Page 174 of Luna: Posy 2

"While Shawn, Jay, and Nathan took you boys for ice cream that night, I stayed back to clean up and found it. All these years, I saved it because it was a damn good plan. It was only after Peri's pool party that I understood why you threw it out. I had it framed yesterday so I will never forget."

"Forget what?" I sneered. "That I didn't know how to spell maneuver when I was fourteen?"

"Mason, I cannot apologize enough. Everyone, even my wolf and Nathan's, tried to tell me, but like the pigheaded man I am, I wouldn't hear them. I was so convinced I had to make you strong that I never saw how my words were killing you. I am so sorry, son, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to you."

I still didn't turn around, although I kind of wanted to. My poker face was solid, but I knew my eyes would give me away to anyone who knew me well.

Like Posy. She always watches my eyes for the truth.

"Mason, I want you to know three things. One, it was never your fault. It was never anything you did or didn't do. You were a kind, honest, hardworking boy who grew up to be a kind, honest, hardworking man. I was too blind to see that and too insensitive to appreciate it."

Okay. Wasn't expecting that, I told Garnet.

Me, either.

"Two, I am proud of you. I never should have called you a disappointment. You were right. You're not the disappointment.Iam. You are a great alpha, a great brother, a great son, and a great mate to your girl. Five Fangs will only grow stronger and better with you and your brothers at the helm."

Wasn't expecting that, either, I admitted.

Garnet stayed silent, and I wondered if he was as shocked as I was at all these confessions.

"Three, and most important of all, I love you. I can't remember the last time I told you that. Can you? I should have told you that every day of your life. You'd think, after everyone we lost in the sickness, I would have learned that you don't always have another day with someone. I wish I could have told Shawn and Jay and Willow that I love them just one more time, but I'm sure they died knowing I did. Yet here you are, my living son, convinced I don't love you because of my own stupidity."

My father's voice grew hoarse and thick as he continued, and I wondered what I'd see in his face if I turned around.

"I am so sorry I made you think that. I love you so much, Mason. You're my boy. Whether you can ever forgive me, whether you can ever think of me as your father again, you will always be my son, and I will always love you."

My eyes stung and my nose clogged up, but I forced myself to ignore it and not sniff. My moment of weakness with Posy the other day was as close to crying as I'd come in years, and I wasn't going to start now.

Especially in front ofhim.

"I understand if you can't or don't want to talk," he said, apparently wrapping up his speech. "All I can do is thank you for listening. If you ever want to talk, any time of the day or night, link me or call me or just come over. I am willing to do whatever it takes to earn your forgiveness and a place in your life again. For now, I'll leave you to your thoughts. I'm sure you want to get home to your brothers and that beautiful, sweet mate of yours."

I nodded once, then heard his footsteps walk out of the room and grow quieter as he headed down the hallway.

I don't know what to say to any of that. Garnet sounded as bewildered as I felt.

Yeah.

In a daze, I wandered out of my parents' house and walked down the driveway towards my truck.

The sound of running feet caught my ear, and I swiveled my head to see what was going on.

The boys came to save us, Garnet informed me with an amused huff right as my brothers' scent went up my nose.

The four of them raced up and came to a breathless, sweaty halt right in front of me. I frowned as I studied them. They'd at least had the chance to change into shorts and t-shirts. I was dying out here in my suit on this sultry summer evening.

The dry cleaning bill is going to be outrageous,I thought with slight annoyance.

"Sorry." Cole bent over and braced his hands on his knees as he panted. "We would have been here sooner, but we couldn't leave our sleeping girl without a guard, and Crew was the only beta still awake."

"Or not engaged in ... activities ... with his mate," Jay said tactfully.

My eyebrows shot up and I fought back a grin.

"You know it takes a while to get from Crew's place to ours," Ash continued the explanation while yawning, "and Sara wanted to come along, so that added a few extra minutes."

"Are you okay, Mase?" Wyatt's eyes glittered with worry.

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