“Riley…” Her voice was breaking from her sobs.
I stopped in my tracks and turned my head to look at her. Both hands slid inside my pants pocket while my face was showing no emotions at all.
“Just one hug. I will never ask you again. Just one hug, son.”
I looked away from her and tipped my head up, blinking back my tears. The sun had finally set and the clouds were paving the way for the moon.
One hug. To make up for the twenty-three years.
Maybe it would be more for me than for her because I never knew how it felt to be hugged by my mother. Maybe when I wished for a hug from her during full moons, maybe the Goddess thought it was only now that I deserved it.
I turned my whole body around, but before I could do or say more, my mother moved forward and threw her arms around me as she pulled me into her arms.
Her hand held the back of my head, brushing my hair a bit harshly, but I didn’t mind. My arms wrapped around her as I finally let go of the tears I’d been holding back for her since I promised the Goddess that day I turned eight years old—that I would never cry for my mother anymore.
My shoulders and my whole body shook from my silent sobs as I hugged her tightly, letting her know how much her absence had destroyed every part of me.
“I’m sorry, son. I’m sorry...” Her warmth and her scent enveloped me. It was something new but felt familiar, and I basked in it.
“Riley… Thank you, Goddess! Thank you!” She was still crying in my arms and holding me tightly like she didn’t want to let go.
And I didn’t know what to say this time. So I just let my mother hug me, letting her cries and her warmth slowly crumble the walls I built around my cold heart.
Chapter 83
NADIA.
Instead of focusing onpreparing ourselves for the dinner, we spent time talking about Katarina and Aeon. Katarina didn’t want to spill the beans, but I just couldn’t ignore the sadness in her eyes, and eventually, she told me everything.
And my heart was crushed, not just for her but for Alpha Darvin. I wished we could do something, but from what Katarina told me, only she and Alpha Aeon knew of her brother’s ordeal. And I hoped the Alpha would tell Riley because I didn’t think I would be able to hide it from my mate.
“But let’s forget about me or anything I told you.” Katarina’s lips curled into a smile as she shifted her gaze between Jenny and me. “Tonight we will enjoy your dinner because this is all about you and that pup in here.” She pointed her finger at my stomach before gently tapping it.
I just let out a deep sigh. I knew I would enjoy the dinner because Riley and Zahra were here, but how would I look at Alpha Darvin without my heart clenching in pain?
We might never have been close or even acquaintances, but he was a good Alpha and a brother. Whenever I was with Katarina or Sophia, there was never an instance where he wouldn’t call them, as if he was scared they would never come home.
And now I understand why.
My thoughts were cut short by a knock on the door, and all our heads swung to check just in time for it to open and reveal my mate.
My lips automatically curved into a wide grin until I saw the redness in his eyes.Did he cry?
The smile on my lips was wiped away instantly and replaced by a frown. “Are you okay?” I stood up from the vanity chair that I was sitting on.
I saw Riley’s lips twitching before a smile slipped on them. “You’re beautiful, Nadia.”
His eyes were raking me up and down, and I felt like his gaze was stripping me naked.
“Okay, that’s our cue to leave.” Katarina chuckled as she grabbed Jenny’s forearm and they walked towards the door. “She’s all yours, Alpha. But please don’t taste her yet. Dinner must come first.”
“Well, when the Alpha is hungry, it must be served,” Riley replied as he chuckled.
I saw a red tint creep into Katarina’s face. “Okay. I shouldn’t have said anything in the first place.” She mumbled as she pulled a giggling Jenny away from our room.
Riley’s eyes were still on me as he closed the door behind him with his foot, his tongue sliding over his lower lip, and the way he looked at me made my core clench in desire. Goddess, this man. He never seemed to get tired of sex, and I was really surprised he went so long without it before meeting me.
My thoughts made me smile. Because I just realized the answer, I wasn’t addicted to it myself until I met him. It must be the same thing for him.
