The Alpha's Diversion

Coming Clean to Mom

Addis.

A phone is never so loud as when one is sleeping. The shrill ringing jolted Addis out of his slumber before the sun had crested the horizon. The twilight of the morning, what astronomers sometimes referred to as the astronomical dawn, was usually his favorite time of day. He had always been an early riser, enjoyed the thought that he had the world to himself for a little while. But this morning, there was someone who had risen earlier than him.

He sat up in the bed of his truck, where he had fallen asleep the previous night after running himself to exhaustion. Rubbing his eyes to clear the haze, he searched for the source of the incessant ringing, finding it tucked under the duffle he’d used as a pillow.

Reed. Not usually one to call in the morning. He knew Addis too well. They’d grown up together and Reed was observant, always taking in the details around him. It was one reason he was such a good strategist. There wasn’t much he missed. So, Reed knew that Addis preferred quiet mornings, which made Addis anxious about the purpose of the call.

Pressing the button as he lifted the phone to his ear, he didn't waste words on a greeting. “Everything alright, Reed?”

“Yeah. Sorry for calling so early, brother. We’re back sooner than expected. And we’ve brought the new recruit. I thought you’d want to know before you got started on your day.”

“Good. I’m going to visit my mom and then I’ll head your way.”

An hour later, after a dip in the cold creek and a change of clothes, he sat at his mom’s kitchen table, peering at her over his cup of steaming black coffee as she made them both breakfast.

It had been ten long years since his father’s death. Years that had changed them both significantly, but that change was worn by the two people in the kitchen quite differently. Addis had been a wiry, angry youth when they first came to the Susi pack. Cassia had made him promise to complete his education, hoping that with time his anger would lessen. After all, she’d already lost her husband, and had left behind many friends and her position as Luna. She didn’t want to lose her son as well.

He had agreed, because he didn’t want to cause her any more heartache than she’d already suffered but knew that it only delayed his plan. He would not change his mind about regaining the Penumbra pack. Instead, those years had strengthened him. He had grown tougher, smarter, taller. His anger was still present, but instead of boiling over, it simmered. The addition of patience made him more dangerous.

For his mother, time had not seemed to change her appearance much. Cassia was still beautiful- tall and thin, with sharp, intelligent eyes and long, straight brown hair, only now with gray strands woven throughout her braid. A few more lines around the eyes, the jaw line not as defined, perhaps. No, the more noticeable changes were of an inner nature. She was still a quiet woman, measuring her words before she spoke. Conversations with her often demanded patience. But she voiced her opinions more securely now and carried herself with more confidence. She seemed, if not happy, content. Although she hadn’t said so, her return to the Penumbra pack no longer felt like a certainty.

As with most boys, he hadn’t paid much attention to his mother growing up, but he knew that she was more passive then. His father, Alder, had been like a bull, not just strong but determined. He was a good leader and cared for his people, but he was stubborn and went his own way. Addis could never remember his parents together much, which only struck him as odd once he became a teenager and started noticing girls more. As an adult, he knew what mates were like with one another, even chosen mates, which made him realize that his parents’ relationship hadn’t been right.

Addis would have preferred to keep the fact that he’d met his mate a secret. Knowing that he had no intention of completing the mate bond, it would be easier if no one knew about Cat. But someone already did, and even though he trusted Flint, he knew it could still get out. Flint disagreed with Addis’ decision and may try to bring in others as reinforcements. The last thing he wanted was for his mom to find out from someone else. He sighed as she set his plate before him.

It was unusual for Addis to show any signs of exhaustion. Cassia sat down, leaning back against her chair, with concern etched on her face.

“Out with it, Addis. What’s bothering you?”

He attempted a smile as he bit down on his toast. “I can’t visit my mom without a reason anymore?”

Her crossed arms and deadpan expression were answer enough.

“Fine.” He started to set down his toast, but she raised her hand to stop him.

“Actually, cold eggs taste bad. Eat first. We’ll talk later.”

He smiled and picked his toast back up, using it to wipe up the yolk from his fried egg.

After a comfortably silent meal, she washed both of their plates, placing them in the drying rack before refilling both of their coffee cups and sitting across from Addis with an expectant expression.

“I met my mate last night.”