“I missed you too, mom.” I pulled away and smiled. “Let me at least get fully out of the car.”
My mom scoffed and hugged me tight again. “I came out to warn you.” Her words were whispered into my ear. “Brandon and the Alpha are here. They are certain you are mates and won’t leave until it’s confirmed.”
I pulled back with a smile plastered on my face. “Okay. Let me free. I need to grab my stuff.” I pushed away what she just told me and I trusted that Nix and Megan were keeping their focus on my changed scent. It had become second nature already.
We have it covered. Megan’s voice cut through the worry.
“Ainsley, can I have a word?” Ronnie’s voice was a little shaky, but my mom froze. This was the first time since I could remember that Ronnie even spoke my mother’s name, never mind speaking directly to her.
She used to speak to him when I was younger, but he remained quiet and stoic. But something has shifted. And I think she realized it. Her eyes darted to mine and I think she saw the truth there, and she nearly crumpled.
“Yeah.” Her voice was tight, but she nodded and stepped away from me.
Lynn had already grabbed her bag from the trunk and was waiting patiently for me off to the side behind the car. I made my way around the car and grabbed the rest of my stuff. I wheeled the two suitcases up to the front of the car and then I strapped my new laptop case onto the first case, covering it with my backpack so it was hidden.
I tried my best to ignore the conversation between Ronnie and my mom, but it was hard. I wanted to know what was being said,even if I knew it was just between the two of them. They needed this. Not just for their relationship, but just for themselves.
They were friends before everything happened. And Ronnie was forced to pick sides, when he shouldn’t have had to. Now he was regretting the things he had said, and I’m sure my mom was too. She had to make choices that not only made her hate herself, but also hate Ronnie and my father. She blamed my father for a lot. But when the truth came out, hopefully they could forgive each other.
I was hoping Ronnie and my mom were forgiving each other right now but as I listened to their mumbled words I felt guilty. I shouldn’t be listening. I turned around and pulled my suitcases to where Lynn was waiting and I watched their interactions. Ronnie was saying a lot, and my mom was just shaking her head back and forth.
Finally, Ronnie dropped to his knee and bowed his head. My mom gasped, and I started over. My mother crouched and grabbed his hands. “Get up Ronnie. This isn’t necessary.” She tried to pull him up, but he shook his bowed head.
“It is Ains. I was your best friend, and I turned my back on you. You needed me. You called me and I ignored you. I did it at first because I was hurt that you left. I didn’t understand why you had to run away.”
“You know why I did it.” My mom sounded a little defeated as she said it.
“Soon, I think everyone will find out the truth and I just hope that when that happens, you will forgive me.” Ronnie bowed to the ground and touched his head to the cement at her feet.
“Get up. I’m not your Luna anymore. Whoever Gavin married is your Luna now.” She pulled Ronnie to his feet and looked away. “Please don’t upset her because of me.”
“Ainsley. There has never been, nor will there ever be, a new Luna to the Silvermoon pack.” Ronnie kissed her hand andthen dropped it, leaving her stunned. He nodded my way once and then turned back to the car, slipping behind the wheel and leaving.
“What?” My mom turned to me, but I refused to meet her eyes.
“Let’s go in.” I gestured to my home. “I’ll introduce you to the Alpha.”
I pushed the door open, and a feeling of dread settled in my stomach. What would happen if this didn’t work? What would I do?
You can always reject him. Nix tossed out.
I scoffed as I dragged my stuff in. “Yeah, like rejecting an Alpha would go over well.”
“Rejecting an Alpha? Who would be that stupid?” Alpha Vince’s voice had a shiver going down my spine. I thought I would have more than one second before I had to face him, but how was I to know he was waiting by the door?
“Some wolves prefer a lower rank mate, or freedom compared to the duties and responsibilities that come with mating an Alpha. Specifically Alphas that follow some of the older laws.” Lynn cut in, saving me but painting a target on her back.
“You mean weak and stupid she-wolves?” His scoff had me rolling my eyes before I could stop it, but thankfully I had my face settled before I turned the corner into the living room.
“Alpha Vince. I didn’t expect you here to welcome me back home. I would have brought Gamma Lynn to meet you as soon as we dropped our luggage off here.” I gave a polite smile as I pushed my suitcase further into the room, letting Lynn and my mother follow closely behind me. I gestured toward the staircase and turned to head up. “We will be right down.”
“Nonsense. Come here and greet your Alpha.” His voice cut in and stopped me in my tracks. Nix’s back bristled as he tried to command me, but his Alpha wolf was weaker than my own.
I slowly turned with straight shoulders. I faced Vince with the polite smile still on my lips. “Sure.”
I watched Vince’s eyes tighten when he realized his command had failed. I looked over at Lynn, who was wavering under his aura. Lynn bowed her head. “Alpha Vince, I am here on a mate visa, so the command is unnecessary.” Her words were short, and I raised a brow as I turned back.
“Alpha Vince. Your aura and your Alpha command are making the others in the room uncomfortable. Including your son.” I pointed out that everyone else was sweating, but still on their feet, except for Shannon, who was already on her knees.
