Rogue: a novella

4

I can see there is more that she wants to say but she watches me carefully, like at any moment I'll change into a monster and attack. The idea alone nearly breaks me. I would never hurt her and I don't think I could handle hearing that someone has before.

"I swear, I didn't do anything. And if I had said something," I trail off, trying to think of what I could have said to Finn but really, I hardly said anything to her at all.

"No, it wasn't you. Not really," she mumbles the last part, taking a deep breath and looking back toward the house, "I think she's been terrified of the day I'd meet my mate,"

I recoil at Thalia's confession, shock clear on my face. Mates are sacred to us wolves. There is no bond that is held to a higher respect than a mate bond. Why would she be terrified for Thalia to meet her mate?

She should rejoice that two souls have been reunited by the grace of the Moon Goddess.

My mouth opens and closes as I try to voice these thoughts but I can't find the words.

"Finn was conceived out of a mate bond," Thalia continues, realizing that I'm not sure what to say, "When she was six, her mother met her mate and instead of being honest with him and hoping he'd accept her, she abandoned Finn,"

I can see a flame of anger ignite within Thalia, as he hands form fists and she punches her knees in frustration.

"A mother told her six year old that she was choosing her mate over her daughter," Thalia's voice is like ice as she nearly spits the words out of her mouth.

"oh," it's stupid but I'm stunned and it's all I can think to say. What kind of mother would choose a mate over their own child?

I mean, I know I said that there is no higher bond than a mate, but parent child bonds aren't included in that. The bond of a parent is innate - easier than breathing. I had always thought that there was no question in that bond. And now...

Now my heart breaks for that little girl inside who saw me and started crying that she would be good.

"She thinks I'm going to take you away from her." It wasn't a question and the reality of what Finn has been through crashes around me as I sink to my knees in front of Thalia.

"I found her alone, crying and dirty in the woods a few days after her mother had just left her there. That was four years ago. She's been with me ever since," Thalia nods slowly, her eyes sad as she looks to me and I can see the pleading in them as tears start to roll down her cheeks, "I will not  do that to her again. If you can't accept that Finn is apart of my baggage... No, as part of my family, then..."

Thalia trails off unsure how to voice the last part. But my head is already shaking to stop her. Any mate who would ask their other half to abandon a piece of them or rather would not accept all pieces of them, is not a mate at all.

I walk on my knees until I am in front of her. My hands grab hers holding them tightly as I look into her eyes. I will her to read my mind and to see the truth in my words.

"I would never  ask that of you. Even if she was your biological child, I wouldn't allow you to abandon her for me," I stroke my thumb along her cheek, wiping away the tears as they fall.

"This might be too forward but I would follow you to the end of the Earth. You're my heart and family now. Finn is my family now," I whisper, letting a soft smile cross my face, "You're both stuck with me so better get use to this face," I joke.

Thalia laughs through the tears and the sound causes my heart to soar. I know nothing of raising a child but somehow Thalia and I will find a way. It will be great practice for when we have our own.