Page 126 of Broken Souls

“Don't even start. I'm going for a run.”

I go outside and shift into my wolf. I'm getting used to Axe's violence. But I don't want to tolerate it. I don't know what I have to say to get through to him. He needs to get a hold on his paranoia. I push that out of my mind and focus on my wolf. It feels so good to run as my wolf, feeling the breeze brush through my fur. I run to my mum's house to see her. Axe will probably get annoyed that Dash didn't take me to her house since it's off territory. I want some time away from Axe. Now that we have a baby, I can't stand the drama anymore. So it's best I have some distance instead of yelling in front of Cash.

“Elora, how are you?” Mum smiles when she answers the door.

“Fine.”

We walk into the living room after she's offered me a drink.

“Creed ran into those pack members you said were made rogues earlier,” she says.

Lucky I mentioned it to her so they were prepared for running into wolves.

“Oh, did anything happen?” I ask.

“Creed said they looked like they were shitting themselves. I guess they've never seen a rogue before.” She chuckles.

“What did Creed do?”

“He messed with them a bit; growling which scared them off in the other direction.” She bites her lip as if to prevent her laughter.

“Where is he now?”

“In the shower,” she says, and it's just now I hear the shower. “How's my grandson doing?”

“He's good. How can a couple fight when they have children?” I ask curiously.

“Are you fighting?” Her eyes soften.

“No, because I don't want to do it in front of Cash.”

“If you need to talk to Axe, do it while someone is babysitting Cash,” Mum advises.

“I feel something has changed since I became a mum. Drama, violence, bullshit. I just don't want to deal with it anymore.”

“You're growing up. You're realising the only important thing in your life is your son so you're not going to tolerate any shit anymore.”

“When you had me, did something change inside you?” I wonder aloud.

“Before I had you, I only worried about myself and what I wanted. I looked into your eyes the moment you were in my arms and I never wanted to let you go. But then I looked around the cave I was in and realised the dangerous situation we were in and I knew I had to be selfless. I had to put what I wanted aside. I think that's when my maturity kicked in.”

“I never knew this type of emotion was real. I would kill for Cash. I would give my life for his.” I zone out as I think of my son.

“You're an amazing mum.” She gives my hand a squeeze. “Much better than I ever was,” she mutters.

“You would have been an amazing mum too if my dad had grown the balls to protect you.”

***

When I get back home Axe is sitting on the couch holding Cash. I don't say anything. I walk upstairs and have a shower. When I go back down to the kitchen I can feel Axe staring at me.

“I'm sorry, Elora,” he says quietly.

“If you were, you'd stop doing stupid shit,” I say, then take my food upstairs.

Later on Axe comes into the room and puts Cash in the cot. He sits on the bed and sighs.

“I’m sorry for the violence but I'm not sorry for the reasons why I do it,” he murmurs.