Blood Legacy

25

Dad took my arm and helped me get out of the car. He actually made my shoulder twinge in pain by assisting me, but I wasn't going to let him know. "Thank you."

"It's nice to see you again, Mr. And Mrs. Davis." Liam nodded his head at them and smiled.

He was a completely different person than the last time he came here. Granted, we had been here on a learning expedition and had only just completed our mate bond.

"Oh, after everything you've done, you're getting a hug." Mom hurried over to him and wrapped

her arms around him. "I don't know what would've happened if it weren't for you."

Liam hugged her back, and his cheeks turned a slight pink. "I didn't do anything."

"You took care of our daughter when we couldn't." Dad walked over and shook Liam's hand. "Last time we met you, it wasn't under the best of circumstances. But this time, I'd like to say welcome to the family."

"Thank you." Liam scratched the back of his neck as he glanced in my direction. Through our bond, I could tell he was happy but uncomfortable. He wasn't used to being treated this way.

The front door opened again, and Max stuck his head out. "You better get your ass in here before I eat all the cinnamon rolls." He held one up so I could see and took a huge bite out of it.

"You better not." I hadn't had Mom's cooking in so long, and those baked treats were one of my favorites. I hurried inside and ran to the left, down the narrow hallway, following the decadent cinnamon smell of home. When I saw the hot pan of ten cinnamon rolls, I picked up two and took a large bite. The taste was heavenly, and I hated to admit it, but I moaned.

I'm not sure if I should be jealous or not. Liam entered the room behind my parents and smiled when he saw me. He reached for one of the treats in my hand, and I jerked my hand out of his reach.

"Uh-uh; Get your own," I growled through a mouthful of vanilla frosting and cinnamon.

"Why are you encouraging him to eat any?" Max frowned as he popped the last bite of the one he had been eating and went for another.

"You two, stop it." Mom giggled even though she tried to school her face into an indifferent expression. "He can have some too."

"I'm not sure that I can." Liam laughed. "I might get bitten."

"Looks like Mia has already done that to you." Max pointed to the faint scar of teeth marks on his neck.

"Maximum Davis." Mom pointed at him and frowned. "Please don't ever point that out to me again."

"What? You know they're mates." Max whined as he grabbed two more cinnamon rolls before walking away with his head hung in shame.

"You’d better get some before they're gone." Dad made his way to the pan and grabbed one for himself. "Those two are vicious and will eat them all if given the chance."

"Well, if they're as good as they're making them out to be, I just might need to take two." Liam winked at me and grabbed two.

"This is all on you." Max pointed at me. "You had to go get mated, so now we have to share our food."

Mom watched the whole interaction with the biggest smile on her face.

"So, Max and I are going to watch some football in the living room." Dad glanced at Liam. "Do you want to join us?"

Liam walked over next to me so our arms were touching. Mind if I go in there so you and your mom can have some alone time? I’m assuming that’s what your dad is getting at.

Go if you want to. I'd never thought my parents would be so welcoming to him. After the way Mom had reacted when I told her about who my mate was, and considering how everything went down the last time I was here, I kind of gave up on my family being okay with our bond. I'll be fine. She is my mother after all.

"Sure, let's go see who is playing." Liam's eyes were light blue, which was rare for me to see. He crammed a cinnamon roll in his mouth and grabbed another one while talking with his mouth full.

“But let me grab another one of these before we leave the kitchen.”

Max growled and scowled at me. “This is on you.”

Dad laughed. "Well, all right then." Dad finished his food, waving Liam and Max toward the living room. "Let's go and give these two some alone time. Come join us when you ladies are done." The three of them rushed out of the kitchen, leaving Mom and me behind.

"Really, I'm the winner here. I have direct access to the rest." I grabbed the last cinnamon roll and made my way to the rectangular table that was in the corner of the kitchen. I sat in one of the seats and got comfortable.

"One second. I’ll be right back." Mom disappeared into the living room.

I got up and opened the stainless steel refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. As I settled back into my spot at the table, Mom came back in with a picture album.

As she took the seat next to me, she gave me a grin. "I was wrong about him." "Liam?" I didn't want to say too much and ruin whatever she wanted to tell me.

"Yes. I'll be honest; I'm not thrilled that you're at that school. When you told me that he was your fated mate, it petrified me. The night you came here and he was so guarded and angry, I thought it proved my point even more. But he was so good to call us and let us know everything. The pain in his voice — that was when I realized he really does love you. And seeing him here, I'm glad fate chose him."

"Even though he's an heir to the council?" The last few times I'd talked to Mom, she was acting normal. I’d hoped it hadn't been a fluke, and her words eased some of my worry.

"Honey, I've come to realize it doesn't matter. At the end of the day, you're an heir just as much as he is, and fate has a way of unveiling hidden truths." She opened up the picture album and caressed one of the photos. "You were meant for great things just like your father was." She turned the photo album toward me.

My breath caught in my throat as I stared at a man who was a complete stranger but also seemed familiar. His emerald eyes that matched my own stared back at me, and like me, his hair was as black as the night. "Is that him?"