Page 69 of Laid Bare

The only person absent from the whole equation is Marion. Mom and Dad would love her. I know it. They’d take her in, in a heartbeat, treat her like she’s their own.

Maybe, one day, when she forgives me, I can bring her here and introduce her.

Mom pulls out a folding chair for me at the table, placing me next to Luka while she takes the empty spot next to me, with Dad right beside her.

Now that we’re seated, Axel starts filling the plate in front of him with a little bit of everything before holding it out to me. I ignore the quiet aww coming from Mom and take it from him, exchanging it with my empty one.

Once everyone’s plates are overflowing, Mom starts the inquisition.

“Alright, tell me everything.”

And I do. I tell her about what’s been going on at the academy over the past few months. I touch on the things I’ve learned, the friends I’ve made, and the few places I’ve been. I gloss over the horrible details of the gala, only mentioning my dress, the dancing, and the limo ride there and back.

The stuff I don’t tell them though are all the bad things I’ve been through. My parents don’t need to spend their days worrying that something is going to happen to me while I’m gone, and they’d never know.

I suck in a breath when I get to the end, knowing there’s one last thing I need to tell them both. They deserve to know about my mates. Both of them. It wouldn’t feel right to claim only one of them, so they don’t look at me cross. And it certainly wouldn’t be fair to either of my guys if I choose one over the other.

“Mom, Dad, there’s one more thing.”

Dad puts his fork down, giving me his undivided attention. “What is it, Bails?”

Just rip the Band-Aid off.

“Axel and Luka are my mates. Both of them. I love them, and they love me. And no, Dad, this isn’t some passing infatuation, so wipe that look off your face. They’re my soul mates. It’s a forever kind of thing.”

Mom and Dad share a look I can’t seem to decipher. Zane and Bane sit rigid in their chairs, awaiting the condemnation from the two humans at the table, while Luka and Axel look relaxed like they already know what my parents are going to say.

And what they do say, shocks the crap out of me.

“Oh, we knew that already, sweetheart.” Mom waves off the concern. “The first time Axel and Luka came to see us after you left, they introduced themselves to us again, but they did so as our sons-in-law. Your dad almost blew a damn gasket, but after they explained it to us, we understood, and honestly, Bailey, we couldn’t be happier for you guys.”

I think my heart just exploded in my chest at their easy acceptance.

“Really, Mom?”

“Really, sweetheart.” She pats my hand. “You’ve got yourself two amazing men and possibly more from what Axel explained?”

My cheeks burn at her question, but I frantically wave my hands, not wanting to touch on the subject of Hudson, since he’s the only other mate that I know of. And he sure as hell isn’t welcome at this dinner table.

“Nope. Just the two.” I point my fingers at Axel and Luka.

“Well, just make sure you keep me apprised of any suitors you get.”

“Mom!” I groan, thoroughly embarrassed as the guys around the table all chuckle—including Dad, the traitor.

“I’m just saying. There are some fine specimens out there.” Mortification rides me hard as she tosses a saucy wink at Bane.

“I’m right here, darling,” Dad grits out, dragging her chair closer to his.

Ope. Someone’s green with jealousy.

“That you are, honey,” Mom says with a sultry smile, making everyone laugh.

I mock-gag at their lovey dovey display. If they were supernaturals themselves, I’d swear they were fated mates with how they act. But it's good to see that hasn’t changed in the time I’ve been gone.

“I really hate to cut this short, but we have a strict time limit we must adhere to, and if we don’t leave now, we won’t make it back in time,” Axel murmurs, swiftly pushing back his chair and getting to his feet. With a quick flick of his fingers, he buttons his jacket back up and straightens his cufflinks. The picture-perfect display of a rich lawyer.

Wait… what?

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