Secrets and Lies

Chapter 24

Here's chapter 24 finally!

~*~

The next morning I was released from the hospital as promised. Josh drove me back to my dad's house where I found my dad and Nathan, and surprisingly my mom, all waiting to greet me when I arrived. Had my mom stayed here? I guess I hadn't thought about where she would be staying.

She was the first to wrap me up in a hug, while my dad and Nathan hung back.

"How are you feeling this morning?" My mom said, concerned etched on her face.

"A little sore but I'm okay," I told her truthfully. I wished she wouldn't worry so much.

I looked over to my dad, realizing it was the first time I had seen him since I was kidnapped.

"I'll give you guys a minute. Come on, Josh. Let's go upstairs and finish packing Mina's things," my mom said, taking Josh's arm before he could even answer and pulling him up the stairs.

I remained silent where I stood unsure how to proceed with my dad and Nathan. No matter what Diana did or how I felt about her she was still Nathan's mom and my dad's mate. I could only imagine the range of emotions they were going through right now.

"Dad, Nathan, I owe you both an apology. None of this would have happened if I hadn't gone through with the ceremony. Diana wouldn't have felt threatened and did what she did. She would also still be alive," I said staring at my feet, my heart pounding in my ears.

Before I knew it, my dad had his arms gently around me. "Don't you dare blame yourself for what Diana did, because I don't," he said with complete sincerity.

"Neither do I," Nathan added, placing a hand on my good shoulder.

"I am so grateful that Josh saved you and that both you and your mother are okay," Dad continued, pulling away so we were now face to face. "I don't want you to worry any more about this. I want you to go home and get some rest and separation."

As if she had been listening for her cue, my mom and Josh came down the stairs with suitcases in hand. "Ready when you are," Josh said.

"We'll hold the ceremony again soon," my dad said, pulling in for one last hug. "See you soon, Kiddo."

"Bye, Dad," I said.

Nathan made his way over. "Bye, Sis. Don't forget you owe me a rematch in Foosball."

"Yes, I have to defend my champion status," I said with a smug smile that quickly faded.

Nathan quickly pulled me in for a hug but I think I caught a glimpse of the sadness on his face before he did.

I gave him a tight squeeze before pulling away. I moved over to where Josh and my mom stood.

"Bye," I said one final time before exiting the house.

~*~

Ascending for the second time in the airplane wasn't as scary, even though I still had a death grip on Josh's arm the whole way up. Once we were in the air I loosened it a little, relaxing more.

That was until my mom took off her seatbelt and plopped herself down in the seat across from ours. "Don't think I forgot you promised me an explanation to all of this."

She might not have but I sure did and now she had me trapped thousands of miles in the air with no way out.

I glanced over to Josh to silently ask for his permission. It wasn't just my secret to tell and I remember him telling me that humans weren't generally allowed to know about them. He just stared blankly at me for a moment, as if deciding, before nodding his head.