Mariah held her breath as everyone looked at her brother, assessing. Judging.
It was her mahmen who approached him first.
- So, you’re Blaxton.
- Yes ma’am.
- Mary. Call me Mary. I’m Mariah’s…
- Mother. She’s my mother.
She hated the hesitation in her mahmen’s voice but saw her eyes lit up with release when Mariah had stated the obvious.
Blaxton stuck his hand out.
- Very pleased to meet you, I have heard so much about you. I…
Mary ignored his outstretched hand and pulled him into a hug.
Funny, she would have expected her father’s bonding scent to have roared at that gesture, but when she looked around; she realized the reason for it’s absence.
Rhage wasn’t here.
He hadn’t come to her birthday party.
He hadn’t come down to meet her brother.
She swallowed hard and held her tears back. He was not hiding from her today. No fucking way.
Her mother released Blax and smiled at him.
- Welcome to the family.
Just like that, he was accepted.
Although the brothers were still a bit reluctant, given Rhage was not here, they greeted him normally, lifting their cups.
- Come, let me introduce you to the King.
Mary put her arm through his and walked him over to Wrath.
She took a deep breath as she glanced over at Ahgony who was standing next to Darius, in full Ahstrux Nohtrum mode, given there was a stranger in the house.
Oh how she wished he was standing next to her, offering her his support. His strength.
How could she have been so blind, so stupid?
*-*-*-*-*
Blaxton blended right into the crowd. The King was impressive. Even though he was blind, he saw right through people, and he was a figure to respect. Mariah took over from Mary as the Queen wanted a word with her. And his sister took him all around to meet everyone.
Rehv and Ehlena greeted him kindly as they already knew him, which was a plus.
- Come, I want to introduce you to my friends.
He smiled indulgently as she dragged him towards a group of females. He recognized Nalla and smiled at her and the young in her arms.
- Hey. Is this your little one?
- Hi Blaxton. Yes, this is Rhemeny.
- Gorgeous, just like it’s mahmen.
He laughed as he was clapped on the back.
- Easy there buddy.
Darius walked passed him and planted a possessive kiss on Nalla’s lips. Ahgony didn’t leave his side and he noticed Mariah trying to talk to him.
- Goooo!
The little one looked at him with her bright yellow eyes. Someone touched his arm. God, there were so many people here. Mariah’s family was huge!
