Chapter Fifty-Seven #2
“No... I couldn't bear to have another child after I gave you up.
My mate didn't want another either. He has a son. He was from a pack and he got a woman pregnant but he went rogue for personal reasons. We built our place close to that pack because he visits his son often. But when you turned eighteen, my mate and I came to this area and built a temporary shelter so I could find you.”
“I'm glad you came back for me,” I whisper, clenching my fingers around hers.
“Do you know where your father went when he was exiled?”
“I don't know.”
“I should hunt him down and make him pay. If I met his bitch mate, I would rip her apart too,” she says angrily.
“My mate gave me justice.” I smile, thinking of Axe.
“Axe sounds like a wonderful person. I can't believe Manson is his father.”
“Neither can I.” It goes silent between us for a while. “What are you planning on doing now?”
“I'm not leaving you again, Elora,” she says, making my eyes tear up again. It feels like we've both cried ten times already during this conversation.
“I know Axe will let you join the pack,” I suggest hopefully.
“Honey, I like being a rogue, living off the land with my mate.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“I told you my mate and I built a temporary shelter. We can turn it into a more permanent home. My mate will still have to visit his son sometimes, so I'll talk to him about travelling arrangements.”
“Thank you.” I smile, knowing she's going to stay close.
“I know I don't know you the way I should and I don't know if this will mean anything to you, but I'm so proud of you for the strong woman you've become. No one should have to go through what you did and I'll take the blame for it.” Lizzy pulls me into her arms and I cry against her chest.
“I don't blame you. It was my father's fault,” I assure her.
I don't want her to feel guilty. My father was supposed to protect me and he didn't. So the blame is on him.
“Elora,” Axe's voice calls. I pull away from Lizzy and see Axe standing in the doorway, dirt on his body with only a pair of briefs on. “Who is this?” He frowns.
“This is Lizzy.” My voice breaks.
“Your mother.” Axe's eyes go wide. “How did you find her?”
“I went for a long run after I took the kids back.” I stand up and go over to him. “How is the boy?”
“He's okay. I took him for a run and then took him home,” he says. “It's really late but I'm starving. Why don't we get some dinner? Lizzy, would you like to join?”
“Oh, yes, thank you.” Lizzy smiles. I smile at their exchange, Axe's kindness and Lizzy's interest in spending time with Axe and me.
“Elora, why don't you get her something appropriate to wear into town? I'll have a quick shower and get dressed,” Axe says.
Within ten minutes we are in the car and Axe is driving us into town. I see The Grail Cafe come into view.
“Let's go there. With how late it is, we won't find many open restaurants,” I say.
Axe pulls into the parking lot and we walk inside the cafe, which is empty. We take a seat at the booth.
“Hi, what can I get you?” a waitress asks with a tired smile, clearly not expecting customers at this hour.
“Three coffees. We may as well stay up now,” Axe says.
We order our food and then look at each other. I'm not sure what to say now.
“It's been a while since I've been in a car and a restaurant,” Lizzy comments.
“So you really just live off the land?” I ask.
“Yeah, I mean my mate has gotten human things to make our place more homey but other than that, we hunt for food and water,” Lizzy explains. It goes quiet between us again until Axe breaks the silence.
“You two look extremely alike.” Axe smiles.
“Really?” I smile shyly.
“Yes.”
“Alpha, I can't express how thankful I am that you saved my daughter.” She smiles appreciatively at Axe. The way she calls me her daughter brings tears to my eyes.
“Are you okay?” Axe asks, noticing my tears.
“Yes, I just can't stop crying,” I admit, wiping my eyes.
“It's understandable. You've been through an emotional night.” Axe grabs my hand and I lean my head against his shoulder.
“Elora, I would love you to meet my mate. Tomorrow, I'll go to the shelter and talk to him about visiting, if that's okay, Alpha?”
“Any family of Elora is family of mine. Can you assure me your mate isn't dangerous, though? My pack doesn't have the best history with rogues,” Axe's alpha side speaks up.
I don't know what history he's referring to, probably from Manson's reign.
“He's a good man. He's kept me safe all these years.” Lizzy smiles, her eyes alight with love, clearly she's thinking of her mate.
“I'm happy you found him. I can't imagine how lonely rogue life would be,” I say.
“After knowing what you've been through, you would understand how lonely rogue life is.”
“Can I ask a question?” Axe asks.
“Sure,” Lizzy says.
“I don't want to make things uncomfortable, but what do you think would have happened if you kept Elora?” Axe asks.
Lizzy's eyes widen then they drop like she's thinking hard. She chews on her bottom lip, seeming to think of an answer.
“Well, I didn't meet my mate till years after I had Elora so I think it would have been hard. I don't know if I would have been able to look after a baby in rogue life. I did come across rogues on my own. I wouldn't have been able to protect a baby,” Lizzy says.
“Maybe things worked out the way they were meant to even with all the pain you've been through,” Axe says.
“I'm just glad it's never too late to make things right.” Lizzy smiles at me. I can't seem to stop staring at her, afraid she'll disappear if I do. Looking at her fills me with all the warmth I've missed out on all these years. It's overwhelming.