Page 405 of Blood and Ruin: The Complete Series

I look to Rielle hoping to get some answers but she’s smiling at something behind me. I turn to see what it is when my heart stutters to a stop, before picking up speed. My body is frozen, my eyes wide as I struggle to understand what I’m seeing.

Orwho.

“Mom.” My heart beats like a drum in my ears drowning out the sounds around me. I glance back at Rielle, wondering if this is just another illusion but the smile she’s wearing doesn’t look forced or fake.

But I still don’t believe it. How can I?

Maybe I passed out, and this is all a dream? Or an illusion?

“She’s real.”

Two little words and my world tips on its axis. The knots in my stomach turn to butterflies, hundreds of them as they take flight.

“How?… How is this possible?”

Rielle looks to me. “I called in a few favors. It’s only for a few minutes, but I thought you’d like to see her. You never got the chance to say goodbye.”

I glance back at the one person I’ve wanted to see more than anything in this world. She stands there patiently waiting. A soft smile on her face.

“I can’t see her again after this?”

Rielle shakes her head, a sad smile on her face. “We have rules to keep the balance. But you’ll meet again someday.”

Someday…But someday isn’t today and today, I get to see her… hug her.

I move to take a step forward but stop. What if I wake up just as I reach her? What if this really is a dream? It’s too good to be true.

As if sensing my hesitation, Rielle places her hand on my back and gives me a little push.

“Go. Spend time with your mother. I’m sure she’s missed you just as much as you have her.”

I push myself forward, telling myself that this is real. Thatshe’sreal. I concentrate on one step in front of the other and before I know it, I’m standing in front of her.

“Kiarra.” She smiles and it’s just as warm as I remember. She takes the last step toward me, enveloping me in a hug.

A sob catches my throat as her scent of fresh roses surrounds me.

“My brave, beautiful girl. I’ve missed you.” She gently pulls back and wipes my tears away.

“I’ve missed you too… So much.” I pull her back into a hug, not wanting to let her go for even a moment.

“I can’t stay long, but I need you to know how sorry I am for leaving you. And the trials you face ahead.”

I shake my head, holding onto her as tight as I can. “It’s not your fault and I’m not alone anymore.”

“Your boys?” She gives me a knowing smile. “I knew you’d all always find your way back to one another, fated mates always do.”

My eyes widen. “You knew we were mates?”

“From the minute you met them.” She shakes her head laughing. The soft tinkle warming something inside my chest making me smile.

“They followed youeverywhere. One time, they asked me if they could live with you and even went so far as to offer to sleep out in the backyard.”

She raises a brow, a twinkle in her eye. “When you were kids, Jax asked me for your hand in marriage but promised to share you with his brothers.”

A laugh tumbles out of me. Even back then Jax was just as crazy.

My mom’s eyes find mine and I’m too afraid to blink in case she suddenly disappears. “If anyone other than the five of them came even close to you, they’d go crazy. If you were upset, they did everything to make you laugh.”

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