Chapter 62
Chapter Sixty-Two
Trevor
He still tried to wrap his head around the fact that Aisling had a mate bond with Tamsin and yet refused to claim her.
Not only that, but wanted the secret kept from her and them.
That blessedly thick-headed child.
The amount of self-control it took not to instantly react and claim Tamsin as her mate? Well, he certainly didn’t have that.
If it wasn’t for the fact that he’d promised not to reveal to Aisling that her secret slipped out, he’d call her straight away and order her to Idaho to talk to Tamsin.
However…
He checked the time and, while late in Idaho, he decided to call. He could use having missed today’s video call as his excuse. Everyone else had already retired upstairs to their rooms, so he went into his den and closed the door.
She answered almost immediately. “Hello, Dad! How are you?”
It nearly broke his heart how she said it almost exactly the way Maisie used to. “I’m fine, my child. I wanted to check in with you after tonight’s little…incident.”
She laughed, and the sound lightened his soul. “I’m quite well, now that I know Peyton’s safe.” She sighed. “Dewi told me what you’ve discovered about…her.”
Right. Perfect. That had slipped his mind as a potential excuse for this call. “I wished to follow up with you. I’m sorry for the late hour.”
“It’s quite all right. I was up with Maisie a little while ago and couldn’t sleep anyway.”
“Do you have any questions?”
“I have countless questions, but none of them will end in me wishing to see that woman yet, if ever.”
“I understand, love. I do have additional information, if you wish to hear it.”
She hesitated. “Perhaps I should, so I know everything.”
He told her what his contact had related about Frannie’s family. Tamsin went quiet for a moment. When she spoke, the growl in her voice sounded adorable, to him, but he was intelligent enough not to say so.
“So that bloody bastard not only stole her identity and murdered my siblings, but he destroyed her entire family—my family—as well?”
“It appears so.”
“Is it possible Donnel and the real Hyacinth are still alive here in the States?”
“Badger is researching it.”
“I don’t understand any of this. How one person can be so bloody…evil?”
He sighed. “I wish I had answers for you, love. I’m so terribly sorry.”
“May I ask something?”
“Anything,” Trevor said.
Another hesitation. “I understand that I will almost certainly not witness his execution in person, due to logistics. But if I cannot see his head in person, could you please send me video and pictures? I want proof he’s dead.”
On the one hand, it amused him that such a sweet, loving girl could be so bloodthirsty.
On the other, he despised that life’s circumstances had driven her to it.
“I will, love. There will be pictures and video.”
“Thank you.”
He grasped for a segue, then decided fuck it, just go for it. “Love, I haven’t said this to you before, but I truly want you to understand something. If you ever meet someone else and you feel a mate bond with them, please feel free to pursue it with our full love and support.”
She went quiet for a long moment. “I-I don’t know if that’s possible.”
“Why not?”
“I mean…” She sniffled. “I cannot imagine loving anyone else.”
“Maisie loved you with all her heart. She would not want you to spend your life alone. I know it’s soon, and I’m not saying I’m trying to press you into searching for a new mate.
But I want it clearly stated that you should not make any decisions because of worrying about us or our reactions.
Elizabeth and I have a mate bond. We would never expect you to walk away from one should you ever feel that again.
We will absolutely be happy for you, and welcome them as another member of the family. ”
More sniffles from her. “Thank you, Dad.”
“We love you and little Maisie. And we also want you to know that you are not obligated to move back here should you meet someone in the States. We have the resources that we can move anywhere.”
“But the pack!”
“I’m not saying tomorrow.” He chuckled. “What I’m saying is please make your decisions based on what is best for you.
We want you to be happy. We have lived long lives already, and yours is just beginning.
I’ve been trying to get Mummy to travel to the States to be with you, but she is terrified to do so until Faegan is caught. ”
“I know,” she sadly said. “She told me again today when I asked her about coming to visit.”
“Perhaps Peyton can help me persuade her. I would feel better if she were with you and safe.”
“That doesn’t mean you can take risks if she’s gone.”
He chuckled. “You are too sharp sometimes. No, I wouldn’t take undue risks. Well, I shall let you get some sleep.”
“Promise to update me if you learn more about what happened?”
“I will. Hugs and kisses. Love you.”
“Love you, Dad.”
He stared at his phone for several long, bittersweet moments.
His current lockscreen photo was one of the three of them, all smiling and happy.
Rupert was looking forward to becoming a father as much as Maisie was looking forward to becoming a mother.
He and Elizabeth had felt nothing but joy over becoming grandparents.
The only thing that could have improved on their perfection would have been Rupert meeting a lovely man to be his mate, and all of them living together and happily raising pups.
If there is a Hell, I hope Faegan is mercilessly tortured every day for eternity once we send him there.
And that day could not come soon enough for him.
He just prayed he could be the one to send him on his journey there.