Chapter 123

Chapter 123


“Mom …” What could I say? I didn’t need to state the obvious, that I was pregnant, but this was the first time she had met Darren. She had left me with Alfred, thinking I would be taken care of there. I walked up to her, and Darren kept his arm around me as he accompanied me. After the trauma he had been through, he wasn’t about to let go of me for a second, especially in this strange place. I noticed he kept glancing at Azrael, and it was clear he didn’t trust him. I can’t say I did either, but it was more like I accepted his presence for what it was.

She looked exactly the way I remembered her, only she looked healthy now. She smiled, slow and unsure, as if I might dissolve if she moved too fast. “Hi, baby,” she said, voice thick and real, not the echo I’d tried to preserve for years. “Lissa, look at you. It feels like you are an entirely different person now.” She reached a tentative hand toward me, and I took it greedily. As if she were a lifeline and I didn’t want the rough waters to drag it away.

“Mom,” I croaked. I was touching her. I heard her voice again and I could smell her. It was overwhelming. All these things I thought were lost forever. It felt so soothing, surreal, complete, and impossible to hear her voice again. What I wouldn’t have given before just to hear her voice. When you think something like that is lost to you forever, but then amazingly, you get it back … there are no words to express how you feel. Maybe almost liberating? As if a part of you was locked away. The part that wanted to ignore the truth and pretend everything was okay. That your mother wasn’t dead, because accepting it was too painful. And now that she was in front of me … it was free. Wow, did I feel like a child suddenly. A little girl who desperately needed her mother.

I stumbled forward and into her arms. Darren moved closer with me, moving his hand lower to rest on my back as my mother’s arms came around me. She hugged me so tightly it hurt. Her hands trembled as she ran her fingers through my hair. I pressed my face into her shoulder, letting the tears flow.

We stood like that for a long time, the darkness wrapping around us like a blanket that didn’t care if you lived or died.

She pulled back first, thumbs wiping under my eyes with the old tenderness that I’d nearly forgotten. She cupped my cheeks and held my gaze. “I’m so proud of you,” she whispered. “You’ve grown so strong.” She glanced past my shoulder, eyes flicking upward, and I remembered I wasn’t alone. Darren stood behind me, my mate, the man she had never met.

I grinned through my tears as I looked up at Darren lovingly. “That’s my mate, Darren. He’s the Lycan King.” I paused, savoring the words. “And the father of your future grandchild, if I survive all this bullshit.”

Her eyes widened in recognition with a small smile. “Milo’s son.”

“It’s an honor to meet you.” Darren’s lips twitched up in a gentle smile as my mother studied him.

“I don’t know what’s happened since I got stuck here. How did you end up with Darren?”

“It’s a long story, one I will fill you in on one day. But Darren is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Are you safe, though?” I could hear the concern in my mother’s voice. “In the Lycan Kingdom … the Waiting Ladies are not what you think they are—”

“Brainwashed and victims of foul play. I know about Winifred and your connection to Milo. I know you loved him.”

“I did, but not like I love your father. It was a scary and chaotic time, but—well, things worked out for the best. I guess fate made sure we were bound to their family one way or another.” My mother’s gaze slid to him, and I could feel her sizing him up. She didn’t need words to say it: Are you worthy? Are you enough for my daughter? Will you take care of her the way I never got to? The unspoken checklist of a thousand mothers, condensed into a single stare.

“She is my world. I love her more than anything.” Darren seemed to understand the look in her eyes and answered her unspoken questions.

She gave a small, approving nod, the corners of her mouth curving in a smile that was mostly sadness.

“You remind me of Milo,” she said, and I could see the ghosts in her eyes. “He was never much for words, either. Just did what had to be done.” She paused, squeezing my hand tighter. “I hope you will be a pillar of support for her. And take care of her the way she deserves.”

“I’m not perfect, but I’ll always do my best and have her back. I just want her to be happy … as long as she’s at my side. I won’t give her up to anyone.”

My mom laughed and nodded her head. “Perfect qualities for a mate.”

“Speaking of mate …” I brushed my fingers over the pocket watch in my mother’s hand. “I think if it really has the power to reunite mates, then it should help you find dad … you know about what happened to him?”

“Yes, your father is alive, and I need to free him and our warriors. They weren’t supposed to be trapped too, but they wouldn’t separate from your father. They loyally chose to remain by his side.” She looked down at the watch. “Damien poured his powers in this watch to find and reunite with your loved one. Let’s hope those powers continue.”

