Chapter 249: Rhys
I closed my eyes, feeling the exhaustion from the last few days deep in my bones. I had called my mom what felt like weeks ago, but now that she was here, I wanted her gone. With everything going on, I guess it would be good to have her close, but right now, it felt like a lot.
“Is that any way to greet your mother?” Mom demanded in a way only she could. “You have been gone for nearly a week! No word, no note. Nobody knew where the hell you were! And you are just going to greet me here with a ‘hi mom’? I raised you better than that Rhys.”
Grace curled into me slightly, but she didn’t completely shy away as she would have in the past.
“Mom we were away on work.” I answered calmly.
It was weird to see her here in front of me. I couldn’t remember the last time she had visited. She hated coming back here ever since Dad died and she gave up the pack. She looked older, but still very much the same. She had dyed her hair again; it was nearly black this time. She was tall for the average woman, standing at just about 6 feet. Her eyes were a stunning blue, but they had really lost their light since Dad died. She had always been a no-nonsense person, but it had taken on an extreme level once the pack had been attacked. I had been grateful when she had moved to a pack under the alliance as a way to give me a breather. I had also lost my dad, and her uptight nature had stressed me out.
“And you just left nobody here until a couple of days ago, when Leon and Caleb just randomly showed up?”
“I don’t need your criticism, Mom,” I snapped at her.
“And what is this? Another whore you’re bringing home? Seriously, Rhys. You have got to grow up, son! This is getting-”
“That is enough, Mom!” I growled, cutting her off. I wasn’t going to let her finish whatever horrible thing was going to come out of her mouth next. I didn’t want to know where she was going to go with that statement, and honestly, I didn’t care.
Mom looked horrified at my reaction, and honestly, I had never really stood up for any of my past potential brides, with the exception of Allison, and even with her, I had never really protected her in any way.
“Mom,” I drew out my words, so she’d know I was serious as Sawyer and Maizie came to stand with us, looking very hesitant. “This is my mate, Grace.”
Mom’s jaw dropped. In all the years that had passed since my Dad’s death, I had never seen her eyes light up that way.
“Mate?” She her voice barely above a whisper.
“Yes Mom, I finally found my mate.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful, Rhys!” She cried as she ran up and wrapped her arms around both of us.
I felt Grace lean into me a little more, and her body tensed but she didn’t push my mother away. Finally, my mother pulled back and wiped a tear away from her face.
“I think you owe my mate and apology.”
“I’m sorry, dear, I didn’t realize. My sons tell me nothing that goes on in their life! Imagine my surprise when I find out that one of my boys has a mate and the other has a child!”
She then looked at Sawyer, noticing him in the shadows for the first time, but I don’t think she noticed his hand protectively on Maizie’s waist.
“And Sawyer my dear,” She wrapped her arms around him next, pushing Maizie out of his subtle grip. “Tell me you have no big news to surprise your old ma with, do you?”
“Actually,” Sawyer answered pulling away from her to the best of his ability, and reaching out for Maizie’s hand, which she cringed at giving him. “This is my mate, Maizie.”
Mom gasped, and her hand flew to her mouth as she backed up to get a good look at everyone.
“You’re back!” Alana exclaimed as she ran out the front door, not caring that she was interrupting whatever weird family moment we were having. She threw her arms around Grace and then moved to Maizie without hesitation. I was grateful that Grace had made such good friends with both Maizie and Alana. She needed someone other than me in her life, and I was also glad that I did not have to participate in girl talk like they had had on the way to the Vampire City. I didn’t want to know what they said about me in private, and I was glad my mate didn’t air our laundry out in front of my brother like Maizie had no problem doing.
She let go of Maizie and gripped Grace again.
“I’m so glad you’re okay.” She whispered, just loud enough for me to hear her.
“Me too.” Grace responded as Caleb and Sammy walked out the door.
“Seriously?” I demanded when he was close enough for me not to be yelling. “A little warning would have been nice.”
Caleb frowned slightly. “I thought you knew she was coming. She said you reached out to her.”
“I did. But I didn’t know she was here!”
Alana looked at all of us in confusion as Leon and Heather approached from the total opposite direction.
“What’s going on?” She asked nervously. “Is everything okay?”
“Yea, everything is fine,” I answered as I ran my hand tiredly over my face. “Alana, this is my mom. Luna Kerris.”
Alana frowned slightly before turning to my mother and bowing slightly toward her and forcing herself to smile politely. Her omega training immediately snapping into place, making me feel slightly guilty for making her feel like she needed to be formal when with friends.
“Well, you guys are back sooner than expected,” Leon greeted.
“We have LOTS to talk about,” Grace spoke up for the first time, her own fatigue seemingly weighing on her.
“Maizie?” Another voice called out, exiting the packhouse in a bit of a tizzy.
“Who's that?” Alana asked as the woman rushed forward toward us
“My mom.” Maizie whispered, and recognition dawned on me.
“Holy mother of mom’s.” Leon whispered.
And I couldn’t help but agree with his assessment.