James’ fingers interlace with mine, and he squeezes in a sign of unity, and I sigh.
“I’m sorry, Mom. I need some space. My pack comes first.”
“I raised you! I gave you everything!”
I squeeze James’ hand, and he steps in for me like he’s an Alpha instead of an Omega. “If Luna decides to have a relationship with you, she’ll let you know. Have a nice night.”
My mom keeps talking, and Stewart claps his son’s shoulder.
“Just let me pack my stuff,” he says, and Ian nods. My mom follows him through the house, being hysterical. James still holds my hand as Ian lightly wraps his around my neck and rubs my cheekbone with his thumb.
“You okay, baby?”
“Yeah, I didn’t know Stewart had it in him.”
Ian smiles and shakes his head. “My mom would have been proud of him. He became really passive and just shut down when she passed away. I think Margo being the controlling bitch she is was what he needed at the time. I’m happy to see him stand up for himself.”
I nod and sigh as Ian leans in and kisses my cheek.
“Whatever relationship you want with her is up to you, okay?”
I nod again and tilt my chin up to give him a kiss, which he takes from me hungrily.
“I think for now, I’d like to just focus on our pack.”
“Was hoping you’d say that. I think I owe you payment.”
I smile at him. “You sure do.”
“How do you feel about Dad watching Neptune while we go on a little trip?”
“Sounds like a dream.”
Stewart comes out with two rolling suitcases as my mom runs out the door after him. “Stewart, we can talk about this.”
“Let’s get the fuck out of here,” he mutters. Ezra grabs his bags and puts them in the back as Ian takes the driver’s seat. It’s a tight squeeze with James and Stewart in the back, but it would be worse if one of the Alphas was back here.
Stewart clears his throat. “I’m sorry that took me so long, Luna,” he says. I tap his hand and sigh.
“It’s okay, Stewart.”
“It’s not, but I plan on spending as much time as possible making it up to my son’s mate.”
That’s what breaks me as I cry softly. Stewart pats my shoulder, and James rubs my thigh. The acceptance and being called Ian’s mate from Stewart means everything to me. I’m also a little emotionally drained from the encounter with my mother, and it just all pours out of me. The relief of not caring what my mother says, Ian’s dad admitting he could have done more, and accepting me as his mate. It’s just all too much.
“We’ll be home soon, love,” Ezra says from the front seat. He’s turned, so he can touch my leg.
“I’m not sad, just overwhelmed.”
“I know, I can feel you down the bond.” That makes me laugh during my little crying fit, and I wipe my eyes and just let it all sink in. This is my life now.
“Luna Martinez, you better get that sweet ass over here,” Ian says as I squeal as Ezra grabs me by the waist and tosses me over the shoulder. He swats my ass as he drops me down on the cabana between James and Ian.
“I was just going to go for a little dip.”
“With no sunscreen?” Ian says, arching an eyebrow at me.
“I was gonna…” He shakes his head, dragging me to sit between his legs. I look over at James who shrugs.
