Chapter 55

DAKOTA’S POV

My mother walked out of the room and waved at me to follow her. I squeezed Akela’s arm and walked out of the room, squeezing myself through the small space that the giant left. I squinted my eyes at him and resisted the urge to swear at him. I turned with a huff and went after my mother. She was waiting for me at the front door. I stepped out and looked up at the sky, holding my palm against my face to shield my eyes from the sun.

“It looks like a good day for a walk.”

It didn’t. The sun looked like it was out to melt anything at the slightest provocation, and we were werewolves with a faster metabolism. It wasn’t a good day for a walk. But I needed to hear what my mother wanted to say, so it was a good day for a walk.

“It is.”

I let her lead the way, and we began strolling down the street. I admired the architecture of the houses we walked past.

“I know you have questions.”

“Yup.”

“So…um…ask them.”

“I guess we both know the most obvious. Who is the Viking, and why is he in Dad’s house?” She cleared her throat and adjusted her collar.

“Well, the Viking guy is my mate.” I froze, looking at my mother and waiting for her to tell me that she was joking. She looked everywhere except at me. I didn’t know what came over me, but my mind must have agreed that she was joking because I started laughing.

Not the cute, ladylike type of laugh. It was the type of laugh that made people stop in their tracks and wonder if they needed to call an asylum. When I was finally able to get myself under control, I held my stomach and tried to calm the ache that had started from laughing so hard.

“Wow, Mom…” I wiped tears from my eyes “That was so funny.”

“Well, I wasn’t joking. And I don’t appreciate the laughter.”

“What?”

She sighed and looked around.

“You know what? Maybe a walk wasn’t the brightest of ideas. Let’s go over there.” I didn’t even argue. I was still in shock. I followed her to the tiny coffee shop that was somewhere on the street and sat opposite her at the table that she selected.

My eyes remained on her as she ordered something for us.

“You didn’t come with any money.” Finally, my voice decided to make an appearance.

“Well, I could have it added to my tab.” She leaned over the table to whisper to me. “Besides, this place belongs to Adam’s sister.”

“Hm.” There goes that name again.

“Right. About Adam.”

“What did you mean when you said that he was your mate?” I know that was a stupid question to ask, but I needed her to explain this situation to me like I was a fool. It seemed quite simple and then it wasn’t.

“That is because he is my mate.”

“How did you know? Where did you find him?”

“Well. It was at Orion’s house after you left for Russia…”

“You were at their place?” She nodded.

“Yes. For about a week. They insisted that the security of the house I would be moving to be checked thoroughly.”

“Oh. Makes sense.”

“So, I was at the house, recuperating, and then I caught this wonderful scent.” She had a smile on her face now. “It smelled of the woods with a hint of citrus. And then he walked into the living room. The second our eyes met, my wolf told me that he was our mate.”

“Is that it?”

“Of course, that’s it. What else were you expecting?”

“So, in conclusion, all that is because he didn’t let you just move into Dad’s house?” I could hear anger seeping into my tone. I didn’t understand my emotions. My mother sighed and sat back in her chair.

“What is wrong with you, Dakota? Why aren’t you happy for me?”

“I should be happy for the fact that you’re insulting Dad?”

“Do not raise your voice at me, Dakota!”

I knew what I said was unfair. From what she told me, she deserved to be happy, but I just couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that there was a new man in my mother’s life. Why couldn’t she just mourn him forever?

She deserved to be happy too; she had been the one more or less holding the family together after everything that Dad had done to her. But, I had the picture of the perfect family. My perfect family, and this Adam guy? He didn’t belong in it.

But she deserved to be happy.

“Darling, don’t cry…” I swiped my hand across my cheeks and found that I was crying. For what? I didn’t know. My emotions were all over the place.

“I’m not crying,” I said in a stern tone. We were silent for a while, and thankfully, the waiter brought Mom’s order. She had ordered croissants to go with our coffee. I bit into it, appreciating the sweet taste of the snack while simultaneously wondering what the hell was going on.

I sighed as I inhaled my croissants and coffee and had the most unladylike belch. I began to feel like I might have traumatized the waitress because of the way she looked at me like she was about to pass out from shock. I just didn’t care.

“I just want you to be happy for me.”

I wanted to be happy for her too. She deserved it. But I couldn’t bring myself to be happy.

“I want to be happy for you too.”

“I hope you understand. I love him. And now that I have found him, I cannot live without him.” I smiled a wry smile at her. I did.

“I’m happy you’re happy.” She smiled at me. And I was. I knew that it was time to let that perfect picture go. There was nothing perfect about the situation that I’ve found myself in. We all just find perfection in things and people.

“Would it be too much to ask that you guys get along?” I tried to imagine myself playing golf with Adam or doing any of those things that daughters did with their fathers…or stepfathers, in this case. And I shook my head.

“That is just asking for too much.”

“Oh.”

“But I promise not to slit his throat when he’s asleep.” I shrugged. My mother laughed a hearty laugh, and I joined her.

“I guess that’s okay. I can live with that.”

She looked so much better when she smiled. Why should I be the one to hinder it?

I reached my hand across the table and took her croissant, biting into it.

“Hey!”

I shrugged and continued eating. Now, I could properly enjoy the flavors bursting in my mouth.

“What? I’m hungry.”

“That was very unladylike,” she scolded. I shrugged and continued eating. I drank the rest of my coffee, and we just sat there looking at each other.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, my darling.”