Her grip was fiercely tight, and I felt her tears on my shirt as I squeezed her.
“You’re here,” she said. “And you brought my favorite daughter!” She released me to throw her arms around Jade. Jade’s eyes were wide as she hugged my mom too, looking at me for confirmation.
I gave her a small smile. It was what I could manage. Though she and my mom had met through video calls, my mother’s personality was even stronger than my mate’s.
“It’s nice to know that I’m at the top of the incredibly long list,” Jade finally said, relaxing after a few moments.
I was an only child.
“It was a hard decision to make, but I made the right choice,” my mom said with a grin.
Before she hugged me again.
Dad came over and joined the greeting too.
After a few otherhellosand hugs, we loaded up a few plates and took the seats my mom ushered us over to.
I made accidental eye contact with someone across the lawn, and found Corrine and Aidan sitting together. Their hands were connected on top of the table, and he was holding a toddler that looked like both of them on his lap.
As I’d expected, I didn’t feel any hurt, hate, or bitterness. They were just… there.
Corrine mouthed something that looked like, “Congratulations.”
I tipped my head and turned back to the conversation my mom and Jade were having.
Whatever had broken within me with the loss of my first mate bond had healed. Now, I just wanted to enjoy being with my family. Particularly the stunning woman whose shoulders my arm was still draped over.
“I’m so glad you came,” my mom gushed.
“I am too,” I admitted, leaning back and tucking my mate closer to my side.
She was my favorite person on the fucking planet, and I was going to hold on to her with everything I had.
