I shook my head. “Not really,” I said, “He’s never talked about it, but my brother – Sebastian – he said it was a one-night stand.”
“That’s true, but there’s more to the story than that,” she said, chuckling awkwardly, “I used to work at this bar in Northern California Your father came in one night, looking like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. That was more than eighteen years ago. He was definitely more handsome then.”
I cracked another smile and I saw Steve roll his eyes.
“He started coming in a couple of times a week at first and then it was every night,” she said, “And he confided in me. He didn’t tell me a lot of specifics at first, but eventually, he opened up. About everything. About the fact that he was a werewolf and had just become the Alpha of his pack.”
I raised my eyebrows. “And that didn’t send you running for the hills?”
“It certainly surprised me,” she shrugged, “But I came around to it. I bought into your father’s entire story – how he was terrified to let his pack down, how much pressure he was under. And I think he liked talking to me. I had no idea about any of that stuff, so I was just an unbiased third party to hear his side.”
“A pretty third party,” Steve chimed in.
“That too,” my mom smiled, “Everything started out platonic between us but I did have a little crush on him. And then one night, he came in and I could tell he’d had a rough day. He drank more than usual and he started sweet-talking me.
One thing led to another and, well…he ended up back at my hotel room.”
It was definitely awkward to think and hear about my parents having S**, but I was also glad to have some answers. The subject had always been so taboo before. But there was one thing I was still curious about.
“Dad was with Luna Grace when he met you and you guys had the one- night stand,” I said, “Did you know he had a mate?”
My mom chuckled bitterly. “This is where the story gets a little complicated. Your father told me that werewolves had soulmates but he conveniently left out the part about already meeting his…until the morning after our little one-night tryst.”
Traised my eyebrows in shock. “Wait, what?” My mother took a sip of her tea. “Yeah, the morning after… woke up in your father’s arms, thinking this was the start of something special. As I said, I had a little crush on him. But when your dad woke up, he just started freaking out. He began carrying on about how our one-night stand was a mistake and should’ve never happened…and that’s when he decided to open up about how he already had a mate, someone he was committed to. I was heartbroken about it, but I wasn’t going to worm my way into his life if he didn’t want me there.
“Unfortunately,” she continued, “Two months and two missed periods later, I realize I’m pregnant with you. I knew it was your father’s. I hadn’t been with anyone since…that’s when I decided I was going to go at this alone. On my own.”
“But didn’t you think he deserved to know about the pregnancy?” I asked.
“It’s not like I didn’t think about it, Clark,” my mom sighed, “But your father had made it clear our little affair was a mistake and that I should stay away from him forever. And frankly, I wasn’t thrilled about forcing you into that kind of world. The way he had explained things to me…I didn’t want that for you. I was also scared that your father would take you away from me and try to pass you off as this other woman’s kid if I told him. I wanted to be the one to raise you…even if I hadn’t realized how ill-fitted I was for the role.”
Yeah, I didn’t want to grow up in the wolf’s den either, I thought to myself.
Mom’s story was a lot to process. I had only ever had bits and pieces of my origin story growing up, but finally, I had the whole tale. Her logic and her actions weren’t perfect but neither was my dad’s. They’d both chosen to keep me from the other one, stealing and locking me away like I was a toy.
“But now that I’ve spilled my guts to you,” mom said, looking at me with curious eyes, “I want to know why you’re here,
Clark. Don’t get me wrong – 1am more than overjoyed to see you, but I also know something must’ve driven you here.
Your father would’ve never let you come willingly.”
I sighed. This had been the part I was dreading, but my mom was right. If she could tell the truth about what happened with my father, I could tell her I was on the run from the most powerful werewolf in the world.
“Well, remember how dad told you about mates?” I asked, and she nodded. “How werewolves have their one true mate that they recognize at first glance?”
“wait, is that really how it happens?” Steve asked, “They make eye contact with someone, and suddenly they’ve got a soul mate? That’s all it takes?” He looked incredulous, and clearly, my mom hadn’t given him an in-depth history lesson about werewolves.
“Yep,” I told him, “That’s it. A little eye contact and suddenly you’ve got the person you’re spending the rest of your life with.”
“How do you know if someone is a suitable life partner based on eye contact? Is it just me or is that a little shallow?”
Steve scoffed. * I
I barely held back a laugh. I had only ever heard people hype up the sanctity of mates my entire life, so it was nice to see someone be a little skeptical.
But you’ve felt it yourself, Clark. You know what all the tingles and the sparks and the butterflies feel like.
Don’t pretend like you don’t. I
“Look, I can’t tell you how it works,” I said, looking at both of them, “But here’s my problem. Even though I’m human, I somehow still have a werewolf mate…you can blame it on Dad’s Alpha blood, it doesn’t really matter. What does matter is that I ran away from him and I kind of need somewhere to lay low for a while.”
Both mom and Steve stared at me with wide eyes and slack jaws.
Guess they weren’t expecting that revelation.
“There is no such thing as fun for the whole family.” Jerry Seinfeld
I told mom and Steve everything ~ how I got roped into attending a diplomatic meeting in Canada, meeting Griffin, deciding to run, and then leaving with Alessia.
By the time I was done recounting the story, they were both staring at me in disbelief. I couldn’t really blame them. The past week of my life had been crazy, like the plot of some romance novel you found thrown in the clearance section at
Barnes & Noble.
Except this wasn’t fiction. Werewolves, royalty, and possessive mates ~ this was my actual life.
“Oh my,” my mother muttered, and she exchanged glances with Steve. “Clark, I…don’t even know what to say.”
Steve looked just as shaken.
“L know it’s a lot,” I said, “And if you don’t want me here, I would understand. It’s a risk asking you guys to get involved.
I could find somewhere else to go.” “What? No,” Steve’s voice boomed across the room, “No way we’re letting you fend for yourself, kid.” He turned to my mom, and she nodded in agreement.
“Steve is right, Clark,” she said, “I know firsthand how dangerous the world of werewolves can be, and it sounds like you’ve got one of the most dangerous at your heels. Our home is always open to you, and you’re welcome to stay here as long as you like.” *
A wave of relief flooded through me. Whatever anticipation and fear that I’d had about coming here – like my mom not wanting to see me or throwing me out once she heard about the trouble I was in – was rapidly disappearing.
In fact, I felt the most relaxed I had in the past week. Not only was I surrounded by other humans for the first time in years, but there were no possessive mates anywhere to be found. No werewolf politics to worry about.
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