Chapter Fifteen
I love this small scene of Alex and Maddie learning to communicate after all their years together.
The lads all stood outside the chamber talking, mayhap sensing that Maddie wanted a private word with her husband, but Alex was already inside the room and behind the desk.
Maddie walked into the room with Jake, then shut the door before moving in front of Jake, facing Alex.
He expected his mother had followed his sire’s cardinal rule—never question him in front of the clan.
He would listen to all she had to say behind closed doors.
“Maddie,” Alex said. “I know you wish to clean his wounds…”
His mother held her hand up to his sire, lifting her chin a notch. With a smile on her face, she spoke with a strength Jake recognized, and his sire listened, as he always did. Jake could feel a weakening starting in his legs, so he locked his knees to stay upright.
“Husband, may I take this moment to remind you of what we both went through to bring this lad into this world. I would also wish to remind you of what your dear mother’s first teachings were to your sister, and…”
Her breath hitched with emotion, and she stopped speaking for a moment to regain control.
Jake’s sire moved out from behind the desk, his gaze on Maddie. “And?” He brushed a stray lock of hair back from her face, tucking it behind her ear before his thumb rubbed her cheek.
This is when Jake had learned the most from his parents. Their respect for each other amazed him. Alex Grant would stop speaking for only two people—his wife and his king.
“And I’d like to remind you of dear Kyle Maule’s sire, bless his soul.” She leaned toward her husband and he caught her, one hand on her hip and the other on the back of her neck.
Kyle Maule’s father had died from complications from a wound that had never been cleaned.
His sire settled his lips on her forehead, then leaned back and said, “I see no reason why we cannot converse with him while you cleanse his wounds. We shall follow you.”
And just like that, Alex Grant changed his plan, giving in to his wife’s tender needs.
He explained the new circumstances to the others, and then Maddie pivoted and led them into another chamber used for healing.