Banished With His Heir

Best Mate

"Your brother is such an ass," I muttered to Skye as I tightened my laces and he put on his skates.

"He is," he agreed instantly. "But honestly? He's been really good to Neo lately. The first night he arrived here, he was so scared and River never left his side. He did everything just to get him to fall asleep soundly and he stayed up all night watching him from the side. I've never seen him so happy and content. Sometimes I wonder if my brother got abducted by an alien and was replaced by someone else." Skye let out a chuckle.

I let out a soft chuckle too, mostly in order to mask what I was really feeling towards his words. Imagining River being there for Neo made my heart soft no matter how hard I tried for it not to do so.

It was difficult for me not to admit that Neo having a father after years of just being the two of us was somewhat a dream come true, but it didn't mean it wasn't affecting me emotionally still.

"Let's hope the River replacement the aliens gave to us is much better or else they'll be getting a one star review." I joked and Skye and I laughed as we walked to the ice

At first, I was a little wobbly, but a few minutes later, I was able to find my balance and fortunately, the ice didn't seem so slippery after all.

Thank you, Chad and friend.

When I was sure that I was much more comfortable and my skates felt less constrictive, I decided to do something I've learned on rollerskates.

Placing my weight in the middle and tightening my stomach, I sucked in a deep breath before twisting my body and letting the blades on the ice spin me around like a ballerina in a jewelry box

"Wow, when did you learn how to spin like that?" River looked at me astonished and I'm not going to lie, flexing a little made me feel good with myself.

"That was so cool, mommy!" Neo clapped his hands as he looked at me with a bright smile.

"Show off," Skye teased but I could tell from his grin that he still found my spin cool

I shrugged my shoulders as I huffed a cold breath. " What did I say? I've been practicing not to fall." I told them with a proud grin.

I managed to get a second glance towards River and I could have sworn in those crystal clear blues of his, he understood the underlying message in my words.

An hour later, my feet and legs were sore and the sun was starting to set. I could feel the jetlag taking a toll on my body and if I push myself any further, I think I'd collapse

I need a very, very long rest.

I skated over to Neo whose eyes were glued at River and Skye as they were gliding around ice like pros I told them not to do anything too risky such as jumps or bumping into each other as this would show violence towards Neo and I didn't want him to copy them.

They were doing really well so far. Zane told me that after I left, their relationship as siblings was also affected, so looking at the two laughing and smiling was admittedly very heartwarming in a way.

"Hey, my little hockey player "I lowered myself next to Neo

"Hi, mommy." He says with a wide smile

"Are you tired? We should go back home so you can rest before dinnertime."

Neo shakes his head "No, I want to skate more! Daddy hasn't taught me how to do the hockey stop!"

"Oh, Neo" I calm him down as I hold onto his waist. "Daddy-" I cleared my throat as I felt uncomfortable saying the word. "He, um, he also has stuff to attend to so he needs to go."

Neo continued to shake his head. "But I still want to learn." He pouts.

Just then, the two brothers slide and stop next to us.

"No worries, big man. I can teach you, but only for another hour then we have to get some rest before dinner. What do you say?" Skye suggested and Neo agreed immediately

I mouth the word 'thank you' to him and he gave me a quick wink before taking Neo away

And then, there were two

River was the one that broke the silence as we took off our skates at the side

"Thanks for letting Neo skate with me," he said with a soft tone.

"Don't thank me. As long as it makes my son happy, I'll allow it. And I have a feeling this wouldn't be the last time. He..." I let out a sigh. "He really looks up to you."

River turned to me, a sense of appreciation obvious in the way he looked at me and I thought I was going to melt right then and there at how his eyes just stared at me so deeply like he was... in love.

I shook my head and looked away before the thought went any further.

"You have no idea how much that means to me, Kei Especially coming from you And I promise I'll do everything I can to be the best father Neo deserves."

I don't say anything. I just gather my things and push myself off of the snow

"Maybe be the best mate, too if you would let me -"

River added and this made me stop frozen on the ground. I turned to him with a baffled look. "What are you saying? You already have a Luna"

"What I told you that night back in Arizona, I mean it I meant every word, Kei. I'll reject her for you, for us. I made a mistake letting you go years ago, but I don't want to make that mistake again. Let me be there for you and Neo, please"

My chest started to tighten and my heart beat so fast I thought I was going to get a heart attack. Fuck, get a hold of yourself, Keira!

I don't know what to say. A part of me knows I should decline his proposition, but the other part of me? Yeah, that part wants it to be true. It wants it to say yes because all she's ever really wanted is this.

A husband. A son. A happy family in a Pack where they could live out the happiest days of their lives.

I deserved it, didn't I? After everything, I deserve at least this much.

"Keira" River called me and the butterflies that had become dormant in my stomach came back to life at the way he said my name and looked at me.

He walks closer and closer until he's about three inches away and my sense of smell is intoxicated by his scent. I think I'm going to faint

"I love you, Keira. I love you and I'm sorry I forgot that before, but I promise I won't ever again. I hope you can forgive me this time, but even if you can't, I'll work every single day of my life to prove that I am worthy of you again." River said as he took my hand and looked at me sincerely.

Oh Goddess, what do I do?