TEMPORARY MATES PERMANENT CRAVINGS novel Chapter 163

One hundred and sixty three

Lisa POV

My father stood across the lane between two stalls, half-turned, speaking to someone I didn’t recognize.

He looked… reduced. The broad presence I remembered had thinned into something quieter. His clothes hung differently. His face had lines I didn’t remember him having.

I told myself to turn away.

I didn’t.

He looked up. At first, he didn’t recognize me. Then his gaze settled, and he blinked in surprise.

“Lisa.”

I turned away. Sasha whispered that I didn’t have to talk to him if I didn’t want to. The guards adjusted their positions without blocking anything.

He stepped closer, looking hesitant.

“You came.”

“It’s a general festival.”

He gave a nod.

“You look…” He stopped himself. “You’re well?”

His eyes dropped to my stomach and stayed there. And maybe my body grew defensive because I knew he was about to say something stupid, and I hated myself that I was giving him more attention than it was necessary.

“I’m not here to fight,” he said.

He looked around, adjusting to the movement around us.

“I know I don’t have the right to ask for anything,” he said. “But what happened between your mother and me… that doesn’t erase you and me.”

I almost laughed.

“How convenient. You didn’t think about that when you were screwing your secretary.”

He didn’t argue that.

“I made a mess,” he said. “I won’t defend it. But please give me a chance.”

I remained silent. He nodded like he expected that.

“She… she left me.”

I didn’t react immediately. That information should have caused me joy.

“Good for her,” I said.

“I deserved that,” he replied.

One of the guards stepped closer without touching me.

1/4

hed and saty thre

My father noticed. “They’ve got you surrounded,” he mumbled.

“They’re doing their job.”

+15 Bcnus

“Listen,” he said, lowering his voice. “This… arrangement you’re in doesn’t sit right with me.”

“There it is,” I said. “You finally got to your point, to mock me and accuse me of greed-”

“I’m not accusing anyone,” he said quickly. “I don’t have the full picture.” He hesitated, like he was choosing his words carefully. “Something’s off People acting… not how they present themselves.”

“That’s vague.”

“It’s all I have,” he admitted. “But I’ve lived long enough to know when something isn’t clean.”

“You’re suddenly an expert on clean’ situations?”

“I’m trying to stop you from getting hurt.”

“I already got hurt,” I said. “You were there for that.”

That landed. He didn’t push past it.

“You don’t trust me,” he said.

“No,” I replied.

“That’s fair.”

Then, against my better judgment, I asked, “What exactly do you think is wrong?”

“I think you’re in something bigger than what you were told,” he said, relieved I hadn’t walked out on him. “And I think the people involved benefit more than you do.”

I didn’t answer immediately, because part of me wanted to dismiss it, and part of me remembered lying in that room, not knowing what had entered my body or how.

“What do you actually know?” I asked.

“Not enough,” he said. “But enough to be uneasy.”

“That’s not useful. You don’t get to walk back in and start planting doubts,” I said. “You lost that privilege.”

“I know,” he said. “But I’d rather you hate me and be careful than trust everything and regret it. I won’t push,” he said. “Just… don’t ignore your instincts.”

“My instincts were fine before you showed up,” I replied.

“Then keep them,” he said.

A voice cut through from behind.

“Lisa.”

I turned. My mother stood a short distance away. Her eyes moved from me to him and back.

“Are you done?” she asked me.

“Yes,” I said.

2/4

he handed and raty three

+15 Bohus

She nodded, then stopped my father’s attempt to speak to her.

“I’ve forgiven you,” she said calmly. “That doesn’t mean I want anything to do with you.”

“I… I understand.”

“Good.”

She turned back to me, signaling that I was coming with her. I stepped away without looking back immediately.. When I did, he was still standing there, watching us go. We moved back into the flow of the festival/The noise returned properly this time, everything layered on top of itself.

“You okay?” my mother asked.

“I’m fine.”

She didn’t press.

“He’s already facing what he created,” she said. “You don’t need to carry it for him.”

We walked a little further before a call went out across the square.

“All expectant mothers to the central platform for blessing.”

My mother glanced at me.

“You should go.”

“I don’t need it.”

“It’s not about need,” she said. “Go.”

I didn’t argue.

The platform sat at the center, raised, with elders already gathering. Women moved toward it in small groups. I stepped forward. The guards adjusted again, keeping distance but closing the gaps around me.

As I reached the platform, I noticed Luna Catherine standing among the elders. She turned as I approached, her face settling into something warm and welcoming.

“Lisa,” she said. “You look well.”

“I’m fine,” I replied after a respectful bow.

Her gaze dropped to my stomach, then returned to my face.

“My grandchild is strong, I hope.”

“He is,” I said.

“That’s good,” she replied. She gestured lightly. “Come. Stand here.”

I stepped into place with the others.

“The pack takes care of its own,” she said, her voice carrying just enough. “Especially when duty is involved. Not everyone understands the weight of that responsibility. But it matters.”

One of the elders nodded beside her.

3/4

The hundred and saty three

+15 Bgnus

“Sacrifice has always been part of our strength,” he added. “Even when it’s misunderstood.”

I kept my focus forward, wondering if that was for me.

Luna Catherine’s tone remained steady. “My daughter has not been able to join us,” she said. “Her health has been unpredictable.”

Sympathy moved through the group.

“The pack’s reputation is not a small thing,” she said. “It must be protected, especially by those entrusted with roles that affect more than just themselves.”

Another elder spoke. “There are those who forget where they come from when opportunity presents itself.”

“And there are those,” the first added, “who mistake compensation for purpose.”

A few glances shifted in my direction. Luna Catherine didn’t look at me yet.

“The blessing,” she said, “is for strength, clarity, and alignment.”

Her eyes met mine then.

“Alignment is important,” she added softly. “Because confusion can lead to complications.”

I held her gaze and didn’t answer.

The ritual moved forward. When it ended, people began to disperse. Luna Catherine stepped closer again.

“You understand your position, Lisa, and what is expected of you.

“I’m aware.”

She nodded.

“What has been provided for you is more than generous. It allows for a future without struggle. It would be unfortunate if emotions complicated something so straightforward.”

I met her eyes.

“If there’s a problem, why not speak to the Alpha?”

Her smile didn’t change.

“Of course,” she said. “Everything returns to him eventually.”

Then she turned sideways.

“Enjoy the festival.”

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