Chapter 30

"Will you be back for dinner?" Mom threw me a knowing smile as she leaned her hip against the granite countertops.

"Probably." I innocently smiled at her.

"Suree," She nodded, clearly not convinced. "I'll count you in in case you do. In fact, I'll throw in enough for a feast in case..." She trailed off with a suggestive glance.

"Mom, no." I tried to keep a blank stare, even as embarrassment made my stomach churn.

"Go go," She shooed me away with a mischievous grin. "I'll see you later." She giggled.

I could only muster a wave as I left the house - leaving the adults to their chatter as I all but bounced over to our neighbours also known as my mates' house.

The way I had grown so accustomed to referring to them as 'my mates' had my chest swelling with both joy and surprise. I mean, when I moved here, I never expected my life to change so much. I thought it would just be my mom and me for who knows how long? Probably until I moved out after varsity. The thought of leaving her alone always left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I knew that there wasn't much I could do about that.

I knew and still know that she only wants the best for me and a part of that comes with me living my own life, but the thought never settled well within me. I always hated that thought of leaving my mom alone, but now, I know she'll never be alone and that itself brings a smile to my lips. It makes my heart feel a whole lot lighter and at ease. It's always just been her and I, but now things have changed and most probably for the better. Everything that has happened since we moved here has changed our lives forever and to be honest, I don't mind it one bit.

Before I knew it, I had my hand raised to the door I was so used to coming to nowadays. But, before I could even knock, the door opened to a nervous Nolan. My heart instantly dropped along with my fist as a frown settled onto my features.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

Nolan shakily smiled but shook his head as he gathered me into his warm arms and pressed a kiss onto my forehead.

"Nothing's wrong, Baby. It's just that you came at the most interesting time, is all." He chuckled. The nervous air still surrounding him like a cloud of smoke.

I gently pressed my hands against his chest and looked up at him questioningly. He was acting very weirdly.

"Where are Zane and Grace?" I almost breathily asked as I felt my throat constrict with worry. Horrible scenarios started playing in my head, instantly making my chest feel heavy and my stomach churn with nausea.

"Baby," Nolan softly called, but my attention was growing thinner with every second. "Baby," He softly repeated as he took my face into his hands and made me face his now calm features. His eyes didn't give me any reason to worry anymore that I started worrying that I might have been imagining the expression from earlier. "They are okay," He smiled, "I should have worded myself better. I'm just worried about you because..." He trailed off as he nervously licked his bottom lip. "Promise not to fre-"

"Is that her?" A soft, but firm voice asked. My muscles instantly jolted at the feminine, but strong voice that filled my ears.

Nolan instantly threw me a reassuring smile before pressing a kiss onto my forehead.

"Yes, Mom. It's her," He responded, instantly making my jaw drop to the floor for the second time in less than twelve hours. "Mel Baby, meet our mother, Olivia," He sighed as he gently took a hold of my hand and intertwined our fingers before guiding me into the house and closing the door behind us.

I was instantly greeted by a tall woman with brunette hair that was styled in a pixie cut hairdo. Her eyes were kind and wise onyx colour that made me almost squirm from their intimidating nature. A pair of diamond stud earrings adorned each of her ears along with a small hoop earring at the top of her right ear that was revealed thanks to her hair that was tucked behind her ear. Her pale skin was flawless which explained her lack of makeup except for her glossy red lipstick and eyeliner. Her perfectly arched eyebrows were clearly tweezed, but natural.

A royal blue, off the shoulder gown accentuated her every curve as it hugged her tall frame all the way to her knees. A pair of translucent heels decorated her feet that were equally pale. She had a warm smile gracing her lips even as she stood straight with her hand clasped in front of her. A silver watch shone from her wrist along with the silver marriage band with its large diamond on her wedding finger. She looked even younger than Damian's parents, honestly, she looked like she was in her early thirties.

"Mom, this is Melissa, our mate and Alpha Damian's daughter."

"Oh," Their mom gasped with a bit of surprise, but it didn't last because soon after her features calmed as the warm smile settled back against her lips. "Well, I didn't expect that. In any matter, its truly a pleasure to meet you, Dear. If you're wondering where Zane is, he is with their father. I'm sure they are almost done with their talk. In the meantime, how about you and I keep Grace company and get to know each other better? I look forward to getting to know my future daughter-in-law better."

"Oh, umm- alright." I awkwardly smiled at her as I felt Nolan gently squeezing my hand.

"I'll bring up some snacks for your tea party with Grace." Nolan kissed my temple before letting go of my hand. A chill instantly ran through my spine as a coldness washed over my body at the lack of contact between Nolan and I. I instantly missed his touch as I followed Olivia to Grace's room.

"Grace has told me quite a bit about you." She smiled at me.

"Really?" I curiously asked to which she gently nodded.

"My granddaughter clearly adores you," She gave me that warm smile of hers again. "So do my sons - even Zane," She sighed. An emotion I couldn't interpret marring her tone. "Melissa," She suddenly stopped to turn to me. "I know it's not exactly my place to say this, but I can't help but to need to apologise for my son's behaviour. Zane- " She paused as pain marred her features, "Zane has always been the more reckless brother, for the lack of a better word, but he has always been the one with the most insecurities. I wish he found a way to deal with them better than in hurting others or himself, but self-hate clouded my son's judgement for a long time," She weakly chuckled.

