She turned back around, obviously not done spilling her guts to me. I wondered where all this was going.
“Like I said, I’ve wanted Ty to find his fated mate. Likewise, I want my husband to retire from his position with dignity, handing the alpha powers to Ty in a beautiful mating ceremony. However, change has always been difficult for me, and I’ve found myself feeling slightly more vulnerable through the whole process than I ever believed I would. Ty is our only child, and I love him with a fierceness as any mother should. You’ll understand that love someday when you, too, become a mother. Until then, trust me when I say that you’ll never stop worrying about your children, even when they’re adults with families of their own. I think I’ve worried more about Ty as an adult than Iever did when he was a child. As a boy, if I said no, he listened. Now he does what he wants.”
She studied my face. “Am I making you uncomfortable?”
“No, not at all.” That was a lie. I was extremely uncomfortable. At the same time, though, I wanted to hear everything. I needed to hear it, so I urged her to continue.
“I’ve been the alpha’s mate for a long time, so I have a good idea of what the role entails. I’m scared for what Ty is taking on, but I have to trust that Dominic and I raised him well enough to take on his role with grace and dignity. As Ty’s mother, it’s my job to make sure his mate is ready to rule beside him.” She fidgeted with the edge of the ladle.
I didn’t know Persephone had it in her to be nervous.
“What I’m trying to say is that I apologize for waiting so long to bring you into the fold. Please allow me to make up for lost time.”
Persephone straightened her back as more shifters emerged from the woods. She shook her head, as if shaking off the conversation and trying to get back into the moment. Her bright smile was in place when the pack members approached the buffet table.
I blinked away the unexpected tears that had formed against my will, not realizing it was possible to be moved so deeply by someone I’d thought had a heart of stone.
She glanced at me and whispered out of the corner of her mouth, “Time for your first lesson on being the alpha’s mate Liza. Never let them see you cry unless it’s in times of great joy or sorrow. Even then, only a few tears. Never let them see you look weak. Ever.”
I cleared my throat and forced my tears back as I turned to greet the members with a sweet smile. Even though I was only serving food to pack members, I didn’t miss the grin that spread on Persephone’s face. She almost looked… proud of me.
After filling several more plates, we finally spotted Ty and Dominic emerging from the woods. They were the last shifters to leave the forest and eat, so Persephone and I fixed them each a plate.
Ty raised his eyebrows as he approached, and I knew he was wondering how everything was going between his mom and me. I inclined my head and smiled, surprised when his shoulders relaxed. I hadn’t realized how much it meant to him that his mother and I got along.
Dominic took his plate from Persephone. “Thank you, my love. Now, you ladies need to make your own plates. After serving everyone else, I’m sure you’re both starving. Especially you, Liza, since you ran tonight.” He turned back to face Ty. “I’d like the four of us to sit down together.”
“Sounds good.” Ty took his plate and waited at the buffet table while I filled my own.
Dominic led us to the back porch, which had been decorated for the occasion.
Soft, warm lights were strung above us, casting a gentle glow on the enchanting garden. Tiki torches were thoughtfully placed around, their flickering flames adding a touch of romance and allure. The gentle breeze made for the perfect temperature, creating the ideal setting for a meal under the starry sky.
Ty and I sat next to each other, and Dominic took the empty seat across from us. Persephone slid in next to him and didn’t waste any time digging into her food. We all followed suit.
“Mm. This is delicious, Mother,” Ty said between bites.
Dominic had slowed his eating and pushed his plate back a few inches so he could rest his elbows on the table. He sighed deeply. “Liza, there’s something I want to make you aware of.”
Crap. I didn’t like the tone of his voice. This wasn’t going to be an uplifting conversation like I’d had with Persephone in the buffet line. Of that much, I was certain.
“The alpha power is leaving me.” He was direct, didn’t beat around the bush, and I wondered how long he’d planned on giving me that information and what it meant for Ty and me.
The casual tone of the evening shifted. Persephone huffed out a breath, and I stiffened.
Dominic raised his head and looked at me with sad, tired eyes. “I apologize for keeping it from you, and I’m sorry for putting a strain on your relationship with Ty. He has felt added pressure to mate with you because he knows I don’t have much time left to pass the alpha power on to him.” Dominic glanced at Ty with a knowing look, as if he were apologizing for pressing him so hard for a mating ceremony.
I looked at Ty, who was staring at his feet. Was he ashamed that he hadn’t given me all of the facts? Had he thought I’d be angry he hadn’t told me? Or was he worried I’d somehow look at him differently now I knew the truth?
Ty had never explained why his father wanted to fast track our mating, and it had made me feel defensive about not rushing into things. I believed we should have time to get to know and enjoy our new fated mate bond. Now, though, it all made sense. Guilt replaced annoyance as I realized the amount of stress Ty had been under.
He had silently tried to protect me and the pack without exposing his father’s weakness. Between the Keller businesses and all the shit with Castro, Ty had taken on more responsibility than one man could handle, and now this. All this time, he’d been worried about his father, as well.
I reached over and grabbed Ty’s hand, knowing that no words were necessary. Hopefully, this gesture would be enough to show him how much I admired him. Ty smiled back at me, and his gratitude shone from his eyes.
Persephone set her fork on her plate and took a deep breath. “Being the head of the pack means that we often have to makesacrifices for the sake of the pack. I confess, Dominic and I were a mating of convenience, not of love.” She paused and glanced at her mate, who smirked and nodded in agreement. “We weren’t each other’s first choice, but I loved this pack, and Dominic had been my friend for many years. I mated with him so his father could pass the alpha power to him. Though I hadn’t been in love with him, I grew to love him.” Persephone put her hand over Dominic’s and smiled at him. “Now, he is the greatest love I’ve ever known, and I swear I would do it all over again.”
Dominic squeezed her hand. “Thank you, my love. I was never sure why you chose me, but I am glad that you did.” He leaned forward and kissed her forehead tenderly, then he turned his attention back to me. “Liza, I understand your reasoning for not being ready to mate, and I respect your choice. You were thrown into a new world of royalty amidst learning of your past and having to worry about Castro. It’s a lot for anyone. Please don’t think I’m trying to add to your mental load. I swear, I’m not.”
