Chapter Forty-Two
Shannon shrieked in surprise. Morgan jumped and Brandon, stupid Brandon, tucked the lock picks down by his side. “I’ll ask you again. What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” This time, I let a snarl leave my mouth.
Brandon stood with Shannon and Morgan at my door.
Morgan and Shannon took a step back, realizing the danger, but Brandon took a step closer to me, trying to force my door wider.
“We are here to discuss something with you and your mother.” He tried to be sweet and leaned in to kiss my cheek as once again he tried to push past, but I held the door tightly tucked to my side.
I looked over at Morgan and Shannon. “I asked you two to leave for a couple of days. I asked you to give her some space.”
“Amy-” Brandon tried to interrupt, but I stepped out of my room, pushing him back with a stumbling step and closing my door.
“Why are you back here?” I let my face show my anger, my annoyance.
“This is my house, too.” Morgan tried to stick out his chest. “I shouldn’t have to leave.”
I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. “No.” He furrowed his brows, obviously confused, but I just said it again. “No.”
Shannon stepped up next to Brandon. “Amy, you and Brandon are my best friends. He just wanted to come talk some sense into your mom.” She looked back at Morgan.
“My dad was in a meeting with Vince. That’s why he wasn’t coming home for dinner.
And Brandon and I were…busy.” She barely hid her smirk when she said that.
“No.” I just shook my head.
“But he’s your boyfriend and Alpha. You have to listen.” She stomped her foot.
I turned to Brandon. “Say whatever you came to say and then leave.” I wasn’t going to entertain this. Not tonight.
“Baby, come on. It’s a misunderstanding.” He tried to slide past me and wrapped his finger around my door knob. “I’m just going to talk to you mother and explain it to her.”
I laughed and then put my hand on his chest. “No.”
His eyes widened. “What? What do you even mean? You just keep saying no.”
I sighed. “Allow me to explain, then.” I pushed him back a few steps away from my door.
I first turned to Shannon. “No, you are not going to ‘talk some sense’ into my mom. No, your dad wasn’t in a meeting with Vince.
” I turned to Morgan, pressing my hands together as if in prayer, and pointed them at him.
“No, this is not your house. I bought this house when Vince was going to take it back, and no, you do not have every right to stay here, not after what you did to my mother. And once again, I will reiterate that no, you were not with Vince.”
“Baby.” Brandon whined.
Then I turned to him. “And Brandon, I say this with all the love I have for you in my heart.” Which was absolutely none.
“That no, you are not going to talk to my mother. No, you are not going into my room to explain anything to her. No, it was not a misunderstanding, and yes, you will all be leaving my house now.” I stepped back.
Shannon pouted. “Your mom is making a big deal out of nothing. He was in a meeting with Vince all afternoon. She just happened to call Vince the one time he stepped out to get Rick and quickly meet with him.” She rolled her eyes. “Like we said, it was a big misunderstanding.”
“Oh, really?” I felt the corners of my lips turn down as I nodded. “That’s what happened?”
Morgan jumped at the chance. “Yes!” He nodded as he stepped close. “I swear it.”
I widened my eyes. “You swear it?” I looked around. “And what happens if you’re lying?”
He furrowed his brow. “What? What do you mean?” He stumbled over his words.
“I meant you are swearing what Shannon just said was the truth…what is the penalty if you are lying?” I made my eyes wide and innocent.
“I mean, I’ll try to convince her, but I want to hear what you will do if she catches you lying?
” I heard my mother’s footsteps on the other side of the door.
The woman has the timing of a God. She is always where I need her to be.
“I don’t know.” He shook his head. “Anything.”
I smiled inwardly. “A divorce.”
He reeled back. “What?”
“I know my mom and I know that if you are lying again, and she knows. She will want a divorce. But you swear you are telling the truth.” I shrugged.
He opened his mouth to say no, I could see it. But Shannon, stupid Shannon smirked. “Deal.” Morgan whirled on her. “But if he is telling the truth, then your mom has to agree to move on and have his pups.”
I smiled internally as the door behind me ripped open. “Deal.” My mother stepped out and shut the door behind her, moving everyone back a step. “But I want you to swear it to the Goddess.”
Morgan shook his head. “I shouldn’t have to swear my words are truthful to the Goddess.”
She scoffed. “I think that right there shows your sincerity, Morgan. But not what I meant. If you can prove to me you weren’t cheating or lying, then I will believe you, and I will have your pups.
