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But instead, Tania stepped close and wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight.
I closed my eyes and slid my hands to her back, marveling at how perfect it felt to have my mate against my body.She pressed her lips to my ear and said, “You deserve to be happy.”
Then she kissed my cheek and my wolf whimpered inside my chest.She was going to leave.I couldn’t let her go.
She pulled away and I grabbed for her.“No.”
She smiled.“It’s okay.You know where to find me if you want to talk.”
I nodded as she pulled away this time.“Yes.But…”
Sue stepped up and tucked her hand into her daughter’s elbow.“Don’t worry Mason.You’ll be seeing us in the future.But I need to take my daughter home.She’s had a big day.”
“Mom.”Tania rolled her eyes as though her mom was being overprotective, but I suddenly noticed the pallor in Tania’s cheeks.
Despite my wolf desperately aching to wrap my mate up in his arms, I had to let her go.Her mother needed to care for her, in whatever special magic ways they had.
And one day soon, hopefully, I’d be the one to look after her when she wasn’t well.
“Okay,” I said, and reluctantly watched my mate walk away.
ChapterFourteen
MASON
The howl in my heart echoed in my head.But one look back from Sue, over her shoulder as she and Tania walked away, and my wolf quietened down.
My father reached out a hand and squeezed my shoulder and I turned toward him.His hair was thin, and he was balding.But he was still as tall as I remembered, with a strong face and the kind eyes I recognized whether in human or wolf form.
“Dad.”
He opened his arms and I stepped close, embracing his thin frame properly this time.It would take time to get him and Mom back to good health, but I would devote all my resources to make sure my parents never suffered again.
“Welcome home.”I directed them to follow me inside the newly renovated house.
“What do you mean?”Mom asked, walking closely behind me.Her voice sounded faintly scratchy, as if she was still getting used to using it.
I opened the back door and led them into the kitchen and open plan living area.“I mean… Sue used her magic to renovate this whole place, especially for you two.We bought another house earlier this week and can move in straight away.This place is for you.And the mortgage is paid off.”Or it would be once we finished our current job.
Mom walked over to the island countertop, running a hand over the expensive marble.“No.Mason, we can’t do that.”
Her voice was soft, broken almost.Rusty.
I glanced at Leo, who was staring with big eyes at our transformed kitchen.Before, there had been cracks in the drywall, olive green lino on the floors, and purple cabinetry that made the ultimate eighties statement.
We hadn’t been worried about living in a place that should have been gutted to the studs or torn down.It had been a means to an end.
Now it was a palace.A palace fit for our parents.
Leo put his arm around our mother’s frail shoulders.“Welcome home, Mom.Let’s take you guys on a proper tour and look at what else Sue did for you.”
Leo headed off with Mom, and I went to the fridge, newly stocked with food and drinks.“Dad, want a beer?”
Dad chuckled, the sound rusty and strained.“Love one.God, I can’t believe this isn’t a dream.I’m actually here, with you.As a human.”
I pulled out three beers and a lasagna dish, another magical gift from Tania’s mother.“You hungry?”
Dad’s eyes went big and round.“Famished.”Then he licked his lips.“I feel like I haven’t eaten in years.”
