Chapter 72: MIA''S VISIT


    CATHERINE


    As we approached Damon and the unknowndy, I couldn''t shake the knot of jealousy and anger


    building in my chest. My inner wolf was stirring, her instincts ring with irritation.


    "It''s okay; stay calm."


    I said this in an attempt to calm her down, but I forced myself to push down the rising emotions. I


    didn''t want to cause a scene, especially not in front of Damon and the others.


    She clung to Damon''s side, and I felt a surge of possessiveness and frustration. Damon noticed my


    approach and disentangled himself from the woman toe forward and greet us.


    "Hi Cathy, wee back."


    He said he was pulling me into a hug, but I couldn''t bring myself to fully return it. The sight of him


    embracing another woman stirred up a storm of conflicting emotions within me.


    As Damon released me from the hug, he turned to the woman beside him.


    "Mia, this is Catherine, my mate," he said, gesturing towards me.


    "Catherine, this is Mia, my childhood friend."


    Mia''s surprised reaction stung me, and I struggled to mask my feelings behind a forced smile.


    "You have a mate, Damon? Why didn''t I hear about this?" Mia asked, her surprise evident.


    "We haven''t had a mating ceremony yet. It''splicated," Damon exined, ncing at me with a


    hint of concern.


    As she extended her hand, I reluctantly took it, my grip feeling cold and distant.


    "Nice to meet you, Catherine," she said.


    "Nice to meet you too," I managed to say, trying to keep my voice steady.


    Melissa shot me a knowing nce, sensing my unease.


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    "So, Mia, how have you been?" she asked, attempting to ease the tension.


    Mia''s eyes flickered over to me briefly before she responded,


    "I''ve been good, thanks. It''s been too long, Mel."


    "Let''s take this to the living room," Damon suggested, and Mia swiftly clung to his side.


    "I''ve missed you so much, Damon," she said.


    "I''ve missed you too, Mia," Damon responded.


    "We have so much to catch up on," she said, and I hated that I was here listening to this.


    As we stepped into the living room, Damon took a seat, and Mia swiftly upied the spot next to


    him, linking her hands through his arm. I couldn''t help but notice the way she nestled close to him,


    and it stung to see them so physically connected. Suppressing my difort, I chose a different


    ce to sit, trying to hide my dissatisfied expression as I settled in.


    Luna Diana''s eyes lit up with surprise as she joined us, spotting Mia.


    "Mia, it''s been so long! What a pleasant surprise to see you here!" she eximed, reaching out for a


    warm hug.


    "Thank you, Luna Diana. It''s good to see you too," Mia responded with a smile.


    As we all settled in, the room buzzed with the warmth of rekindled friendships. The conversation


    naturally turned to fond reminiscences about the memories Mia and Damon shared from their


    younger days.


    "I still remember the time we all went camping by theke," Mia recalled, her eyes sparkling with


    nostalgia.


    "Damon, remember when you got lost in the woods?"


    Damon chuckled, "Oh, how could I forget that? I thought I was an expert navigator until I got turned


    around, and Mia had to rescue me."


    The room filled withughter as they delved into more shared adventures.


    "And what about the time we tried to bake a cake for my mother''s birthday and ended up with flour


    everywhere except in the bowl?" Damon added, grinning.


    Miaughed. "Yes, that was a disaster, but we had so much fun."


    As they continued to exchange stories, my difort grew. I couldn''t join in; it felt like I was on the


    outside looking in, unable to fully connect with their shared history. It was hard to shake off the


    unease that had settled over me as I observed the bond between Mia and Damon.


    "Mia will be staying with us for a few days."


    Damon announced, and I was so shocked that I choked on my saliva and started coughing.


    "Are you okay, Cathy?" Damon asked with concern in his voice.


    I couldn''t help but re at him. "I''m fine," I managed to croak out, still recovering from the


    unexpected news.


    "Let me get you water," Melissa offered, already starting to get up.


    "It''s okay, Mel, I''ll just go get it myself," I said, trying to maintainposure as I stood up and made


    my way to the kitchen.


    Once in the kitchen, I filled a ss with water, my mind racing with a jumble of emotions. I felt a


    pang of unease at the thought of Mia staying with us. As I sipped the water, I struggled to push


    away the growing difort.


    Returning to the room, I took a deep breath and tried to distract myself by taking a shower.


    Afterward, I tucked myself into bed with a novel, hoping to lose myself in its pages. I was engrossed


    in the story when Damon finally came into the room.


    He sat on the edge of the bed and looked at me with concern.


    "Hey, Cathy, mind if we talk for a bit?" Damon''s voice was hesitant as he approached.


    I closed my book and looked at him; my responses were strained. "Sure, what''s up?"


    "Hey, everyone! I hope I''m not interrupting anything," Mia said cheerfully as she entered the room,


    seemingly unaware of the tension that hung in the air.


    I shifted ufortably, my unease growing as she made herself at home, oblivious to the turmoil


    she had stirred within me. "No, Mia, you''re not interrupting. We were just talking," I managed to say,


    my voice strained.


    Damon nced at me, concern evident in his eyes, before turning his attention back to Mia. "We


    were just discussing ns for tomorrow. We could use some ideas for things to do while you''re


    here."


    Mia''s eyes sparkled with excitement as sheunched into a flurry of suggestions, her presence


    filling the room with an energy that seemed to overshadow my lingering difort. I sat silently, lost


    in my thoughts, as Mia and Damon chatted animatedly, their closeness further highlighting my


    growing sense of unease.


    After what seemed like an eternity, she finally left for her room.


    "How are you feeling? Did you have a good time with Melissa today?" Damon asked, trying to start


    a casual conversation.


    "Yeah, it was fine," I replied curtly, not offering any further details.


    Damon''s brows furrowed as he sensed my reluctance. "Are you sure everything''s okay? You seem


    a bit off."


    I sighed, avoiding his gaze. "I''m fine. Just tired, I guess."


    Damon studied me for a moment before speaking again. "You know you can talk to me if


    something''s bothering you, right? I''m here for you."


    "I know, Damon. Thanks," I said, my tone indicating that I didn''t want to discuss anything further.


    Damon looked unconvinced but didn''t press the issue. "Okay, just remember I''m here if you need


    me."


    Before we could delve into the conversation further, there was a sudden knock on the door, and it


    was abruptly pushed open. Guess who it was.


    Mia


    Again?