My mother snorts. “Please. You know I'm glad my baby is home,” she says, wrapping me in a warm hug that feels like my childhood. Then she pulls back and beams. “And anyway,I don’t have to worry about wringing that hydra's many necks, according to the news. Speaking of which, move—it’s well past time that I meet my new daughter-in-law.”
I step aside, not surprised to see that Maven carefully maintains a poker face as she examines my mother. She's good at pretending to be relaxed, but I notice her hands flex slightly in her gloves.
My keeper is nervous. I want to reassure her, but my mom studies Maven just as intently before a huge smile breaks over her face.
“My gods, do you have any idea how excited I am that I get to have you as a daughter? I've wanted to meet you for so long.”
What now?
Maven seems equally taken aback by the odd comment, but then my mother wraps her in a tight hug. Pure panic streaks across Maven's face before she can stop it.
Fuck.
I shove my mom away, unable to help the growl that rises from my throat as I pull Maven into my arms. My mom and the rest of my family look shocked by my reaction.
But I can't fucking help it. Maven is tensed in my arms, taking measured, quiet breaths. When I try to peer at her face, she shakes her head subtly at me. She doesn't want a scene.
Too bad I've already created one.
It's solved quickly when Crypt snorts. “Were you so ridiculously territorial when you were a newly matched dragon, Commander?”
Good. Yes. That's a good excuse.
My siren dad, Nico, grins. “That she was.”
“She damn near burned down the eating hall at Everbound when a girl hit on me a few weeks after the Seeking,” Oscar adds with a booming laugh. “Don't worry, Bael, we won't get in your mate's bubble again. It's very nice to meet you, Maven,” he adds.
My family all start introducing themselves. I shoot Crypt a grateful look. He rolls his eyes.
Pretty sure this means wearepals now, which is fucking weird.
My mate quietly greets everyone one by one before looking back at my mom. I still haven't let my mate go.
“I take it you aren't considering turning me in to the Legacy Council for a fat paycheck?” Maven checks.
My mom laughs. “Not even remotely. Those pampered bureaucrats can keep their blood money. You five will be perfectly safe here for however long you choose to stay.”
“Thank you, Brigid,” Silas says sincerely.
My mom turns to the rest of my quintet, putting a hand on her hip.
“Don't youBrigidme, Silas Crane. Don't forget I used to change your diapers back when your mothers still thought I was a respectable legacy. I still have no idea why they ever thought that,” she whispers with a conspiratorial grin at Maven.
My mate’s lips twitch. “Respectable is a synonym for boring.”
“I couldn't have said it better myself. Now, I'm sure you five have been very busy ever since Everbound went to hell, butBaelfirehere—” My mother shoots me a reproachful look. “Has been dodging my calls since long before then, so I haven't gotten to hear much about you.”
“The school was on lockdown,” I protest. “Give me a break.”
She turns back to my keeper. “We all want to get to know you, Maven. But first of all, please tell me my son has been acting like a proper match to you all along. I taught him that mates and quintets are more important than anything in the world, but if he was ever a dick about you being thetelum?—”
“Fucking gods, Mom,” I cut in, scowling at her. “Way to just throw it out there.”
“I just want to make sure he has been a good mate to you despite everything,” my mom continues, ignoring me.
Maven is surprised but tips her head back, examining me. I see it in her eyes the exact moment her devious little mind decides to torture me.
“Angel, no. Don’t you dare give me a boner in front of my mom,” I whisper in her ear, quiet enough that no other shifter nearby will overhear.