I want you to swear on the Goddess that if I have proof you're lying, that you will grant me a fast divorce.”
Shannon once again jumped in. “Deal.” She pushed her father forward. “Come on, daddy make the deal.”
Morgan hesitated again before he nodded to himself. I think he has to work up the nerve to make the vow. “I, Morgan Bain, swear that if you have reasonable proof that I was lying or cheating, then I will grant you a divorce.”
My mother growled. “A fast divorce.”
Morgan sighed, but corrected himself. “I, Morgan Bain, swear that if you have reasonable proof that I was lying or cheating, then I will grant you a FAST divorce.” Everyone felt the vow settled around us. “Happy now?”
“Immensely.” My mom pointed to the stairs. “Amy’s friends shouldn’t have to hear this bullshit.”
Morgan frowned. “Rick and his family are still here?”
My mom rolled her eyes. “You have been gone less than ten minutes. Did you think they ate and then took off in that time?” She scoffed.
“I was in there talking to them, and then we heard you out here.” She growled.
“I told you to fucking leave and you couldn’t even fucking do that.
Now go.” She crossed her arms. But even then, everyone just stared at her.
She released her aura, and it pounded into them, surprising even Brandon.
“GO DOWNSTAIRS NOW.” Her command took effect immediately.
Morgan and Shannon spun on their heels and headed downstairs.
Brandon wavered and my mother turned to him.
“I know you are an Alpha, and your nature is to fight a command from someone who you feel is under your authority, but I am a grown wolf, fully seated in her power. I was born an Alpha, made a Luna, and I have only bowed down to your father because it was expected of me, not because he could make me.”
Brandon trembled against her. “You’re lying.” He choked out.
My mom laughed. “No, I’m not. Amy is as much mine as she is Gavin’s. Her strength comes from more than just him.” I watched as her face fell. “Now, you will either listen to me now, or I will force you. And you do not want to be humbled by me.”
Brandon tried to stay upright, but I felt my mother push her aura, and he folded. He turned on his heel and walked down the stairs, fuming. “This is fucking ridiculous.”
I had to cover my mouth before a laugh slipped out of me. I had to be smart. I couldn’t push this too far. While he was still in range, I looked over at my mom. “Did you really have to do that? He’s my boyfriend, soon mate, you need to do better.” I winked as she whirled to me.
She looked at me for a second, and then she smiled. “You know why I’m pissed and you’re really going to take his side over mine? Today, of all days?”
“Mom, it isn’t like that, and you know it. I’m with you. I’m on your side for what Morgan did to you, but Shannon and Brandon aren’t involved with him or his poor decisions.” I had to pinch my cheek to stop the snort and laughter.
My mom swatted me. “How could you?” She sounded hurt, and then she turned away and made her way towards the stairs, silently laughing as we heard the hurried footsteps of Brandon fade away. “Let’s get this done.”
She stomped down the stairs, and I followed. We made it to the kitchen table where everyone was seated and pulled out the chairs. Shannon sniffed. “Did you make your lasagna?” She wiped at her mouth. “Since we are sitting down, why don’t we eat? No reason to let the food go to waste.”
My mom snorted. “That food is for Amy’s guests.
Not you. Plus, didn’t you say that you and Brandon were eating dinner, talking about the final decisions for Amy’s mating ceremony to Brandon?
” She narrowed her eyes. “Or are you just as much of a liar as your father is?” My mom leaned in.
“Are you fucking Brandon again, Shan? Are you stealing my daughter’s chosen mate for fun while you are pretending to plan her mating ceremony?
” My mom stood slowly. “Are you a liar? A cheater?” She slammed her hands down as Shannon’s fear scented the air.
“I, I, I.” She stammered. “Of course not. Amy is my best friend.” She looked at me. “You believe me, right?”
I stared at her for a second too long, and I saw sweat spring to her forehead.
Then I smiled. “Of course I believe you. Brandon wouldn’t cheat on me…
right?” I turned to him and he swallowed loud enough that I heard it across the table.
“You wouldn’t do that to me after what my dad did to my mom, right? ”
He jumped, like I surprised him. “Of course I wouldn’t.” But even from here, I could see the guilt eating at him.
“I know your dad has different views about mating than I do. And if that is what you want, we can still cancel the mating ceremony.” I let hurt enter my eyes. “I just refuse to share my mate with anyone.”
He swallowed again. “I know. And I agree with you. I promise I would never do that to you.”