand but minimalistic. The insides of the place was a mix of white, beige and gold. The ceilings were high and just, wow.

"He told me he's got too much to do in the pack house to actually come and rest here. It's more convenient, he said." I explained thoughtlessly as I looked around.

Dana puts her bag down the coffee table and sits down the couch. She motioned me to sit next to her which I happily obliged. "No, he refuses to come here because he remembers his father when he comes here, I'm letting you on on that little secret." she said, smiling.

His dad?

Hmm, they must've been close.

I was still busy looking around the house when I noticed that Dana was merely staring at me.

Talk about awkward.

I instantly felt conscious. I-is there something in my face? Oh no, does she think my face is weird?

"When you said that you and Ian didn't have the best of relationship at the start, you were sugarcoating your words." she said. It wasn't a question, it was a statement. I was startled, I don't know what to answer. I mean, she is right after all.

Shyly, I nodded. Again, she smiled, but this time, sadly.

"Don't worry, I know my son and I'm asking that you forgive him for whatever stupidity he has done. He always puts the needs of the pack first that he's forgotten what his own needs are." she says again.

I smile, that was true. To Ian, the pack was very precious to him. Well, duh, Hannah. He's the Alpha.

"So, how about now? How are things getting along with the two of you?" Dana smiled naughtily and I couldn't help but feel shy.

I looked away from her before answering. I could feel blood rushing to my cheeks. "W-well better than before, I must confess."

She chuckled happily.

"Ah, now that I'm here, you've got nothing to worry about, love." she giggled again and took my hand in hers as if assuring me that I have a friend in her.

I smiled happily. My memories of my mother are hazy, but talking with Dana sure brings me back.

She looked at me again for a while. "Oh right, what is that grey strand of hair? Is that a new trend?"

Oh boy, I don't want to be the one to explain this to her.

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