Page 44 of Claiming Xan
Kace simply smiled. “We’re the judge and the jury. Witnesses, so that whatever might be said today can’t be twisted and used against the other.”
“If it comes down to that,” Nevin added.
I nodded slowly. “Alright. Then let’s get this over with so we can all move on with our lives. Mom? You wanna speak your mind first?”
Mom visibly blanched. She looked between her three eldest children before her golden eyes landed on River. She studied him for a moment before frowning.
“Of course. I…want to offer an apology. I behaved poorly and doing so caused a chain of events that I deeply regret,” she said quietly. “I reacted like an angry mother, not like the pack Alpha I am supposed to be. I was not in control of my emotions that day,and I’ve said and done things I can’t take back, and I am sorry. If I could have it to do over again, things would be different.”
She drew in a deep breath, then shook her head. “Worse, I endangered your life because of my harsh reaction. I did not act as an Alpha should have…and it might’ve broken my family.” Her shoulders slumped. She ran her hands over her face and through her dark hair, then looked at me. “Do you hate me?”
I hated that she looked like she was about to cry. “I could never hate you,” I told her. “You’re my mom, but what you did was cruel and unfair to River, and I don’t regret standing up for what I felt was right. These past two weeks have been awful, but somehow, River came back to me and I’ll be damned if I let you chase him away again. If that means we leave the pack and move into town, then that’s what we’ll do.”
“Xan—”
“No, Mom. I mean it,” I said sharply. “I know you don’t like him or trust him, but you’ve never even given River a fair chance! All you know is what you’ve read about Alpha-Omega twins, while I’ve spent time with him. I’ve gotten to know him and I like what I see. He’s not a monster. He’s just a bit growly.”
I reached over and squeezed River’s arm, then patted it. Then, steeling myself for her reaction, I pulled down the collar of my shirt to expose my mating mark. “He’s also my mate.”
A gasp escaped both Mom and my sister, Quinn. “I know what you’re going to say, so don’t bother. ‘Xan, you’re too impulsive. Xan, you’re too young to know what you want. Xan, you’re throwing your life away.’ Well, fuck it. Too late now. I’m choosing River, and if I have to choose him over family, then so be it. I don’t want to, but if you can’t accept my decision, then I have no choice. River is a part of my life now.”
“Xan…” Mom looked pained.
I took a deep breath and held up my hand. “Stop. Before you say anything else, there’s one last thing you need to know,” I toldher, despite the squirming in my stomach. Was this morning sickness? Or was it simply just nerves? “I’m pregnant.”
Mom covered her mouth with her hand like she might be sick, while my Alpha siblings just stared at me. I squared my jaw. “I’m pregnant with River’s child, and we’re keeping it. So before you go casting judgement, know that I’m carrying your future grandchild.”
The room was silent. No one dared to speak. Nevin fidgeted nervously, nibbling on his lip.
“Oh, Xan,” Mom said in a despondent voice. “This isn’t what I wanted for you.”
Anger blistered through me, hot and sudden. I leapt to my feet and slapped the table with both of my hands, growling. “Well, maybe it’s whatIwanted for me! Didn’t you stop and think about that?” I shouted. “I finally find someone that makes me happy and you can’t even accept him? You accepted Nevin, and his ex nearly kidnapped me!”
Nevin flinched and mouthed the word “sorry.” I shook my head. It was a low blow, but I could apologize later.
“River is my mate. He is my Alpha, and I am his Omega. The end. Do with it as you will.” I pushed the chair back and River stood. I grabbed his hand, steadfast. “If we’re done here?—”
“Wait!” Mom was on her feet, moving towards us quickly. River snarled and took a step forward, as if to protect me, but I placed a hand on his chest. “Xan, baby, please! Don’t go. I’m sorry.”
She reached for me, tears streaming down her face, and my resolve crumbled. She looked so damn fragile in that moment, that I folded into her embrace and let her hug me. I dropped my forehead to her shoulder as she squeezed me tightly.
“What can I do to fix this?” she whispered. “Tell me.”
I pulled back and held her out at arm’s length. She stared at me so helplessly. I swallowed the emotion clogging my throatand said, “You can start by giving River a second chance—and actually trying to get to know him.”
She nodded slowly. “Will you move back in? Babies are expensive. You’ll need to save money, and?—”
I stopped her. “It depends. Will you start treating me like you treat Kace and Quinn? Like adults? I know I’m the youngest, but I’m not a child anymore, Mom. I have adult needs, and one of those needs is to share a bedroom with my mate. Is that going to be a problem?”
She hesitated, glancing between me and River before swallowing. “No. If you are mates, then…” She took a deep breath. “The baby needs both of its parents. I won’t lie. It will be…a big adjustment for me, but I’ll try, okay? Give me a second chance.”
“Kace?” I asked. “What do you think?”
Kace cocked his head, then gave a sort-of half smile. “I think it should be up to River, honestly. He’s the one that Mom turned on.”
Everyone turned their attention to my mate. River bared his teeth with a low growl. “What?”
“Can you give Mom another chance if we move back in?” I asked him.
