Nic’s dad leads the way, opening the door with a muttered spell. We all step inside before he locks it behind us.
Her parents are caged in behind what I know are magic bars. The Ashfords have thought of everything when it comes to containing captives.
They look bad, tired and dirty laying there. They don’t even glance up when we enter until Aly clears her throat.
Both of them shoot up into a standing position before rushing the bars.
“Aly!” Her mom yells, sounding relieved.
Aly takes a step closer to the bars but I grab her and pull her against my body. I don’t want her closer to the people who took her from me.
“Let her go!” Her dad screams at me.
Aly steps back tighter against my body when I stiffen. I know Aly was expecting this but it’s still difficult to witness.
“Mom, dad, he’s my mate. Please try to relax.”
They both stiffen in response to Aly’s words. They examine everyone gathered in the room, postures stiff and threatening. I imagine they’re deciding how to handle this situation.
“Aly, please. They can’t be your mates. It’s not possible. They’re tricking you. Look at us, they have us chained up here,” her mom tries to reason.
Aly takes a small step forward but I follow her.
“Mom, why do you say that? Why can’t you believe they’re my mates?” Aly sounds concerned and interested. I almost believe she would believe them if their reasoning was sound enough but I know my girl.
“It’s not possible, that’s why. Hunters donothave mates. In our entire history it has never happened. When we told the elders about you, they insisted it wasn’t possible.” Her mom’s expression is genuine, she truly believes that’s the truth.
“Are the elders always right?” Nic asks.
They both continue staring at Aly, not acknowledging Nicoli. There’s silence as we wait for an answer, but they continue ignoring him.
“Don’t ignore him, are the elders always right?” Aly asks.
This time her dad actually answers the question. “They’ve never been wrong, because they hold the history of our species. You need to trust them.”
So they trust their elders implicitly with no doubt.
“Couldn’t we be the first?” Jax asks quietly.
Again, they ignore him until Aly repeats the question, “couldn’t we be the first?”
“That’s pretty self-absorbed of you to think you’re special. In thousands of years of our species this has never happened but you’re the exception,” her mom says, sounding condescending.
No one says anything in response. We know our bond is legitimate whether they believe it or not.
Can you believe them?Kiran asks through the bond.
No, they’re disgusting with their closed minds,Jay responds.
Do we have any more questions?Aly asks.
It’s incredible hearing her voice in my head. Adding her to the pack bond was the best thing we’ve done, besides mating her obviously.
No,Nic responds.
Aly nods before taking a deep breath. “Mom, dad, thank you for helping me in the end. I know you love me but until you can accept my choice and my men, I can’t let you go. I’m sorry but I’ll be back to visit.”
Then she turns around and walks out before waiting for a response. We all follow her, Nic’s dad unlocks the door to get us out and reseals it behind him, keeping them in.