"I always wished I could help my sons, but I failed to be what they needed- no, what he needed when he needed me and I regret it to this day, but I am grateful that he met you. I don't think I can ever thank you enough for being there for him." She tearfully smiled at me as she gently took my hands into her much softer ones.

"I-I didn't do anything, Ma'am." I instantly shook my head.

She shook her own head and uttered, "You did, Sweetheart. You saved him from his own self-hatred. You gave him a chance when he didn't give himself a chance and you accepted him even when he honestly didn't deserve it. You have made my sons and grandchild the happiest I have seen them and as a mother and grandmother, I can't thank you enough for that. " She gently squeezed my hands.

"Thank you for your kind words, Ma'am," I tried to keep a stead smile as my own eyes filled with tears, but I refused to let them fall. "They are my mates and I'll always be there as best as I can for not only them, but for Grace too." Because this is not like some relationship that will end overnight, this is forever, and I'll treat it as such."

"That makes me happier than you'll ever know," She giggled, surprising me a bit because she looked more like the calm and most probably stoic type, "Now, let's go give Grace some company." She sweetly wrung my arm in hers before guiding me to Grace's room.

"Meli!" Grace instantly threw herself in my direction when we stepped into the room. Olivia didn't hesitate to let go of my hand so I could catch the little ball of energy.

"Hey!" I cooed as I peppered her face with numerous kisses until she was trying to get away from me. "How are you?" I asked as I squeezed her against my chest.

"I'm good," She giggled. "Nana's playing with me."

"Really? Would you mind if I joined you?" I enthusiastically asked.

"Nope!" She happily grinned.

That was all it took for Olivia and I to take our seats around the small, pink table with two stuffed animals. A 'pot of tea' and some actual cookies on a the equally pink plastic plate.

"Knock knock," Nolan vocally said as he walked into the room with a bottle of soda and another plate of cookies. "Your chef has arrived." He winked at me before placing the bottle and plate on the table, emptying the rest of the cookies onto the new batch.

"Thanks Papa!" Grace grinned at Nolan who smiled and pressed a quick kiss onto her cheek. He then moved over to me and pressed a featherlight kiss onto my cheek. "No, Papa!"

"No what?" Nolan asked confusedly as he straightened up.

"Kiss her here." She gestured to her own lips.

"But that's not for little girls to see." Nolan playfully teased.

"Then, I'll close my eyes." She happily closed her eyes.

"Me too." Olivia winked at us before closing her own eyes.

"Oh boy." He chuckled before looking at me.

I playfully pouted my lips while closing my eyes, not expecting to feel a pair of warm and soft lips against my own a few seconds later. It was a quick, but sweet peck that had me relaxing as a warm sensation settled into my chest.

"Are you done yet?" The curious little monkey asked.

Before I could respond, Nolan stole one more kiss before responding, "Yes, we are." As he straightened up.

If it wasn't for my complexion, I could tell that my warm features would not only feel warm but would look warm too. My heart was racing with joy as my lips buzzed at the small kiss we had just shared. It wasn't anything special, but at that same time, it was very special. The way I craved to feel his lips against mine again had me biting my inner cheek as not to whine and beg him for another.

"So, this is where you all are." A familiar voice suddenly filled the room.

"Daddy!" Grace happily giggled as she does with us all. This little girl never fails to make everyone special.

"Hey Princess," He smiled as he nonchalantly crossed the room until he was standing next to her. "What are you up to in here?"

"Having a tea party. Do you want to join us?" She asked with the cutest puppy dog eyes I have ever seen.

"Only if you get Grandpa to join us." He whispered to her, but we all heard.

"I heard that!" A muscular voice rang throughout the room and all but shook my insides.

"Grandpa!" Grace excitedly called as Zane put her back down so she could sprint out of the room to try and catch up to the man.

"I'm going to make myself a cup of tea," Olivia chuckled as she gracefully got up from the small seat. "Would you like some?"

"Yes, please?" I politely smiled as not to seem rude by declining.

"Great! See you downstairs when you're ready." She smiled at me before leaving me in the room with my two mates.

"So," Zane drawled as he made the short step to my side of the table - offering me his hands. I gratefully placed my smaller ones in his warm ones, allowing him to help me up and into his arms. My hands instantly pressed themselves against his chest. "How about we have a nap party?"

A giggle instantly left my lips as I tapped my fingers against his hard chest.

"Well, I don't think that's on the table for numerous reasons especially because you will be having a tea party with your daughter soon." I reminded him, even though I highly doubt he had forgotten to begin with.

"Perhaps," He whispered as he dug his face into the crook of my neck and placed a gentle kiss on the warm and sensitive skin. My breathing instantly hitched at the touch, but that was only the beginning of it. Another pair of lips soon careesed the other side of my neck from behind before I was caged between two large, firm and warm bodies.. "How about a kiss then?"

"I'll think about it." I nodded as I tried to keep my breathing stable.

A laughter boomed from his lips before he stole a quick peck from my lips.

"Think about it, Angel but I won't give you a choice. Those lips are too addictive." He winked as he let go of my waist while Nolan pressed one last kiss on his now favourite spot on my neck before they simultaneously moved away and exposed me to a chill I didn't know was even in the room.

"You two are dangerous." I pouted at the two brothers.

"Only for you," Nolan grinned as he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me flush against him. "Just as you are to us." He whispered before his lips met mine for a softer, more sensual kiss that left me equally breathless. Goodness, I missed them.