His Estranged Mate

Chapter 26: Home or Away from home?

CATRINA

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Connor. You asking, again and again, won't change my mind," I say, getting angry now. It's been two days now and Connor insisted on dropping me off at my cousin's home. I don't know if I should really intrude in their space but Connor being the caveman he is, wouldn't let me go back to my place.

I had to take a much-needed leave from my job after all that had happened with Connor and me and then with Xan. I also gave away my apartment just because he thinks my step-brother is a psycho-path. I agree that my father was a murderer and deserved to die but remembering my meeting with Xan, I think that he has changed however, I don't understand why he lied to me about bringing our dad back.

Why lie? And how was he going to bring back our father?

"I am asking because I would rather you stay with me and accept me and I can be shameless in saying that I need you," he mutters while fidgeting with the seat belt of the aeroplane seat. I want to swat at his hands which don't look good at all while they are fidgeting as if he's nervous but I don't dare to touch him.

I am afraid I'll beg him to take me back, which he will I am sure but I don't want him to sacrifice his life and his pack along with a chance of having heirs with someone else. For this sole reason, I keep my hands to myself and look out the window even when I can't see a single thing in the night.

I chose to not reply to Connor not wanting to get into a verbal argument where people can easily hear us.

"Damn this place. I am suffocating," mutters Connor and my lips turn up in a smile. He still has such an effect on me. I am completely and hopelessly in love with him. I think he is too but the words were spoken by his father stop me from acting on my feelings.

"Then you shouldn't have come to drop me," I murmur knowing full well that he'll hear me.

"Oh, don't worry I'll be out of your hair the moment you meet Cayden."

I roll my eyes not acknowledging the hurt that I feel at his words. I've brought this upon myself. Even if... no... when he moves on to another relationship, I'll be the one to blame. Hadn't I pushed him to move on, he would've still been with me?

Damn our lives!

~~~~~

"My baby's home," greets my mother, squishing my cheeks and then kissing them. She hugs me hard and I feel her trembling in my arms which automatically calms something in my gut. I realise that it was my mind, scared and nervous for the fear of rejection.

Her accepting me and not able to contain her happiness at the sight of me exiting out of the airport settles that fear inside me. Her acceptance chases away the fear. The feeling of acceptance is incredible even if it only manages to fill one hole in my heart.

The other one, I am not sure if it'll ever heal. Not when I am keeping Connor away from me. Looking at him from the corner of my eyes, I watch him and Cayden engaged in glaring and silently snarling at each other but thankfully they are keeping their hatred on a low key.

We don't want a public brawl where they accidentally shift into their wolves and then risk getting their hides being burnt by Fenris. The image in my mind makes me chuckle and I breathe a little easier.

My mother pulls away at the same time and then kisses my head, wiping off my cheeks which are flooded with my tears.

"I hope you don't mind if I come to stay with you both for some time?" I ask, my voice a faint whisper because of my insecurity.

"You are always welcome to live with us, kotyonok," says Cayden, raising a brow at me as if asking if I've lost my mind.

"You are my blood, my own flesh. Of course, you can stay with us," declares my mother and then putting an arm around my waist, pulls me out of the airport vicinity, Cayden and Connor following behind us.