“I thought it over more, and what I’ve come to realize is I will never like it. But the Moon Goddess made her choice, and I haveto trust in her plan. Your fated mate is who I’d been praying for and is what your father and I wanted for you as Bloodhound’s Alpha. That, and I’ve never seen you as miserable as the moment she left.” My mother waits for me to meet her gaze. “Do you want to be with her?”
I hang my head and nod. “Yes. Are you disappointed?”
She contemplates. “The situation isn’t ideal. But someone who is able to take out an alpha, well”—shakes her head and exhales—“who is better than her?”
“Are you saying you’re impressed that she killed father?”
“No,” she responds instantly. “I’m saying that I respect that she was capable of it. And I would rather you be on the good side of a demon than the bad.”
I growl at the word demon. She squeezes my hand apologetically. “I’ll never like it. Having her around is going to take some getting used to, but I’ll get there.”
I nod. She’ll get there. She just needs time.
“You’re saying she can protect me.”
Slowly and seriously, she says, “You will protect each other, but in different ways.” She sighs. “You always take care of everyone else but never yourself. She may match—or even outmatch—you in combat, but the Moon Goddess has given you the most crucial job of them all: to protect the fragile heart of the strongest she-wolf there is. It’s a grave responsibility. One that takes a man of strength, patience and care—all qualities of a good leader and alpha.”
For the first time, my purpose makes sense.
“I’ve tried to be every kind of leader. I tried Dad’s way, the king’s way... and none of it felt right.” It’s then I face the truth. “The kind of man I want to be is the one I am when I’m with her.”
Turning her whole body, Mom faces me. She puts her hands on my shoulders, looking me in the eyes and says, “Then, go get her.”
“It’s more complicated than that.” I tell her about the witches. What I’ve done and how this pack will kill Jay if I don’t go through with the spiritual bond to Medein. “I can’t lose her.”
“You don’t know that you would.”
“Come on, be serious. These are witches.Darkwitches. We wouldn’t have a chance.”
My mother smacks the back of my head.
“Ow! What was that for?”
“That is for not telling me about the witches.” She hits me again.
“Ow!” I rub my head. “Hey!”
“And that is, so you don’t make your father’s same mistakes. He would rather lay down his sword and accept defeat before the battle had even begun to avoid the fight. It’s what led to the rogue attack in the first place. He played everything safe to avoid risk, and he paid the price for it in the end. I refuse to bury my mate and son in the span of a year, and I’ll fight anyone, including you, if it means I get to keep you. Are you willing to lose Jay simply because you wouldn’t dare fight?”
“No. I don’t want to risk her life.”
“We all die eventually. Haven’t you ever heard the saying, it’s better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all’? Be happy son. It’s what your father and I have always wanted for you.” My mother lightly hits my arm. “It’s time for us to give a speech. Come on.”
My mother stands and clinks her cutlery against her glass. At the chimes, chatter fades, and everyone turns to face us.
Normally, my father would be the first to speak. This year, my mother will.
“Thank you everyone for being here. It has been... quite the year. Full of many triumphs and trials. Together, we tackled them head on.”
There are nods of agreement from the audience as my mother speaks of our togetherness, as well as giving individual recognition and praise.
“Alpha Jack Waller may not be here, but his spirit lives on in all of you. And it is his will that gives us the strength and courage to continue his legacy. But there is another strength that you will soon come to know... My son—” My mother motions to me.
“—Is already your Alpha and leader. And they are my strength. I pray that when tomorrow comes, you find your fated mate who gives you yours. As there is nothing that a mated pair, a family, a pack cannot do when they have each other.”
My eyes drift downward.
The reflection of light on the glasses becomes apparent as everyone follows suit.
