Chapter 19
Kaden
Our steps echoed through the manor as we sought out Cora - my mom and the omega of my family’s pack. She had been an integral part of Jax and Tony’s life, especially after Jax’s mom fell ill. Tony’s mom was around occasionally, but spent most of her time shopping and traveling. My mom had been the one who was more of a mother figure to the three of us.
We found her in the reading room, curled up on the couch with a book. She spent most of her time at home, cleaning and cooking dinner for when my fathers would come home late after working all day. She raised her head when we entered, and gave us a warm smile.
“Boys! Come have a seat.” She always called us boys, no matter that we were in our twenties now. We settled in around the room, each taking a seat as she set her book down. “Tell me what’s wrong. I know it’s serious, I heard it in your voice.” Her words were already calming me down as she took my hand. I was so happy to have her. Our fathers could be over the top alpha-holes at times, and if it weren’t for her presence, we might have become a bit too much like them.
“It’s about the upcoming bonding.” I said. She nodded; her expression reserved as her eyes searched my face. “Do you remember Safira?” I asked, and she broke into a smile.
“Of course I remember Safira. Although I might be the only one! I’m sure your fathers thought we made her up out of thin air.” She chuckled. “I know you looked for her for so long. Is the memory of her giving you second thoughts on the bonding?” Her words were kind, and I was glad that she had been there as a witness the first time we met our mystery girl.
“That’s the thing. She’s not a memory, mom. We found her. She’s back!” I said, and her eyes widened with shock.
“Really? That’s amazing! How? You looked everywhere!” Her words came out quickly as she sat up with excitement.
“It’s a really long story, but it’s not important now. We finally found her, but of course after we’d already been promised to bond with another.” My mom’s face fell. She knew how long fathers had worked to secure the deal, even though she wasn’t involved with the business. I sat closer to her. “They are threatening to cut us out. They threatened to disown us. But the thing is, she’s the one.” I said in a whisper.
“She’s always been the one.” Jax added, the shadows from the fireplace playing on his face as he sat somberly in the chair. My mom leaned back, her brows knit as she considered what we told her.
“I think deep down I always knew this would be an issue. Even as kids, before you presented, you fought for years to find her. She made such an impression on all of you. I figured if you ever found her again, you’d discover you were mates.” Her admission confirmed what we knew to be true. She was always our mate. Tony moved forward, falling to his knees on the ground as he grabbed at his hair, the dark masses of hair peeking through his hands as he groaned in frustration.
“What do we do? How can we get them to see that she’s the endgame for us? We can’t give her up!” He howled out. I felt his distress through our bond. Once an alpha found his mate, it was almost painful to be apart from her. And we’d never been in a position where we had to choose to go against our family. My mom reached out her other hand, rubbing his back as he looked at her in torment.
“Only you can make that choice. But I will tell you what happened to me.” My ears perked up. My mom never told me about her past very often. “When I was a young omega, I wanted to find my scent match. But my parents wanted me to be practical. I looked for my mates for a long time, but I never really connected with anyone. So, when the opportunity came to be with your fathers, I accepted. It was the logical thing to do.” She reminisced. “I don’t regret it. But choosing to be with someone out of obligation to make your family happy when you have the opportunity for a true match, well, I don’t know. Once I bonded with your fathers, that was it for me. Even if I found a scent match after, it wouldn't matter. I am bound to them, and I will stay with them the rest of our lives.” I squeezed her hand. She’d always been a good mother, and a good partner to my fathers. “Sometimes it is hard for an omega when you have to choose to love every day. I think it would be easier for me, and for your fathers, if we’d been with our scent matches.” She finished speaking and her words spun through my mind.
“Did you ever scent someone that was your true match? Even after bonding?” Jax asked, and I nearly choked at his blunt question. My mother only smiled.
“That’s neither here nor there. All I’m saying is, it will be painful to be in a bond knowing that your true mate might be out there. It will be in the back of your mind every day, and it makes a successful bond more work knowing your mate is with someone else.” I sat back, my world rocked. I knew my parents weren’t a scent match, but those were rare anyway. “All I can tell you is that if you truly love her, your fathers will come around. Don’t give up your happiness, or take away the chance for true happiness of that poor omega Illiana. If you bond with her while you hold these feelings for Safira, you’ll be taking away her chance at finding a pack that truly wants her in the way you want Safira.” Her words hit me in the gut. She was right - although we’d treat any omega we were bonded to with honor, we'd never be able to love Illiana the way she deserved. It wouldn't be fair to do that when our hearts were with another. My mom looked at us, and I was sure we looked like a pitiful sight.
“I know you boys will make the right choice for your pack. Think for yourselves. You will have to live with the choice your whole lives, and me and your fathers won't always be around forever.” I kissed her hand, rising with the rest of my pack.
“Thank you, mother. We’ll do right by everyone involved.” I said, grateful to have her. We hugged her and started to head out before the night got any later. Once we were back in the car, we sat silently. I knew I didn’t have to ask them, I felt through our bond that we were unanimous.
“Let’s fix this, and go get our girl.”