Page 47 of Forever Mine

She let that slide, but moved on to equally hard ones. “So where have you been the last eight years? Do you have any idea what it has done your family? Your mother? They still mourn your loss all the time. It changed each of them. Collier Pack wasn’t the only one affected either. It dimmed Lily’s spirit. Liam took to drinking for a while,” I glanced at him and he cringed. “Don’t think I don’t know about those things, son.”

I wondered it were true. Did my leaving affect Liam so drastically? We weren’t mates then. We were barely friends. Aside from being his obnoxious twin's best friend, I didn’t think Liam Westin had really noticed me. Lily had made a few comments otherwise, but I hadn’t really believed her. Heck, Liam had all but confessed to crushing on me as kids and I still hadn’t believed him fully, either.

I took a deep breath and decided to get this conversation over as quickly as possible. Just rip off the Band-Aid. I smiled, remembering that was an old saying Jason Westin would tell us when we were in trouble. “The truth is hard sometimes, but it’s best to just get it out there, like ripping off a Band-Aid. Quick and it’s over and you’ll feel much better.” It amazed me, all the little moments that kept popping up in my mind.

“The night I left, I was raped. By six guys. I was left broken and alone to die in a dumpster, but I survived. It was really . . . hard. I was ashamed and embarrassed and couldn’t come home. I found out a few months later I had conceived Oscar that night.” I paused to let that sink in. I had done it. I told her without breaking down. Granted, I had steeled my nerves and determination and shut off my emotions to do it, but I did it. The rest of my story flowed easily as I explained how I’d met and gone to live with Annie and Jacob. That was almost harder at the moment, given the fresh sense of betrayal I felt towards them. I didn’t tell her about that, though.

I hadn’t mentioned that my wolf spirit had died. Being here, with the familiar woodsy scents, I couldn’t bring myself to say it. It was my breaking point, so I left it out.

Mary had very few questions. I could tell my story overwhelmed her. Her eyes were puffy and red-rimmed, fighting back tears by the end of our conversation. She hugged me tightly, but didn't press me for anything more. My instinct at her touch was to flinch away, but I didn't and it didn't take long until I relaxed into her, the loving arms of a mother I had missed so much.

Liam

Chapter 15

Seeing Maddie relax into my mother made my heart overflow with pride. I had a list a mile long of things I needed to do. It was Sunday, but I wasn't expected back in the office till Tuesday, so I didn't need to worry about work right away. I did need to talk to Patrick as quickly as possible. I didn't want to leave Maddie alone, though.

“Mom, we really need to go. Would you mind if Oscar stayed and played with Zander? They seem to be having fun and I need to talk to Patrick without little ears around.”

“Why? What's wrong?” she demanded.

I knew better than to make a rookie mistake like that with my mom. I leaned down and kissed her cheek. “It's nothing concerning. He asked me to report back when I got home. You know, after everything that happened with E last year.” It wasn't entirely true, but it worked.

“Oh, yes, yes, that's a good idea. You should get right over. Of course, as long as Madelyn is okay with it, Oscar is welcome to stay here. Though I won't promise not to spoil him while in my charge.”

I smiled. I wouldn't expect anything less, and the kid could use a little spoiling.

“Thank you,” Maddie told her, as we prepared to leave. “That would be wonderful, if you are sure it's no trouble.”

“Don't be silly. I've got Zander all afternoon, and he can help me entertain him,” she assured us as she shooed us out of the room and out of the house. Maddie left for only a moment, long enough to tell Oscar we were leaving.

Once in the car I took her hand and squeezed. “I know that was hard. I'm sorry.”

She smiled back at me. “Honestly, it wasn't so bad this time. Telling you was the hardest, mostly because it was the first time I had ever talked about it, but also because, well, it's you. Telling Lily wasn't as bad, and this time was even easier. I might as well get used to it. It's not like I can hide the fact I'm here.”

Everything she said made sense, though a part of me that only wanted to protect her hated putting her through it over and over again. We drove in comfortable silence to the cottage Patrick and Elise lived in on the edge of San Marco.

When we arrived and got out, she stopped me as we walked to the door.

“Um, maybe we should let your mom spread the word about me after all. I think it's going to get really awkward fast, having to explain myself to everyone.” She looked so uncomfortable it stirred my wolf.

“You don't have to tell anyone anything, Maddie. I will make sure no one makes you uncomfortable here.”

“You can't protect me from everyone, Liam. You can't protect me from any of this.”

“The hell I can't.” I was never so determined about anything in all my life. My mate didn't want to be harassed about her past, and it was my job to see that she wasn't. I kissed her hard on the mouth. “No one is going to bother you. I will protect you,” I told her, never meaning anything more in my entire life.

I wrapped my arm around her and kept her close to my side as we made our way to the door. I knocked and waited. I saw Elise peek out the side window.

“Crap, Liam's home and he brought company. Go get dressed,” I heard my sister demand in a whisper.

I shook my head. “Sorry, we really thought they'd be over this stage by now. Seriously, from the moment they mated, it's been call ahead or beware of what you're walking into.” I laughed. “They're pretty disgusting to hang around, can't keep their hands to themselves. It's bad.”

The door swung open and Maddie jumped back, caught off guard.

“Hey,” Elise said, giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. Maddie stiffened next to me but I could tell she was fighting to hold back a growl. “I didn't think you were coming home till tomorrow.” She turned to Maddie. “Hey, I'm Elise, Liam's sister. I don't think we've m—” Recognition and shock flickered across her face. “Maddie?”

“E, can we come in or are you going to make us stand here all day? I need to talk to Patrick,” I interrupted her before she could start. I knew by the way I walked ahead, shielding my mate and being far more protective than my sister was used to. I knew the smell of testosterone was filling the air.

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