“Our time here is up. This is where I stop. From here on, you’re on your own.” Azrael spoke up, and I remembered he was still here.

“That’s it? No more cryptic hints, no backup plan?” I snorted and watched as a smile spread over his lips.

“You’ll need to figure your powers out on your own. You’ll have to dig deep and reach for it, but it's there. You can’t ever tell anyone about meeting me. This has to remain a secret for all of our sakes. I put my faith in you and your family.” He turned to Mom, a flicker of real sadness in his face. “You have a choice, Evette. You can stay with your daughter, or I can take you to James right now. I don’t know when, or if, you’ll be able to return.”

Mom sucked in a breath, eyes darting between me and Azrael, then at the watch in her hand. But she looked at me, and I saw the decision land behind her eyes. She wanted to stay. She wanted to fix everything she’d missed.

I beat her to it. I grabbed her hand, squeezing hard. “Go,” I said. “You deserve to be with Dad. I know what it’s like to be ripped away from your mate, to think you’ll never see them again. It nearly killed me, Mom. Please … go. I’ll be okay.”

“I can’t leave you now.”

“You are leaving me now. Think of dad. I have Darren by my side. I’m going to be fine. Knowing you two are alive and together makes me happy. Dad needs you, and you need him. Way more than I need the both of you.”

Tears streamed down her face, but her smile was pure light. “You’re sure?”

“Yes.” I was sure. Because all it took was me putting myself in her situation. If I was separated from Darren for so long, I don’t know how I would survive it. Of course, I wanted her with me, but not at the expense of them being separated. Besides, deep down I knew it wouldn’t be forever. My mother was strong, just like I was. She would find my dad, and they would make their way back to us. I was sure of it.

She hugged me so fiercely, it almost knocked the breath out of me. “I’ll find my way back,” she whispered. “No matter how long it takes.”

Azrael nodded, satisfied. “It’s a wise choice. The doors don’t open often, and when they do, you have to be ready.” He turned to Darren, giving him a look of respect. “Protect her, Lycan King. She’s more important than you know.”

Darren grunted, his hand landing heavily on my shoulder. “I know. She’s everything.”

The darkness started to tear itself apart, slashes of light ripping through the black. I hugged Mom one last time, burying my face in her hair. “Tell Dad I love him,” I said. “I will see you both soon, I know it. And when I do, I’ll have your new grandchild to introduce you to.”

“Lissa, I love you!” she called, the words whipping away as the world turned blindingly white.

I blinked, and she was gone. Darren was beside me, his arms wrapping me up.

“Ally—”

“Mmm … it’s okay.” I leaned my head against his chest. And you know what? It was. I felt at peace. The watch was with my mom, and I knew it would lead her to my father. And eventually, it would lead them both home to me. I was certain of it. I looked at Darren, and I saw my whole future in his eyes. I was alive, my parents were alive, and right now … it was enough. “They will both be so happy to see each other again.”

“Ally, whatever happens in this life, whatever we’re meant to face … I will always find my way back to you. I don’t need a watch, I have your flame inside me.”

“Plus, my DNA superpowers from a hellhound that we have to discover.” I turned in his arms and tilted my chin up to him. “We have a war to end. A child to bring into the world. And a happily ever after to chase.”

“We don’t have to chase it. Our happiness is here.” He rubbed his hands over my side, tracing them up to my cheek. “It’s feeling your skin against mine. Hearing your sweet giggle, looking into your eyes, feeling your breath upon my skin … it's your lips touching mine,” he whispered, his lips covering mine in so much softness and gentle love. “Challenges will come and go. Bad times will come but pass. But our love exists among the stars, stretching through eternity forever. Our love is for all time. Happiness is the one chasing us … studying and learning what it really means.”

“Well, aren’t you the charmer?” I smiled against his lips.

“Only for you, my queen.”

His lips gently pressed against mine again, a soft and tender connection that seemed to pour warmth and affection into the very core of my being. It was as if his love flowed through the kiss, wrapping me in a cocoon of comfort and bliss. An intimate moment that felt timeless.

Darren was right. We didn’t have to chase an ever after. We just had to live for the moment. For every smile, touch, and kiss. Holding on to each other and changing the world … well, our world, together.