Page 19 of The Alpha's Second Chance Mate

“I know the next question,” I said.

“The guy at the door today.” Hope gleamed in his eyes. “Is that… uh, is he my dad?”

The sad, yearning desire in his voice was like an icy rod stabbing deep into my heart.

“Yes, Ash. He is. His name is Cole Garrett.”

“Why didn’t I ever meet him?” Ashton said, the hitch in his voice betraying just how upset he was. “Why did we live so far away from here so I could never be with my people? My actual pack?”

Hearing that hurt even worse. For years, I’d wondered if I was doing the right thing. I’d done my best to put him in diverse schools to ensure he was around other shifter children. I’d wanted him to be around others of his kind, but that hadn’t worked out as well as I’d wanted. Those shifters hadn’t been part of his pack. Histruepack. It had been awkward and difficult for him to make friends with them. It also didn’t help that Ashton was an alpha like his father. He’d intimidated the other shifter kids. All the more so when in the last year or so, as he started puberty, they’d sensed the power within him.

That power imbalance meant most of his friends were humans. That was fine, but I was very aware that something was missing in his life, a piece of a puzzle I’d tried to fill for fourteen years but couldn’t.

I’d always know that sooner or later, I’d have to bring him home. I’d put it off for as long as I could, even though I knew he’d only feel complete if he was with his true pack. It was partly why I’d gone along with Stormy’s suggestion of coming home. Before my engagement with Perry had fallen apart, I’d dropped hints about how nice the rural areas of Georgia were, trying to work upthe courage to talk about moving closer to my childhood home. Now, instead of easing Ashton into it, I’d thrust him into this world. A father, an aunt, a pack, a hometown, all with barely any warning or preparation. I felt like a goddamn terrible mother, even though the rational part of my brain told me it wasn’t true.

“It’s hard to explain,” I said. “I’d planned on bringing you back one day, but things didn’t work out the way I wanted.”

“Well, was it true my dad didn’t know about me before he left town? Is that why he never tried to find me?”

“That was…” I paused, trying to figure out how to explain. Technically, thatwascorrect, now that I’d heard the truth. Finally, I said, “A bit of a lie.”

“What?” Ashton gasped. “You always said the most important thing is telling the truth.”

“Yes, but sometimes the truth hurts,” I said. “And I didn’t want to hurt you. Now that I’ve talked to your dad, it turns out, in a roundabout way, thatwasthe truth. I thought he knew about you and didn’t care, but he really and truly didn’t know. I don’t know if that makes any sense.” I put a hand to my forehead.

“What the hell does that even mean, Mom?” Ashton said, shoving his plate of mostly uneaten pizza away.

“Fine. You’re still my baby, but you aren’t a child anymore. This is partly your story, and you deserve to hear it.”

Then I told my son the whole story. From the moment Cole left town all the way to the conversation out on the porch. The anger on Ashton’s face faded as I spoke.

“So,” I said, “your father says you’re welcome to join the pack, and they’ll accept you with open arms, but it’s up to you. Theball’s in your court now. You’re not eighteen yet, but I can’t make this decision for you. Whatever you decide, I’ll go with it.”

Saying the words felt a little like jumping from a high cliff into a pool of water below. Would I be safe? Was the water deep enough? Would I float back to the surface, or sink to my doom?

“Can I think about it a little bit?” he asked, looking a little shell-shocked.

It was so much information and pressure to put on a boy so young. I hatedthis. Silently, I cursed Cole’s father and sister for what they’d caused.

“Yeah, buddy, that’s fine,” I said. “I figured you’d need some time.”

Nodding, he pulled his plate back toward him. Not even all these life-altering revelations could halt the appetite of a teenage boy. Before he could start eating, I got up and pulled my chair over so I could sit next to him.

“I love you so much. I hope you know that,” I said. “I would never have done any of this if I’d ever thought there was a better way. I’m sorry for everything.”

“I love you, too, Mom. It’s okay. It’s all sort of weird, isn’t it?”

“Very,” I agreed.

We hugged, and I held him tight for a few seconds longer than usual as I fought to keep my tears at bay.

“Mom?”

“Yes, Ashton,” I said, my voice muffled against his shoulder.

“You’re choking me a little,” he said in a strained whisper.

I loosened my hold on him, then scooted back. “Oh, damn! Sorry.”

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