Mother Vs. Mate

KYRIL

Despite Kyril’s occasional failures, his mistakes, and even his most unforgivable act all those years ago, his mother’s faith in him had never wavered. Until now.

He’d never seen her look at anyone the way she was looking at Lilac now. And, judging by Lilac’s reaction, Kyril was not the only one who noticed.

Lilac had taken a shaky step back, cowering behind him, the poor thing.

“Mom,” Kyril snapped. “Why are you staring at my mate like that?”

Kyril felt his eyes narrowing into an angry scowl. He wouldn’t allow anyone to intimidate his other half, not even his own blood.

“Mate?” his mother asked, shaking her head. “But look at her! She’s just a child.”

“Rose!”

At least, Kyril’s father found her behavior inappropriate too. Marcus grabbed his mate’s hand, shooting her a disapproving look.

“I’m not saying anything he doesn’t already know, Marcus,” she defended.

“For your information,” Kyril growled, “she is eighteen. Of age. She just happens to look…”

“Like a child?!”

“Enough!” Kyril roared. “Did you come to introduce yourself or just to scrutinize my mate?”

“Actually, we came because—” Rosalyn began, but Marcus took an authoritative step forward, interrupting her.

“Son, forgive us,” Marcus said. “It’s been a long journey. We will continue this later. Won’t we, Rose?”

“I suppose we’ll have no choice. They’re mates now.”

Rosalyn sighed and stepped out without another word, leaving the three of them in silence.

Kyril was fuming. From the look on his mate’s face, she was on the verge of tears.

Marcus, ever the diplomat, tried a smile. “Don’t worry, dear,” he said to Lilac. “My wife can be...quick to judge. But her heart is good. Once you get to know her, you’ll see.”

“Thanks, Dad,” Kyril said, holding his mate close, trying to reassure her.

Marcus was about to follow Rosalyn out when he turned back to Lilac with a warm twinkle in his eyes.

“You know, Kyril is very lucky that you came along when you did. He was going a little crazy before he found you.”

~Literally~, Kyril thought, feeling the shame bloom up inside him once again.

But his father hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings. He was only trying to make Lilac feel better.

And it seemed to be working because she smiled.

“Actually,” Lilac said, “~I~ found ~him~.”

Marcus beamed. “Is that so? You’ll have to tell us all about it.”

Marcus hugged Kyril tight then gently tapped his cheek in a fatherly way. “We’ll see you at breakfast.”

Lilac

“How could you ambush me like that, Kyril?” Lilac asked, pacing in the bedroom, on the verge of a nervous breakdown. “Your mother hates me!”

Kyril was sitting in bed, trying to get Lilac to lie down so he could comfort her properly. But the last thing she felt she could do right now was be still.

She needed to move, to have some semblance of control, after that horror show of an introduction.

“Don’t overreact, Lilac,” Kyril said. “She’s just... surprised, I think. Fourteen years is a big age difference.”

“But we’re mates. It’s not like we can help it!”

“I know, little flower. Come here.” Kyril patted the bed.

Lilac pouted, but she was powerless to resist him. She lay down beside him, drawn to the comfort his body afforded.

She was so lost in her own head that she could only hear half the words he was saying.

“You have to understand,” Kyril said, grazing her cheek with his fingers. “They come from a different generation.”

“It just... it scares me, Kyril.”

“Why?”

“What if she’s right?” Lilac asked. “What if I’m wrong for you? What if Selene made some sort of mistake?”

“Lilac...” Kyril started, his voice stern.

His change in tone forced her to turn and look him in the eye. His gaze was intense and unwavering.

His hand clasped to her cheek, keeping her eyes on his.

“You are my mate. We belong together. There’s nothing I’ve ever been more certain of in my life. Okay?”

Lilac nodded.

She melted into his arms as a solitary tear rolled down her cheek. She didn’t realize until now how exhausted she was.

“Tomorrow, we’ll make my parents breakfast, and we’ll get a fresh start, okay?” Kyril purred.

“Mhm,” Lilac said, eyes closing.

She could still hear Kyril whispering to her, lulling her into a peaceful trance, but she couldn’t focus on the words. No, the quiet and dark were her only companions now.

Finally, safe in her mate’s arms, Lilac felt all her fears and anxieties disappear as she surrendered to sleep.

KYRIL

He waited until he was sure Lilac was in a deep slumber before carefully sliding from her embrace and sneaking out of the room.

This couldn’t wait until breakfast. After the way his mother had behaved, he needed to confront her this instant.

He knocked hard on their bedroom door. Whether his parents were asleep or not, he didn’t care. Outrage left no room for decorum.

There was a sound of shuffling footsteps, and then the door opened, and his mother exited in a robe.

“Kyril,” she said, sighing. “Let’s not wake up your father.”

