Page 69 of Can't Be Love

“I’m sorry I didn’t call you. It’s kind of a long whirlwind story, and it’s not like you ever called and told me about Jenna. I had to learn about her from Liam.”

“So this is payback? I was confused. She has an identical twin and I didn’t know it. I couldn’t tell which was which, but I didn’t know there were two to tell apart. It was making me crazy. I didn’t know how to talk about it,” he said.

“And I discover my best friend’s brother, whom I’ve labeled my sworn enemy and the biggest douchebag alive, is my true mate. Don’t you think that kind of freaked me out a bit? I didn’t want it to be true at first. I got scared and ran home with my tail between my legs. He came after me and I had to face the facts.”

“You said last night that you loved him. The bond doesn’t make you love him.”

“I know, but it does help. Once I stopped fighting it, I don’t know. He’s not at all the guy I had painted him to be. Like not even close. He’s a really great man, and he’s going to be an amazing Alpha someday. I’m terrified I’m not good enough to live up to Pack Mother next to him, but we’re worth trying. And I did fall in love with him somewhere along the way. I don’t even know when it happened, but I can’t imagine spending my life with anyone else. Don’t listen to what I’ve said in the past, Chase. Give him a chance. Get to know him, and decide for yourself.”

Chase shrugged. “I can do that. And wow, you’re going to be a Pack Mother.”

I hugged him. “I know. It’s crazy. And thanks. Now catch me up on what’s going on around here.”

Breakfast was soon ready and Chase filled me in on life with Jenna at the ARC. He was in his final year, and she still had one more to go, but was taking a few online classes to try and speed up her graduation. They were excited to start the next stage of their life together. And they loved the cabin so much that they had an identical one built back home, awaiting them.

They skipped the rest of their classes to hang out with us. Chase and Thomas were becoming fast friends. When bedtime came I was sad to see the day end, knowing we would be leaving early the next morning and heading for San Marco. I was excited to get home, but sorry to see our time with them was over. They promised to come see us over the winter holiday and I promised to do a better job of keeping in touch. It had been a great visit.

In comparison to how far we had already traveled, the drive from the ARC to San Marco was a breeze. Excitement built as we headed up the mountain for the final leg of our trip. I knew my wolf would calm and peace would find me as soon as we entered Westin territory, but as we pulled up to my family home I still didn’t find that sensation I had been bracing for.

Exiting the vehicle, I stretched, tense from another day of driving. Thomas walked around the SUV, giving me an appreciative look. He wrapped his arms around my waist and my arms naturally fell to his neck. He leaned down and kissed me.

I sighed happily, then took his hand and led him into the house. I could smell food cooking, which made my stomach rumble.

“What day is it?” I asked Thomas, feeling stupid for not even knowing.

“Tuesday, I think.”

“Really?”

He counted up the days in his head. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s Tuesday.”

“Hello?” My mother’s voice called out from further in the house. “Who’s there?”

“It’s me, Mom,” I hollered back as I dragged Thomas towards the back of the house heading for the kitchen which I knew was the only place my mom would be on a Tuesday afternoon. “She’s going to be so excited,” I told Thomas. “We made it for Tuesday night family dinner.”

He stopped, and I jerked to a halt. I looked up to find a condemning stare. “You didn’t tell her we were coming, did you?”

I gave him an apologetic look just as Mom came out of the kitchen. “Lily!” she exclaimed. “What a pleasant surprise.” She hugged me and glanced up at Thomas, then pulled back and looked back and forth between the two of us. “All the craziness is finally sorted, I see.”

“Mom,” I started, but she cut me off.

“I’ve been around a long time, and I know what a bonded couple looks like versus a mating one. When? And why didn’t you call and tell me?” she chastised.

“I wanted to surprise you,” I said sweetly as Thomas groaned and dramatically rolled his eyes.

“Well, I’ll take a surprise visit from the two of you anytime. Come on back to the kitchen and I’ll put you to work.”

“We’ve been on the road so long, I honestly didn’t realize it was Tuesday,” I confessed.

“On the road? Vacation or business?” she inquired.

I shared a look with Thomas. Certainly my mother knew where I’d been and what had happened to me.

“We’ve been to visit the Alaskan’s. Tulok was having an issue he needed my help with. Lily and I decided to make it a road trip home. We stopped by Chase and Jenna’s to surprise them, too,” Thomas filled her in for me.

“Well, it’s a great surprise, and I’m happy you’re both here. I’ve missed my girl,” Mom said with a tear in her eye. “I’m blessed to have four of my babies stay in Westin, but I’m gonna miss my Lily girl so much.” She stopped what she was doing and came over to hug me.

“Oh, Mom. I love you so much. That’s never going to change, and I promise I’ll visit as often as I can.”

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