It was only after I said the words that I realized I had no idea how much information Walter had given my mother. If she didn’t know my mate was male, I should have shared that detail more delicately.
“I’ve met Korban Keller once or twice. He’s delightful and his smile lights up a room,” she said, immediately easing my worries. “I knew his mother, you know.”
“You did?” I sat down on the edge of the mattress. “How?”
“She was married to the Alpha of a neighboring pack, and I was married to the presumptive Alpha of our pack, so we found ourselves at the same places several times. Korban takes after her in both appearance and disposition. It’s a shame she passed so young. She was a joy, and I never understood what she saw in her mate.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” I said. “Well, not the last part but… you know what I mean.”
Chuckling, my mother said, “Yes, I know what you mean.” She cleared her throat. “How long have you known he was your true mate?”
Shameful though it was to admit I had missed something so fundamental for so very long, I had promised myself never again to be dishonest as a way to save my pride. Owning up to my mistakes was difficult and humbling, but if I expected honesty from my pack as their leader, I had to show the same strength of character.
“I just realized it. All those years… I didn’t know, Mom.”
“During my stay here in Etzgadol, I’ve had the opportunity to talk to their Alpha.”
“I spoke with Zev Hassick too,” I told her. “He has a male mate.”
“Yes, he does, and he told me being raised to believe males could only tie with females made it a fair bit harder for him to recognize his true mate for who he was.” She paused. “I wish we’d known it was possible, Samuel. Your father and I would have helped you. A true mate is a blessing. It’s the greatest honor a shifter can have. I know that. Your father knew that,” she said hoarsely and then cleared her throat. “Being mated to a male wouldn’t have diminished the importance of that, not to us.”
“That means a lot to me, Mom. Thank you.”
“He’s already made an impact on you,” she said. “I don’t remember the last time we had a conversation for this long without you fidgeting like you had ants in your pants and doing everything you could to be done talking.”
I laughed at the amusing and admittedly accurate image she painted. “Maybe I’m doing that ant dance now and you don’t know because you’re on the phone so you can’t see me.”
“I can tell, Samuel. You’re my son and I know you. Besides, the fact that you’re joking about an ant dance instead of being confused about what I meant or acting defensive and saying I’m treating you like a child proves I’m right.”
As my mother was speaking, Korban walked into the bedroom. Immediately my heart lurched. He was so beautiful he took my breath away.
My mother was right. “He’s good for me,” I said as I reached my hand out to him.
Beaming happily, he headed over to me and straddled my lap.
“You’ve always been a good boy,” she said. “You work so much and try so hard.” Her voice broke. “I’m glad you have someone made just for you. You deserve it.”
“I’m not sure about that,” I said sincerely. “But I’ll do everything I can to earn it.” I gazed at Korban and cupped his cheek. “To deserve him.”
“Oh, Samuel. I never thought I’d hear youtalk that way about anyone,” she said, her voice breaking. After pausing for a moment and clearing her throat, she continued.“Now that you’re feeling strong and have your mate, I take it you plan to remain Alpha of the Yafenack pack?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Her tone changed from soft and shaky to firm and determined. It was her “I mean business” voice. “This has been a nice trip, but it’s time for us to come home. Jen and Eddie and I will say our good-byes and be back in Yafenack in a few days. I’ll put together a party to celebrate your mating and introduce Korban to the pack. Nothing formal, maybe a potluck in the backyard. Or a barbeque. I’ll figure it out.”
There was no stopping my mother when she was in one of her determined moods, not that I wanted to stop her. I liked the idea of welcoming the pack into our home and having them meet my mate.
“Thank you.”
“I’ll see you soon. It’s getting late and I need to turn in for the night,” she said. “Give my best to Korban and tell him I’m looking forward to getting to know him.”
“I will. Good night, Mom.”
“Good night.”
Keeping one arm wrapped around Korban so he wouldn’t slide off my lap, I reached over to the nightstand and set the phone down.
“How’s your mom?” he asked as he combed his fingers through the back of my hair and massaged my nape.