She quietly closed the door behind her and followed Kyril into his office. As they sat down, he didn’t even know where to begin. He was still so furious.

“I know what you’re thinking, Kyril,” his mother started. “And you’re right. I spoke out of turn.”

Kyril had inherited the ability to read minds from his mother. Along with her ocean-blue eyes and messy curls.

“Don’t,” he said. “Don’t try and get into my head right now.”

“You must understand,” Rosalyn said. “I only have your best interest at heart, Kyril. That girl...”

“My mate, you mean.”

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with her. Nothing at all.”

“Then why did you speak to her like that?”

Rosalyn looked down with a pained expression. “Kyril, think of your behavior over the past few years. How close you’ve come to going feral. When your wolf takes control, sometimes you...you lose yourself.”

Kyril understood what she was implying, but he could not stop his hands from clenching into fists.

“So that’s what you think?” he asked. “That she’s not my real mate? Just someone for me to...”

“No, that’s not what I’m saying—”

“Then ~WHAT~?!”

He couldn’t help but yell. His mother was muddying up the promise of his future with the sins of his past. And for what? Why?

“Your impulses, Kyril,” Rosalyn said, leaning forward. “They are not always to be trusted. You know that better than anyone.”

“With Lilac, it’s different.”

Rosalyn looked at him now, really deeply looked into his eyes, and after what felt like an eternity, she nodded.

“You’re right,” she said. “She really is...your mate. And I...oh, Kyril. Please forgive me.”

Rosalyn embraced Kyril without warning, tears forming in her eyes.

He was still angry, but he knew he couldn’t stay that way for long. Not when it came to his mother.

Whether he was an alpha or not, she was the one person who could reduce him to a little pup.

“I know, Mom,” he said, hugging her back tight. “It’s okay. I’m sorry I yelled.”

She pulled away. “I’ll make it up to you and to Lilac,” she said. “I promise.”

“C’mon,” Kyril said, starting to get up. “You should get some sleep.”

But Rosalyn remained seated. She took Kyril’s hand with a somber expression.

“Earlier you asked why your father and I returned…”

“I assumed it was because of my mate.”

Rosalyn shook her head gently. Kyril sat back down, frowning.

“Then what?”

“I believe there’s a reason I behaved so strangely with you and Lilac, Kyril,” Rosalyn said quietly, almost looking ashamed. “Your father and I, we had just returned from seeing...your brother.”

Kyril’s eyes bulged in shock. “Zion?! You mean you—”

“I’m his mother, Kyril,” she said, “even if not by blood. I could feel his pain. I knew he was still alive. Just as I can read your mind, I can read his. I could feel him calling to me from deep within the forest.”

“Then you know,” Kyril said darkly. “What he’s become…”

Rosalyn took her son’s hand with a new urgency now, her eyes pleading.

“There’s still a man in him, Kyril. There is still love in his heart. You have to promise me…”

“Promise what?”

“He’s your brother; he’s family. You mustn’t spill his blood. Please, Kyril. Promise me.”

“If he comes after Lilac again…” Kyril said, shaking his head. “How am I supposed to spare his life if he’s trying to kill my mate?”

“Try to see it as...your amends. For what happened to Serena.”

Kyril bowed down his head, overcome with guilt and anger and confusion all at once. But when he looked back up at his mother, she was still asking him with her eyes.

~Promise me!~

And, although it killed Kyril to do it, he nodded his head. ~I promise~.

Lilac

Where are you?

Lilac

I just woke up.

Kyril

Downstairs, sleepyhead!

Kyril

Everyone’s waiting.

Lilac

You mean...for breakfast?

Lilac

That’s still on?

Kyril

Don’t worry. My mother will behave.

Kyril

She promises.

Lilac

Lilac didn’t like the idea of having to see Rosalyn again after last night, but Kyril was her mate. And she was going to have to learn how to live with his mother one way or another.

~It’s all going to be okay~, she told herself. ~You won’t be alone. Kyril will be there. His dad, Marcus, will be there, and he’s nice! There’s nothing to worry about.~

She quickly got up, washed her face, and put on her favorite sundress. Passing by her dresser, she noticed the ambrosia-stone bracelet.

~It’s so pretty. It feels like a waste just leaving it there. Besides, this will make me look more grown-up.~

Lilac slipped the metal band around her wrist and made her way downstairs, giving herself a mental pump-up speech.

~You’re not going to freak out. You’re not going to hide. You’re Kyril’s mate. Act like it!~

She nodded to herself, feeling more ready than ever, then threw open the door to the kitchen.

She expected to see everyone. Kyril, Marcus, and Rosalyn, all together. But to her surprise and horror, the only one in the kitchen was Rosalyn.

Another ambush.

~Oh no~, Lilac thought.

“Lilac,” Rosalyn said. “I think we should talk.”