**Cole's POV**
Why did I call out Jade's name? How can I convince Lila that I don't know who Jade is? I hope she doesn't find out who Jade really is to me.
I was contemplating what to tell Lila when suddenly, one of my bodyguards barged into my room.
"Sir, there's someone here to see you."
"Okay, let him in," I said, and to my greatest surprise, it was my uncle Jacob.
"Hello, kiddo," he said—which is what he normally calls me. "I didn't see you at the meeting earlier. What's wrong?"
"Nothing, Uncle; I'm okay," I replied.
"But you don't look okay to me," Uncle Jacob said.
"I mistakenly called Lila Jade today." He immediately burst into laughter.
"It's not funny, Uncle Jacob!" I protested.
"But it is," he insisted. "Okay, I'm sorry. But are you still thinking about Jade? She's gone, kiddo."
"You don't know that! She might still be alive out there, alone."
"It's okay, Cole. You just have to think about your family, your pack, and Lila. How about proposing to her? She's pretty."
"Yeah, she is, but she's powerless and hasn't even discovered her wolf form yet. I'm just trying here."
"I know, kiddo, but you have to try harder."
"I miss Jade; she was the only person who understood me better," I said.
"I understand you, too." We looked at each other and laughed.
"Uncle, how did Aunt Mary die?"
"Hmm, kiddo, that will be a story for another day. Right now, we have to go fill our bellies." We both laughed.
I could still remember the day Jade came to my rescue when I was bullied at school. She single-handedly took on the boys and carried me home. She was so strong for a werewolf.
"You are in love with Jade, aren't you?" Uncle Jacob asked.
"No, I'm not; we were just friends." My uncle laughed loudly.
"There's nothing to be afraid of, kiddo. It's a good feeling."
"Yes, I know, but she's gone now. I just have to move on, right, Uncle Jacob?"
"Just hold onto your good memories, son. It's going to be okay," he said. "Let's go eat now, shall we?"
"Okay, Uncle." We both stood up and left my room.
We went straight to dinner, and Lila was already sitting there, waiting for us.
"I thought you wouldn't come out of your room," she said. "What are you doing at the dining table? Wanting to eat with us?"
"I thought you were mad at everyone, Lila." She didn't respond.
"That's enough, kiddo. Let's sit down and eat now. I'm starving," Uncle Jacob said.
"Okay, Uncle. Sorry about that." We hurriedly sat down and ordered our food. The maids quickly brought the meals and served everyone, and we began to eat.
"Lila, how was your day?" Uncle Jacob asked.
"It was great," she replied. I looked at her face; it didn't look good at all; she seemed worried.
"What's troubling you, dear? Aren't you happy eating with us at dinner today? Did someone upset you?" I asked.
"Cole, I'm cool. Why not eat your meal? You suddenly care about me now. Why don't you angrily chase me away from the dining room like you did earlier this afternoon on your way to the meeting?"
"Cole, what happened? Is she speaking the truth? Why did you treat her like that?" Uncle Jacob asked.
"Uncle Jacob, it's nothing to worry about. It's just how she behaves—she's always moody. I don't know what's wrong with her."
"You are lying, Cole. You know exactly what's wrong with me. Who is Jade?" she asked again.
"Oh, that," said Uncle Jacob. "Don't worry, Lila. Jade is just Cole's childhood friend. That's nothing to worry about. Eat."
"Are you sure, Uncle Jacob?" Lila asked again, just to be sure.
"Yes, please forget about Jade. Let's eat, everyone."
There was complete silence at the dinner table as we all ate. Suddenly, someone entered the dining room, visibly shaken. It was Holly.
"Holly, what is it? Why are you shaking? You look terrified," Uncle Jacob said.
"Uncle Jacob, there are people here to see Boss Cole," she replied. "They look scary."
"Okay, it's fine. Tell them to wait in the meeting room. We'll be with them shortly."
"Okay, Boss," she obeyed and left.
Who could those people be that frightened Holly? I thought to myself. I would go see them immediately after my meal.
"Are you sure you really want to go see them, kiddo? You know you need some rest," Uncle Jacob said.
"Don't worry about me, Uncle. I have to attend to every meeting I missed."
"That's the spirit," Uncle Jacob said proudly.
After the meal, Uncle Jacob and I left for the meeting room. When we got there, I was shocked to see our family's opposition.
"It's the Moon Shadow Pack! What are they doing here?" I asked Uncle Jacob.
"I don't know," he replied. "But let's find out."
"What are you guys doing here?" I asked bravely.
"Relax, Alpha. We don't mean any harm, and moreover, we bring you good news," one of them said.
"What the hell am I going to do with your good news? Leave at once!" I snapped.
"Take it easy, Cole. Let's hear what they have to say first, okay?" Uncle Jacob su
ggested.
I reluctantly agreed and asked them to sit down, which they did.
"We bring you good news," they said.