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“How could you say that to us?” my alpha father demanded. His red hair and green eyes matched mine, but that was where our similarities stopped. He was an asshole and as distant as a parent could be.
“As easily as you cast me aside,” I said, keeping my face blank. “If you don’t want me to leave right now, I suggest you figure this out.” My words to Rhonda were clipped and her smiling façade slipped into one of pure hate. I couldn’t be the first to try and put her in her place.
I never thought I’d reach a day when I preferred Grady Stone, but here we were.
“We’ve been so worried about you,” Mom said as she looked at me, playing up the hurt parent role.
“Well, I’m shocked to hear that. You didn’t worry when you cut me down every chance you got,” I said with a shrug. Unlike everyone else involved, I gave zero fucks if my reputation tanked for being a bitch.
“We just want to make amends,” my beta father offered, his hands out placatingly, but I just rolled my eyes.
“I have no interest in that. You chose to make me feel like less than. If that’s how you raised me, I want no part in continuing a relationship. You made a mistake coming here if that was your goal.”
“I see that the dramatics weren't something you grew out of,” Mom sighed. “I always did try to teach you how to be a good omega and you never liked it.”
“No, you taught me how to have no real thoughts or character,” I said. “My pack has no problem with the omega I’ve become.”
She smiled smugly. “They can thank me later.”
The audacity of this woman.
“Don’t worry, there’s not a damn thing they should thankyoufor, except maybe pushing me to grow up too fast,” I said. My voice was growing tired.
“You missed out on a great life with a perfect pack,” Mom continued as if I didn’t say anything. “Morgan and the Forrest Pack are wonderful. We’ve enjoyed getting to know them and supporting them on their journey.”
“Good! Go be a happy family then,” I said. “You deserve each other.”
It definitely was not meant as a compliment and she recognized that, my mother’s smile slipping into annoyance.
“Don’t be uncivil, Eleanor Winters,” she snapped.
“And there she is, ladies and gentlemen, my real mother,” I said, smiling a syrupy-sweet smile that she had always hated. It was my ‘fuck you’ that she couldn’t truly call out.
“How is your relationship with your mother, Morgan?” Rhonda asked, turning the tides. From her excitement, I had a feeling they discussed this before.
There was a sniffle and I bit back my eye roll as she began talking in a shaky voice. “My parents were killed when I was in elementary school. It was awful. I suddenly went from being the center of their world to not having that connection. My grandfather took me in but he was a busy man, he didn’t have time to figure me out. So, I was raised with a firm, but fairly silent hand.”
“Oh that’s terrible,” my mom said, standing up to fold Morgan into a hug. “It must have been so tough. You know if you ever need a mom, I’m here for you.”
“Thank you,” Morgan sniffled, giving me a wink over my mother’s shoulder as if I cared at all that they found each other. She was trying her damndest to make me jealous and it was honestly hilarious.
“How does that make you feel, Ellie?” Rhonda asked. “Not only did your mother defend Morgan before even meeting her. She put your character down to do it. Now she’s offering to be a surrogate mother. That has to hurt.” She gave me a sympathetic look but I’d already given this particular answer.
“Like I said, they can have each other. Hopefully, she can treat Morgan better than she treated me. I no longer need nor want my mother in my life, or these terrible excuses for fathers. Not one of you defended me or built me up, you let her ruin a child’s confidence until that child was old enough to run. For all your troubles you've won Morgan, I hope you're all very satisfied with your choices.”
“See, this is exactly the kind of awful attitude I’ve had to endure. She treats us as if we've had no impact on her whatsoever despite the time and effort we put into making her life comfortable and safe,” my mother said, gesturing to me with a look that was far angrier than I’d seen in a long time.
“So, how about my siblings?” I countered. “How is that relationship? Does Micah call you to check in? Did Tori not run the first chance she could to escape you? If all three of your children have gone little to no contact, maybe you’re the problem.”
“How dare you?” my mother gasped. She started to lunge toward me but my alpha father held her back. For my part, I kept my reaction locked down tight.
“I’ve said my part. They can have each other. I’m happy and have an amazing pack,” I said simply as I stood up, ignoring the protests from the crew. “Please never contact me again. Any of you.”
This was the moment that I knew would shift my perspective. I’d finally been given a chance to say my piece, to tell my parents how they’ve always made me feel.
And now?
Now I knew I’d be a good partner and mother because my pack and this town have taught me how to be more than just strong, they’ve taught me how to be a better person.
