Chapter 386

I stared at her for a second too long, and I saw sweat spring to her forehead. Then I smiled. “Of course I believe you. Brandon wouldn’t cheat on me…right?” I turned to him and he swallowed loud enough that I heard it across the table. “You wouldn’t do that to me after what my dad did to my mom, right?”

He jumped, like I surprised him. “Of course I wouldn’t.” But even from here, I could see the guilt eating at him.

“I know your dad has different views about mating than I do. And if that is what you want, we can still cancel the mating ceremony.” I let hurt enter my eyes. “I just refuse to share my mate with anyone.”

He swallowed again. “I know. And I agree with you. I promise I would never do that to you.”

I smiled. “Okay.” I turned to my mom. “I believe him.” She turned to glare at him for a minute and then I watched her crumble.

“I’m sorry, baby.” She turned to Shannon. “I didn’t mean to accuse you. I’m just on edge.”

Shannon nodded and turned to look at her dad. “It’s okay. Let’s get this cleared up, and then we will go and give you guys the night. We will come back in the morning.” My mother growled, but then nodded.

“Fine, but you can only come back if our dad proves me wrong. Otherwise, he stays gone, and only you can come back for stuff.”

Morgan huffed a sigh. “I was in a meeting, Ain, I swear.”

My mother turned away. But Shannon furrowed her brow. “What do you mean, I would be the only one allowed back to grab our stuff?” She looked at me but I turned away like I couldn’t meet her eyes. “Amy?” I shook my head. “Ainsley?”

My mom huffed. “Do you think I would want to live with you still if your father is cheating on me? If we divorce?” She threw up her hands. “Of course I won’t.” She leveled Shannon with a look. “You both were banking on my kindness, and that I have been submissive to you for all of these years, like a good mate. But you both forget who I am, what I am, and how I got here.” She growled softly.

“Goddess Ainsley. I haven’t done anything.” Morgan whined, but my mom growled.

Shannon was still confused. My mom released her full aura. “I was a born alpha, the only one in my generation. I was a fully bonded luna. And I got here because my mate cheated on me. Do you think if I didn’t allow my goddess-given mate to fuck around behind my back that somehow I would put up with it from you?” She pointed to Morgan and laughed. Fully laughed. “You are as fucking delusional as your daughter.” She shook her head. “Let’s get this done.”

Morgan stared at her for a minute before he looked at her. “Ainsley, I swear. I was with Vince all afternoon. You just happened to call him when he stepped out.”

She nodded. “Anything else?”

Shannon jumped in. “You know my dad loves you. He has bent over backwards trying to show you how much he cares this last year.” My mom nodded. “I saw him and Vince together when Brandon and I walked past the office.” She nodded. “I swear they were in there all afternoon.”

My mom looked at me and I winced. Her eyes were full of fire. I hissed. “Morgan?” I bit my lip, looking between the three. “Are you sure?” I looked at Brandon. “Maybe you are confusing it with another day?”

Shannon and Brandon both shook their heads. “No way.” Brandon jumped in. “That’s why I came today. I wanted to clear everything up.” He smiled and slid his head towards me, but I allowed my face to drop and I pulled away.

“You too?” I made myself sound hurt. “You’re sticking to this story too, Brandon?”

My mom pulled me to her side, and she shot Brandon a glare. “I wish I could say I expected different, but I’m not.” My mom shot him a look, and, for the first time, a tiny seed of doubt crept into his eyes.

“Ainsley, that hurts me to hear you say that.”

She leaned over and kissed my head. “Yeah, it hurts me to say I was right about you. You are not worth my daughter.”

I looked back at Brandon, and I allowed a tear to fall. “I love him, Mom.” My voice quivered.

Brandon pushed back in his seat, ready to stand. “I love you too, Amy.”

I shook my head. “If you loved me, truly loved me, you wouldn’t be lying.” I shook my head and turned to Morgan. “Is there anything else you want to say?”

Morgan furrowed his brows. “I didn’t do anything,” He whined and my mom lost the tiny thread she was holding on to.

“That’s fucking it.” She pulled out her phone. “I know you’re lying because Vince came to Amy’s office right after her lunch. I know you are lying because Rick and Vince were together from one in the afternoon until six when I called. And I know you’re fucking lying because I was sent this.”