Harold felt a new peace about his mother and father, more than he’d ever had before. It was nice to talk to his mom for even the few minutes that the witches had allowed him. He hadn’t gotten any earth-shattering information like Sarah did, just the feeling of wellbeing and peace that he’d never had before.
It was time for them to go back to his people and try to make things right. It wasn’t going to be easy. He had some explaining to do and some apologies. Harold wasn’t as sure as the witches were about his fate. He didn’t think that he would be forgiven, but he had to try. He didn’t want his family to grow up alone like he had for the last few years. Harold knew that there was protection there, and he wanted that for Sarah and the baby she was carrying. He hadn’t told her that she was pregnant. He figured she would find out soon enough.
Sarah came in and she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“You look nervous.”
“Do I?”
She shrugged. “Kind of. I was hoping that you would be the calm one. I have never been around a lot of shifters at one time. They are going to think that I’m a freak.”
He told her that he wouldn’t let that happen. He wouldn’t let anyone say anything about Sarah. She was his and Harold knew that there was no way that he was going to let anything foul come her way. She was the mother of his children and his true mate. It didn’t get any more important than that.
“They are going to love you.”
Sarah wasn’t sure. Her face showed her true emotions, even as she nodded her head like she understood. She didn’t.
“You will have your mom with you. I hope that she is able to keep you calm. She will be in the same position, maybe worse. She wasn’t just shunned, but split up from your father and made to live with knowing and never able to come back. People still remember her. I asked around.”
Sarah held his hand a little tighter. She was trying her best to stay calm, but it felt near impossible. Sarah felt like she was going to be coming out of her skin at any moment. His hand helped her a little, but not much. There was just so much unknown.
***
The trio wasn’t welcomed with open arms, at least not at first. Harold, Sarah, and Carolyn were taken to see the Alpha, his father, but he was not happy with how they treated Sarah. She was manhandled, and he finally had to tell them that she was pregnant with his child, and she would not be touched again.
Everyone there knew how Harold was, and they all stood back some to give her space. The information was relayed to his father, and they were all made to stand in front of him. He was on the closest thing that they had to a throne, and Harold didn’t like the look of it at all.
“So, the prodigal son has returned. I take it that you want to have another go at your old man? You think that I am so old that I can’t take you down?”
Harold knew that his father would go this route. He didn’t blame him, since the last time he’d seen him, he had tried to kill him. Things were different now, though. He wanted him to know that.
“I am not here to fight with you. I have talked to mother and things have been straightened out.”
Harold’s father looked to his wife and sighed.
“I see that Katie has filled your head with nonsense some more…”
“No, my real mother. I know what happened now, and it had nothing to do with you, but your wife.”
Katie was looking nervous, and she started to look toward the door, but two guards had materialized. Harold figured that they were for him but would quickly change routes.
“My stepmother is the one that had my mother killed. She set it up to make it look like you did it, Dad, all so she could take your place. She wanted to rule as queen without an alpha by her side.”
Harold’s father started to get red-faced. Harold knew that he loved his mom, but he didn’t expect the reaction that he got. His father was in his true form and attacked his wife. Harold wanted to stop it, a small part of him did, anyway. He still remembered what the woman had done for him when he was younger, and his father was broken and busy. It was hard to feel that same empathy, though. All of it was because of her.
Sarah didn’t take it so well. She was hiding behind Harold. He told her that everything was going to be okay, but she didn’t believe it. Harold didn’t blame her. His father was viscous.
It took time for the remains to be cleaned up and the blood to be wiped off of the Alpha’s face. Harold didn’t know what to say. His father had always been swift with his justice, but usually he would want some kind of proof first. None was given, though Katie had shown her true self a long time ago. Everyone just ignored her.
“Thank you for telling me, Harold. I knew that it wasn’t right what happened to your mom. It didn’t make sense. I knew that you blamed me for it. I am glad you no longer think that of me.”
Harold was silent for a time. He was still trying to digest what he’d just seen. He was trying to pull apart the feelings that he had for her. It wasn’t so clear-cut, but rather complicated. Harold didn’t know what to say next.
“So, you have brought your pregnant mate to meet me? To approve of?”
Harold shook his head to the last part. “She is to be my mate. No approval is necessary.”
“If you don’t want my approval, then why did you bring her here?”
