Page 11 of Cheating Fate

She gave me a ‘Don’t be ridiculous’ look, although she continued to speak in a reasonable tone.

“Your Dad only wants to protect you—”

“ENOUGH!” I snapped, ripping my hand out of her grip before jumping to my feet.

Hands fisted on each side of my body, I glared at my mother, making no effort to hide how hurt I felt by her response.

“I’m so sick and tired of men talking about how they want to protect us. How can you of all people defend this? How can you side with him trying to put me in shackles?”

She sighed and shook her head before gently patting the seat I had just gotten out of.

“Sit down, sweetheart. I’m not siding with him. In truth, I warned him that this would horribly backfire. I’ve been in your shoes more than once, so I fully understand how you’re feeling. Please, sit down.”

Clenching my teeth, I complied. She caressed my shoulder in a soothing fashion. It took every ounce of my willpower not to pull away from her touch. It wasn’t that I didn’t want that comfort, but I just felt angry at the world.

“Why can’t the males in my life respect me and my intelligence?” I asked, the hurt I felt audible in my voice. “They value my opinion and often adopt my suggestions when it comes to battle and mission strategy. But when it comes to my personal life, all of a sudden I’m too stupid to think on my own?”

“No, my love. It’s not that at all. The reality is that none of it is about you. It’s all about them. Your fathers and brothers love you. Actually, it’s more like they worship you. If you weren’t my daughter, I’d probably be jealous about how much every single one of them is crazy about you.”

“Then they suck at showing it,” I grumbled, even though her words did slightly soothe some of the pain. I didn’t doubt that they loved me, but they were suffocating me.

She smiled. “I won’t challenge that part. They need to feel like they’ve done everything in their power to protect you because men don’t trust men. Khel, Vahl, and Tharek also happen to be extremely territorial. Before they allow another alpha to join the pack, he needs to prove his worth to them.”

“But it’s not about them!” I exclaimed, annoyed. “They’re wrecking my life because of their own issues.”

“You and I know it’s not about them, but that’s how their brains are wired. To them, they’re doing right by you and honoring you. This interference is their way of screaming to the world that you’re precious, and that they will all stand and fight for you. If they didn’t take the lead, show up ahead for you, it would be like saying that they didn’t care, that you don’t matter.”

“Dad, Uncle Ghan, and the others wouldn’t do this to my brothers. And my brothers wouldn’t do it to each other either. And yet they don’t love each other any less,” I challenged.

She nodded in concession. “You’re correct. But that’s because they trust women to enter a relationship with honorable intentions, but not men. Remember that Khel, Lhor, and Ghan grew up on Xelix Prime during a time when females were rare and a male’s greatest treasure. Having a female meant life for a male affected by the Taint. We cured that deadly illness barely ten years ago. You cannot expect them to just shed a lifetime of belief. Your Papa nearly died from this disease, as did your Uncle Ghan.”

I pinched my lips and gave her a stiff nod. Although I had been a young child at the time, I vividly remembered the despair I felt seeing my beloved Uncle Ghan’s soul steadily decaying as the disease spread through every inch of his body. He had been only a couple months away from taking his final breath.

“Your dad Khel may not be your sire, but he loves you above all your siblings. From day one, you have been his princess. Even Lhor conceded victory when your dad and Ghan were fighting for your affection. You should have seen how devastated he was when he realized he wasn’t your sire.”

I scrunched my face, shame burning in my gut again for the cruel words I spoke to him.

“You know I didn’t mean it,” I mumbled. “I guess I should go apologize.”

“Yes. But not now. Let him simmer for a while.”

My jaw dropped, and I stared at my mother in complete shock. She shrugged and gave me an unrepented look.

“I told him not to do this. Yes, he’s hurt. But he also knows that you love him. If you’re going to suffer for a week, it’s only fair that he should suffer a bit as well. He won’t be able to rest until things are patched up between you.”

“Wow! You’re ruthless!” I exclaimed, disbelieving. “But in the best kind of way…”

She chuckled and caressed my cheek. The love in her yellowish-brown eyes speckled with green had a wondrous warmth spreading through my chest.

“I love you, Mom.”

“I love you, too, sweetie.”

I drew her into my embrace and melted against her when she caressed my hair in that wonderful fashion that only a mother could.

“When you return, I will make sure nothing gets in the way of you finally meeting your Gavin.”

I slightly stiffened. Sensing the subtle change in me, my mother released me to study my face with an inquisitive expression.