Page 103 of The Gamma's Second Chance

I smile down at my sleeping Daisy, pride rippling through me at the easy and open acceptance my parents have shown her. Not that I am surprised. Cassandra and my mom got along from the first moment they met. And I swear my mom had tears in her eyes when we showed them Cassandra’s ring and announced our decision to be chosen mates. Just like with Haven, my parents both made room for her in their lives and their hearts, welcoming her as part of our family as if she’s always been there.

I clear my throat. “I marked her at the ball,” I confess, knowing if I don’t she’ll yell at me about that too.

She gasps. “I thought you were waiting? I thought there was a special ceremony or—”

“It’s her birthday today, and that’s what she wanted,” I explain, leaving out the more intimate and private details of our decision.

“Oh my Goddess, it’s her birthday?!”

“Don’t make a big deal of it,” I warn. “She doesn’t want that.”

She scoffs, and I picture her pouting, but she changes the subject. “Do you need anything? Food? Clothes?”

“No,” I reply, stroking Cassandra’s back and then wrapping her up tight in my arm, my cheek resting on top of her head. “I have everything I need right here.”

“Nolie!” my mom shriekswhen we walk into our house later that day after Dr. Russo cleared Cassandra. But eventhough she shrieks my name, it’s Cassandra who she throws her arms around. “Oh Goddess, I am so glad you are okay!” she says, hugging Cassandra in a vise grip.

“Mom, please be careful with my mate,” I say, resting my hand on the small of Cassandra’s back.

“I’m fine,” Cassandra says, returning my mom’s squeeze.

I grunt, but I don’t move from her side. I couldn’t even if I wanted to. My wolf won’t let me.

As soon as my mom releases Cassandra, I tug her into my body, burying my nose into her hair and inhaling her scent.

Do I look like a whipped, possessive fool in love?

Yes.

Do I care?

Absolutely not.

My dad stands behind my mom, his arms crossed and a faint smile on his lips as he watches her.

“I told her I didn’t need anything,” I say to him.

He shrugs. “She’s been beside herself with worry all day, even though you told her Cassandra was fine and healing. She made stew, baked bread, and cleaned your entire house. Twice.”

“I’m changing the locks in the morning,” I mutter under my breath as my mom turns to go into the kitchen.

“What?” my mom asks, glancing at me over her shoulder.

“Nothing,” I reply, shaking my head.

Cassandra laughs, and I wrap my arms around her, inhaling her scent again. I can’t get enough of it, especially now that she has my mark and there is more depth to it, a subtle hint of sweetness underneath the wild daisy scent.“I can ask them to leave,”I mindlink her.

“Stew sounds delicious,” she says out loud, raising her volume to be sure my parents hear her.

I narrow my eyes at her but lead her into the dining room. My dad is already sitting, waiting as my mom dishes up thefood, and I plop down in the chair beside him, pulling Cassandra down in my lap before she can sit on her own. “We won’t stay for too long. I remember what it was like to be newly marked,” my dad whispers, winking at us.

I groan and rest my elbow on the table, rubbing my hand down my face. “Or you could just leave now,” I grumble.

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that,” my mom says, setting bowls of stew and slices of bread down in front of Cassandra and me. “I’m going to pretend you said ‘I love you, Mom.’”

My lips twitch, and I rest my chin on my fist as Cassandra digs into her food. “I love you, Mom.”

She smiles and leans down to pat my cheek. “I love you too, Nolie.”

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