Chapter 14
1469 Words
As soon as I got home, I made a beeline for the kitchen. I didn’t even have to think about it — I just knew that’s where she’d be. My mother. Always baking. Always cooking something, even if half of it ended up scorched.
She had this habit of losing track of time, getting caught up in the rhythm of stirring and seasoning until the oven timer became background noise. I always ate whatever she gave me. Not because I was hungry, and not because it tasted good — but because it made her smile. I’d sprinkle a little salt and pepper, chew through the charred edges, and swallow every bite just to see that flicker of happiness in her eyes.
Pain stirred deep in my chest as I leaned against the wall, listening quietly. Her voice drifted through the doorway, soft and strained, as she spoke to someone I hadn’t expected — Cece. The Druid Queen herself.
“I don’t understand, Cece,” my mother said, her voice cracking slightly. “He’s always been so bright and happy. I just… I guess I never thought about how the attack affected him.”
Cece’s reply came gentle, but firm. “Honey, that boy hid his pain so well that only one person saw clean through him.”
I froze.
“Dreson doesn’t hate Colton as much as he pretends,” she continued. “He’s the one who told Kaden to keep an eye on your boy — not that Kaden needed telling. Like my son, Colt wore his mask tight. Smiled when he was dying inside.”
My throat tightened.
Why would Dre have to hide?
Oh. Right. He was gay.
Not that it mattered. Not to me.
Leif had pulled me aside that last night we were all together. Told me everything. Confessed it like he was handing me a loaded secret. I didn’t get pissy. I didn’t flinch. I just shrugged and told him it didn’t change a damn thing. If anything, I was glad. Dre deserved happiness. He deserved peace.
I took a slow breath and stepped into the room.
“Hi, Aunt Cece.”
She stood up immediately, her eyes wide, and pulled me into one of those hugs that creaked bones but somehow healed everything. Her arms wrapped around me like armor, like she could shield me from everything I’d been through.
“Boy, don’t you ever, ever make me worry like that again,” she said fiercely. Then she pulled back just enough to study my face, her gaze searching. “How are you feeling, Colton? I know they asked a thousand times at the hospital and probably at the packhouse, but how are you really feeling?”
I opened my mouth, but the words didn’t come. Not right away.
I knew what she was getting at. She wasn’t asking about vitals or sleep schedules. She was asking about the ache under my ribs. The weight behind my eyes. The part of me that still felt like it was unraveling.
Before I could answer, Daisy walked in behind me, her presence like a soft breeze through a suffocating room.
“I swear,” she muttered, her voice sharp with affection, “if that cousin of mine doesn’t smarten up soon, I’m going to get Kaden, and we will dish out some lovely revenge.”
Cece laughed, the sound warm and full of life. “Now that’s the kind of energy I like to hear.”
Pulling her into my arms, I kissed her head. “No, Daisy. Let him be. He’s had enough people yelling at him. What a lot of folks forget is... he watched his Momma die, babes. Just let it go, okay?”
“Fine.” She gave in, grumbling.
Sandra stood, her apron dusted with what smelled like chocolate. “I made you some cookies, but your father ate them. I did manage to stash a big piece of your favourite cake, though.”
“Honestly, anything’s better than the garbage they feed you at the hospital. Did you make anything for dinner?” I asked.
She smiled. “It’s good to have you home, Colton. I’m just glad we got you back in time.”
I turned to Aunt Cece. “To answer your question... I feel hungry, tired, and full of regret—but I don’t feel resentment. I don’t hate Neil for anything. And that’s the real shocker.”
She nodded and hugged me again, tight. Then she turned to my mother. “If you need anything, just say the word. I don’t mind going out of my way for your family. Colt never had to help mine the way he did—but he still showed up.”
“There was never a question,” I told her. “Kaden was getting picked on, Dre is Dre, and Neil needed support.”
I stepped away from my Mate and took the huge piece of chocolate-drizzled coffee cake from my mother’s hands, licking my lips.
Yeah, I was gonna enjoy this.
Then someone stuck a finger into the slice. I turned my head to my Mate, watching her suck the icing off the digit. “Mmmm, that tastes amazing, Mrs. Brake.”
I watched as Mom frowned before Cece closed the front door and left.
Slowly shaking her head, Mom said, “Dear, I know you’ve had a mountain of information shoved down your throat lately, but please... don’t be so formal.”
“I don’t understand.”
Smirking, I looked at Daisy. “Did Kaden happen to mention how the pack works, or did your Uncle give you the rundown?”
“My Uncle,” she said softly. “Was there something he missed?”
“Knowing Henry? Probably not. But you don’t need to be so formal. See, technically speaking, my family’s your family now, since you’re my Mate. That means you get to call my mom by her name, or Mom, or even Aunt. It’s how we do things around here.” I said, handing her a fork.
Grinning, she sat down beside me and dug into the cake. I let myself enjoy it—this moment, this peace with her.
Until my father walked in and spotted the food. “Sandy, is there any more cake?”
And they wondered where my sweet tooth came from? That’s rich.
“I’m celebrating, Dad,” I said. “And I’m not sharing with anyone but my Mate.”
“Daisy, can I have a bite?” he asked with a pout.
“Uh, no, you can’t. This is Colt’s slice,” she snapped.
Dad scowled, narrowing his eyes at me. “What the heck did you do now?”
“Got promoted,” I answered, a little cautious.
It wasn’t Mom I had to watch out for. It was Dad. He was guaranteed to mess with me over this. “You got promoted? To what—garbage disposal?”
Daisy looked stunned, but I waved her off. “Let’s just say I earned this cake the hard way. So make like the bees and buzz off, Dad.”
He blinked, then laughed. “Oh wow... Henry actually named you Neil’s Beta? That’s awesome! I gotta call your grandparents! They’ll flip when they hear someone in this family finally broke the Omega rut!”
Oh no.
“Hold on just a minute,” Daisy snarled, stepping forward like she was ready to physically block my dad. “You’re not calling anyone until he’s well enough to handle a bunch of people crowding him. I don’t want him to relapse when I just got him back.”
“I completely agree, Daisy,” Mom chimed in, standing with her hands planted on her hips, chin tilted. “My Mate needs to—what’s that saying? Take a chill-pill?”
The bubble of humor rose in my chest like it had been waiting. I couldn’t help it—I started laughing. Loud and full. My mother wasn’t someone you crossed.
Omega or not, Sandra Brake had an entire history of making people check themselves, including me and Dad.
“Dad, please,” I said, trying not to choke on laughter. “I just signed on officially, and I’d like at least a week—bare minimum—before I have to deal with jealous whispers and obnoxious congratulations.”
His eyes narrowed, expression shifting fast. “You ever try that f*****g s**t again…” He paused, voice rough now. “Colt, I know things were getting hard on you. But you could’ve talked to us. Your mother and I would’ve listened.”
Thing is—I hadn’t thought to talk to them. Never once did it cross my mind. I didn’t think they’d want to hear it.
- Writer
