Page 13 of Dane's War

“I left him at the clubhouse last night, and he let me go.”

“I know he did, sweetheart, but I also know he didn’t want to. Bandit, as bullheaded as he can be, admitted that to your dad and me. He also told us how he’d gotten in Dane’s face about his womanizing ways and how he has a past with women.”

“Yeah, I heard what Bandit said. I also know Dane played Sloane.” I didn’t like this.

“One thing I learned with your dad is you can’t hold his past against him when it’s not his present. It’s not his relationship with his mate. All you can do is show him that you won’t put up with being played. Show him the woman you are, and if he’s anything like his own dad, then he’ll love you.”

“I knew his dad long ago. I knew Dane’s mother. I knew she was a chosen mate and not a fated one. Shewas killed by blood witches. That kind of thing has an effect on a man.”

My heart clenches at the knowledge of Dane losing his mother.

“I don’t know what to do about all of this,” I admit.

“There’s nothing to do but be yourself. You’ll know what to do when the time’s right. Let the fates and goddesses show you the way. You let them, they’ll do just that. I’m sure of it,” Mom says gently and reaches out to curl her hand along the side of my face. “Now, will you tell me what happened last night?”

Sucking in a breath, tears well in my eyes. “I can’t.”

“Okay, Raine,” she murmurs and pulls away, eyes still gentle as her voice. “But does it have anything to do with you moving home?”

There’s no hiding the fact my heart starts beating faster, and my breath seizes in my lungs.

She nods, accepting this as my answer. “Right, sweetheart, I’ll tell you this. You can’t hold things like this in, but I’ll buy you some time with your brother and dad. Still don’t think it will stop your mate from demanding answers.”

“What’s that mean?” I ask, only to jump as a knock sounds at the front door.

“Like I said, he’s your mate. He’s not going to letyou go. He might have let you come home last night, but I’m sure it was because he could sense you needed to do just that.”

She moves around the counter, heads for the front door, opens it, and steps back. “Good morning, Dane, Raine’s right through the living room, in the kitchen. There’s coffee in there. Help yourself.”

Oh. My. God.

Please tell me my mom did not just invite Dane into the house.

“Thank you, ma’am.” Dane’s gruff voice sends a shiver down my spine.

“Call me, Rena.” Now, that’s something she never even allowed Brady to do.

Holy crap.

I can’t believe this.

Chapter Ten

Dane

“I’m gonna go out and let you two talk,” Rena remarks loudly, a smile pulling at her lips. “Sweetheart, I’ll be back. If you need anything, just call. I’ll be back before your dad and brother.”

I was able to read between the lines on that one. I had time with my mate, but not all the time in the world. The dad and brother were out, and she’s the reason for that.

“You don’t have to leave Mom,” Raine calls out.

Rena doesn’t respond to her daughter, but she does meet my eyes. “I hope you can get her to talk to you. You hurt my daughter, and what my mate and son could do will be nothing compared to what I will.”

“Iwouldn’t do anything to intentionally hurt your daughter,” I tell her and leave her to go find my mate where she told me she was. Not that I needed her to tell me. I could smell the sweetness that is Raine from outside the house.

I find Raine sitting on a stool on one side of the counter, a mug clasped in both hands. Her eyes were wide, and they were on the flowers I was holding in one hand.

“You brought me flowers?” she whispers.

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