Page 78 of Her Grumpy Alpha Mate
“Yes!” My answer travels across the entire beach. He places the ring on my finger and pulls me into a kiss to seal our union.
I melt into Grant's touch, letting him lift me off the ground. At that moment, I realize that I've never been happier.
“I can't do this,” I say in a panicked voice. For most of my vacation, I had tried to think of a way to do this after I got back.
Now, days after arriving home, I'm actually here and feeling very unprepared. I look around for a route to escape, but there's only so much I can do in Grant's car.
Grant doesn't get angry or even annoyed after driving all this way and setting things up. “I understand,” he says, before taking my hand and holding it softly. He lifts it and places a delicate kiss on my skin. “It's okay to be scared.”
“I'm terrified,” I confess. “I haven't seen my mom in forever. What if she doesn't want to talk to me?”
“You'll never know if you don't try,” Grant replies patiently. “Now's the best time. You're about to get married, and she deserves to know.”
I glance at the beautiful gem on my finger and sigh. “You're right.” The slow recognition is not enough to fully give me all the bravery I need. I take a couple more deep breaths, looking out of the car and staring at the house.
“I'm scared.” Weirdly, this confession makes me feel better.
“I know you are,” Grant states. “I'd be worried if you weren't scared, but this is why you've been working so hard. You know how to control your wolf side now, so you don't have anything to worry about. It's time to take charge of your life and be reunited with your family. This is the first step. It's a big one, but it's still the first. I know you can do this.”
I nod, smiling at him. “You're right,” I tell Grant. “I have to do this. Wish me luck.”
“Do you need me to come with you?” he offers.
“No, I have to do this on my own.”
Grant nods, respecting my decision. “Good luck, my darling.”
I reach over to his side of the car and kiss him, lingering there, not wanting to break our contact too quickly. The kiss feels so good that I almost forget what I'm supposed to do. We finally part, and my nervousness rises to the surface again.
Here goes nothing.
I step out of the car into the crisp evening air. The cold that surrounds me leads me off the sidewalk and to the front steps of my mother's home.
I haven't been here in ages, but it's exactly as I remember. Nothing has changed, and the familiarity helps slightly.
It's been so long.
I keep moving until I reach the door. My nightmares of my mother coming out without recognition on her face begin to play in my head. It forces me to stop just short of knocking.
I don't think I can do this.
I turn around and see Grant looking at me expectantly. This works as the final push I need to knock on the door. I give it three quick taps and wait patiently.
There's no answer at first, but just before I prepare to knock again, I hear footsteps coming toward me. My breath hitches in my throat as the steps get louder. They're unmistakable.
My mother opens the door, and her eyes meet mine. It's not like any of my nightmares. She knows exactly who I am.
“Hi, Mom.”
I wait to be told that I don't belong and driven away. I pause, expecting to be attacked and warned that I don't have a place here. Instead, a tear rolls down my mother's cheek as she rushes to hug me.
“I've missed you so much, Leena,” she says.
I hug her back, already bawling my eyes out. “I've missed you, too, Mom.” This time, I know without a doubt in my heart that everything is going to be okay.
