"So I wasn't perfect for him… after all."
Seriously? He was making it about himself.
I couldn't listen to this anymore. He had become so focused on the 'mission of protecting Kay' that he blocked Kay on his path to growth. I realized I was close to doing the same… butironicallybecause I wasn't as skilled in defense as Maurice, because I wasn't perfect, Kay had to use his own strength, and that empowered him, helping him mature. And then there was space for Kay to build his own nest, his own center of strength.
But these thoughts didn't matter now. I doubted Maurice would even want to hear more of my rants. Fate had planned it perfectly: Maurice was the right partner for the immature Kay. But Fate wanted Kay to gain his own strength. That's why Maurice had to leave.
I crossed my arms over my chest and said, "There's still one more thing. Your visits to our home must end. It's too risky. And I don't want you getting close to Kay, standing over him in the dark, touching his braid, and staring at him like some creep! You no longer have that right."
He stayed silent, eyes fixed on the ground, his jaw slightly clenched.
Observing him attentively for a while, I finally added, "But I understand you might feel the need to see Ray from time to time. I sometimes take him for walks to give Kay a couple of hours to himself. Once in a while, I can let you know when I'm on a walk so you can see my son. Yes, you heard me right. My son. Ray is mine, and I'll be his father. You’re just hissire. Consider this a huge act of generosity on my part because you don't deserve even that!"
"I understand."
Maurice took a phone out of his pants pocket. "This is my new burner phone. I'll signal you from it. You can text me at this number."
Speaking through clenched teeth, I dictated my number to him.
"Thank you," he whispered.
"Don’t thank me. Kay and I are getting married in May. I’ll decide when to tell him the truth after that. I want him to enjoy our honeymoon in peace, without more disruptions."
Maurice looked crushed. His face was full of misery.
"And I hope you’ll finally come clean with your parents, too. They’re hurting."
He nodded slowly. A pause settled between us.
"So," I said. "Do you love him? Your new guy?"
A faint, sad smile crossed his face. "I do. Now. I grew to love him over time. Being True Mates didn’t mean instant love, just instant lust. We had to get to know each other first."
"Oh, I get that. He’s okay with you coming here?"
Maurice let out a soft laugh. "He’s my True Mate."
That was all the answer I needed. I knew exactly what he meant.
I rubbed my forehead and cleared my throat. "The time will come, Maurice. I’ll tell Kay the truth. Yeah, you were protectinghim back then, but he’s not some hurt teenager anymore. He deserves more than being forever treated like one."
Maurice stood there with that same hollow expression. Then, without another word, he turned and started walking down the slope of the coastal hill.
Something hit me.
"Wait!"
I ran after him and grabbed his arm, stopping him.
His pale gray eyes looked almost silver in the moonlight.
"What?" he muttered.
"Thank you. For saving our lives."
He looked away. "You don’t need to thank me for saving his life. I still love him. That kind of love doesn’t just go away. Even now, with my True Mate."
There wasn’t much left to say after that. Just: "I hope you have a good life, Maurice."
