Page 49 of Savage Fate

“I cleaned up as best I could.” She motioned to the floor, where rust-colored splotches stained the wooden planks. “I couldn’t get all the blood out, though.”

I stood and awkwardly shoved my hands into my pockets. Was I supposed to thank her?

Valeria moved away from the door and strolled toward the wall where the picture of my mother hung. “I had this fixed too.”

A long stretch of silence passed while I tried to find something, anything, to say. “Does my mother have any relatives?” I couldn’t give two shits about Barric’s side of the family.

“Yes, but none in Silver Ridge.” Valeria wandered toward the crib. “She came from a pack up north.”

“Is her family in The Collective?” The bitterness in my voice was evident. Tamara had only wanted to save me from the group because I was her daughter.

“Not all of them,” Valeria admitted.

So Barric hadn’t been the one to bring my mother into The Collective. Her family was part of it too.

“Your mother was a good woman.”

How could someone be considered goodanda racist?

Valeria sighed and rested her hands on top of the crib railing. “She grew up in The Collective and didn’t have much of a choice, especially when her fated turned out to be Barric. Her love for him blinded her.”

“So what changed?”

A sad smile curved her lips. “You came along, and Tamara finally woke up.”

Barric hated me for turning his mate against him, but he was the one who killed her.

“She loved you so much, Tatum.”

I averted my gaze to the bloodstains on the ground. “I’m sure she did.” I was also sure she thought hiding me with humans was her best option, but my childhood had seriously screwed me up.

Valeria moved to a dresser, pulling open a drawer. “Would you like to look at a photo album?”

My entire body tensed at the thought of facing happy memories of my mother, father, and family. I’d rather stick my finger in a socket than peruse Barric’s joyful moments.

The old female shifter felt the tension and halted with a black photo album in her hands. As she studied me, another somber smile pulled at her lips. “Perhaps another time. When you’re ready.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be ready,” I muttered.

“These are just of your mother. No Barric.” Valeria set the album back in the drawer. “How about I get some pictures of Tamara and send them to you in Mohan Wilds? You can look at them whenever you want.”

I opened my mouth to protest when a tingle zipped down my spine.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Saint loitered in the hallway. “Ari and Olivia are looking for you, Valeria.”

She closed the drawer and smiled. “Thank you, Saint.” As she crossed the room, she scrutinized the two of us and then vanished into the hall.

Did she sense that he was my fated mate?

Saint’s brows furrowed as he stepped inside, analyzing the nursery. “Why does it smell like your blood in here?”

I propped my hands on my hips. “You didn’t have to push Fane so much back there.”

He groaned and rubbed his temples. “Again, I can’t always control my emotions, Tate. Iaman alpha and a male wolf. There’s only so much I can take.”

“Youwantedto piss him off. In fact, I’m pretty sure you enjoyed it.”

“Maybe just a little.” He held his thumb and index finger together.

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