Cardinal

Chapter 35

I'm met with similar friendly, green eyes by a woman who was about maybe half my size, petite as can be. She was the cardinal-similar to me. We all just had that aura and energy. Instinctively, we recognized the same energies. Like a nucleus orbited by its electrons. She was flanked by another woman who was much taller than her, with blonde hair and a matching mean gleam in her eyes. Completely opposite of her cardinal. To the side were two men who had friendly faces-one which had to be William's father. Aside from the green eyes, their perfect noses, pouty mouth, and angular jaw were practically the same. The other was a lanky guy with red hair and a nice enough smile which welcomed me and reminded me of sunshine. 

Will pulls me from behind him and I step to his side as I carefully examine each one of his family unit. On my other side is Steel while behind us were Damian and Keenan. 

I smile at them as Will gives his mothers both an endearing kiss on his cheek and his fathers patting his back simultaneously in greeting. 

"Well, aren't you going to introduce us, dear? I might as well have a head full of white hair with all the anticipation." His mother, with kind green eyes, says. Her eyes were gleaming with adoration for Will while she winks at me playfully. 

He pushes me toward them since I was timidly standing back and puts me in front of them like I was a display cow. I give him a tight look in response and he urges me on to greet them. I swallow my anxiety and Damian lightly touches the small of my back to give me a little boost of confidence. 

"This is my beloved cardinal, Lilac. Lilac, meet my parents. My mother is the cardinal-Willa. These are her links-my mom, Amanda, as well as my fathers Jeremiah and Holt." Will points to each of the people respectively. Amanda, the one with the mean glare, gives me a tight smile as she juts her hand out in greeting. I take it, if not only to be polite, and give it a few pumps before letting go. 

Meanwhile, Will's mom, Willa, brings me into her arms and gives me a warm hug. "I can't believe my William's found you, my dear. It's been a long time coming." Her arms around me tighten and I struggle to find some reason to not hug her back so I go with quick gentle taps to her back and give her my version of a genuine smile. 

I eye her suspiciously, although, I try to hide the feeling and my expression down so as to not be impolite towards them. Long time coming? Why was she so kind? 

"Lilac, honey, it's so great to meet you," Holt steps up to offer me a hug as both he and Jeremiah open their arms up to me with Jeremiah giving me a welcoming look. I look behind me to get some support and all of my links had sheepish grins on their faces. Will, most of all had completely erased his usual scowl with a genuinely happy expression. If all it took was for me to swallow my pride to get that expression than him, then, I'd be pride-less. 

I step into their hugs a little hesitantly but as soon as they enclosed their arms around me, I wanted to cry. 

They reminded me of my fathers and I genuinely missed them right now. I wanted them to meet the guys and tease them like they teased me when I was a child and welcome them with open arms. 

Like an embarrassing child, I sobbed into their arms. Holt replies with an "Oh. Oh no, it's okay sweet pea, has everyone been mean today? Are these boys giving you a hard time?" He says as he gently rubs my back in a comforting way. He lets out a tsk as he gives them all a punishing glare. 

"Wait...No, that's not..." William looks between them and me with a troubled look. 

I pulled away and shook my head to tell both Jeremiah and Holt no that they'd been great. 

"Oh gosh, I'm so sorry Lilac." Willa comes around Jeremiah to pull me away from their arms. "Boys, treat your cardinal with respect she deserves...please. I taught you better than that. She really should not be crying." She gives Will a pointed look that reminded me of my mom when she was lecturing me about something. It made me feel warm and loved. However, her other link, Amanda, looked at me with leery eyes which just about ruined that feeling.