Chapter Eighty-Four

We pulled up to the house, and I took a breath. I didn’t want to be here, but I knew I had to be. I had to face everything that was done. Even if it hadn’t happened yet, given the chance, they would do it again. Brandon was a foolish man who was easily swayed, and Shannon would kill just to get what she wanted, and that just happened to be my mate.

A pathetic mate, at that. Nix’s voice whispered in my mind, and I snorted. Ronnie looked over at me with a lifted brow.

“Nix just said something funny.” I took another deep breath.

“You have to see this through.” Ronnie’s voice was quiet.

“I know.”

I took one more minute before I stepped out of the car. Before I could do much more, my mom was jumping into my arms.

“I missed you so much, baby.”

“I missed you too, Mom.” I pulled away and smiled. “Let me at least get fully out of the car.”

My mom scoffed and hugged me tight again. “I came out to warn you. Brandon and the Alpha are here. They are certain you are mates and won’t leave until it’s confirmed.” Her words were whispered into my ear.

I pulled back with a smile plastered on my face. “Okay. Let me be free. I need to grab my stuff.” I pushed away what she just told me, trusting that Nix and Megan were keeping their focus on my changed scent. It had become second nature now.

We have it covered. Megan’s voice cut through the worry.

“Ainsley, can I have a word?” Ronnie’s voice was a little shaky, but my mom froze. This was the first time since I could remember that Ronnie even spoke my mother’s name, never mind speaking directly to her.

She used to speak to him when I was younger, but he remained quiet and stoic. But something has shifted, and I think she realized it. Her eyes darted to mine, and I think she saw the truth there, and she nearly crumpled.

“Yeah.” Her voice was tight, but she nodded and stepped away from me.

Lynn had already grabbed her bag from the trunk and was waiting patiently for me. I made my way around the car and grabbed the rest of my stuff. I wheeled the two suitcases to the front seat, and then I strapped my new laptop case onto the first case, covering it with my backpack so it was hidden.

I tried my best to ignore the conversation between Ronnie and my mom, but it was hard. I wanted to know what was being said, even if I knew it was just between the two of them. They needed this, not just for their relationship, but just for themselves.

They were friends before everything happened, and Ronnie was forced to pick sides, when he shouldn’t have had to. Now he was regretting the things he had said. And I’m sure my mom was too. She had to make choices that not only made her hate herself, but also hate Ronnie and my father. She blamed my father for a lot. But when the truth came out, hopefully they could forgive each other.

Just like I was hoping Ronnie and my mom were forgiving each other right now. I pulled my suitcases to where Lynn was waiting, and I watched their interactions. Ronnie was saying a lot, and my mom was just shaking her head back and forth.

Finally, Ronnie dropped to his knee and bowed his head. My mom gasped, and I started over. My mother crouched and grabbed his hands. “Get up, Ronnie. This isn’t necessary.” She tried to pull him up, but he shook his bowed head.