The Pack's Dinner
Eric's POV
I sighed inwardly as I heard my mother's voice on the other end of the phone, her tone a familiar blend of warmth and persistence.
"Eric, dear, how are you?" she asked, as if she didn't already know.
"I'm fine, Mom," I replied, trying to sound cheerful. We exchanged pleasantries for a few minutes, catching up on family news and gossip. But I knew where this conversation was headed.
"Eric, you're not getting any younger," she said, her voice taking on a hint of concern.
"When are you going to settle down?" She asked.
I rolled my eyes, feeling a familiar frustration. We'd had this conversation countless tis before. "Mom, I'm only 25. I've got my whole life ahead of ."
"Your cousin, Rachel, got married at 23," she countered, as if that was sohow relevant. "And what about that nice girl, Samantha, you dated in werewolf college? She was lovely."
I rubbed my temples, warding off a budding headache. "Mom, Samantha and I didn't work out. And besides, I'm focusing on my career right now."
"Your career is important, but so is building a life," she pressed on. "You need soone to share it with. I've been thinking...there's a wonderful young woman I'd like you to et."
My heart sank. Not again. "Mom, please—"
"Hear out," she interrupted. "Her na is Sarah, and she's from a lovely family. She's smart, beautiful, and kind. I think you two would really connect."
I took a deep breath, trying to remain patient. "Mom, I appreciate your efforts, but I can find my own partner."
"Eric, trust ," she said, her voice softening. "Your father and I just want your happiness. We're not getting any younger either, and we'd love to see you settled before...well, before we're too old to enjoy it."
Her words struck a chord. I knew my parents wanted the best for , even if their thods were sotis overbearing.
"Okay, fine," I relented. "I'll et Sarah. But no promises." I said.
"Thank you, dear!" Her excitent was palpable. "I'll arrange dinner for next weekend. Saturday at 7."
I nodded, resigned. "Got it."
As we wrapped up the conversation, I couldn't help but wonder what Sarah would be like.
Would she be another Samantha, soone I'd date out of obligation rather than genuine interest? Or maybe, just maybe, my mother had finally gotten it right this ti.
I hung up the phone, feeling a mix of frustration and resignation. Two weeks. My mother had given an ultimatum: bring a date to the family dinner in two weeks, or face the consequences.
I flopped onto my couch, scrubbing my face with my hands. Why did my mother insist on ddling in my love life? Couldn't she see I was capable of finding soone on my own?
But deep down, I knew she ant well. She wanted grandkids, and my father wanted soone to pass down his business to. I was the only child, and the pressure was mounting.
I thought about my current social life. There was no one special, just a string of casual dates and acquaintances. I needed soone to bring to this dinner, and fast.
My mind began racing with possibilities. There was Samantha, my ex, but that was a definite no. We'd parted on good terms, but revisiting the past wasn't an option.
Then there was Rachel, a co-worker who'd flirted with relentlessly. She was nice, but I didn't feel that spark.
As I pondered, my phone buzzed with a text from my best friend, Mike.
"Hey, man, what's up?" he asked. "Mom's at it again," I replied. "Wants to bring soone to dinner in two weeks."
Mike knew my struggles with my mother's matchmaking. "Tinder, dude!" he suggested. "Or ask Rachel or Samantha, your ex, out."
I considered it. Rachel was convenient, but was I really ready to pretend to be interested? Just then, a knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. It was my neighbor, Jenna, holding a plate of freshly baked cookies.
"Hey, Eric! I brought so treats," she said with a warm smile.
As we chatted, I realized Jenna was easy to talk to, smart, and beautiful. We'd lived next door to each other for months, but I'd never thought of her in a romantic way. Until now.
Maybe, just maybe, Jenna could be the perfect solution to my problem. "Jenna, would you like to go out with ?" I asked, feeling a surge of hope.
She raised an eyebrow, surprised. "Like, on a date?"
I nodded. "Yeah. And maybe...to my family dinner in two weeks?"
Jenna's smile faltered for a mont before she replied, "I'd love to."
Was I really ready to bring a virtual stranger to et my family? And what if this dinner turned into sothing more? Only ti would tell.
As the full moon approached, I felt the familiar stirrings within . The pack needed a mate, and I, as the alpha's son, was next in line to take the role.
My mother's persistence suddenly made sense. She wasn't just ddling; she was ensuring the pack's future.
But Jenna...I'd asked her out on a whim, and now I wondered if I'd made a mistake.
She was human, unaware of our world. As I stood in my living room, staring out at the moon, my phone buzzed with a text from Jenna.
"Hey, looking forward to our date!" she wrote.
My heart skipped a beat. How could I reconcile my duty to the pack with my growing feelings for Jenna?
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