SWNOVELS Chapter 43
Chapter 43: Theo
“Kylee is crying because I just kicked her out of the packhouse,” I told my mother. “We are no longer together, and she is no longer welcome here.”
“Okay,” Mom said calmly. “May I ask why?”
“Because she’s been lying and manipulating me,” I said calmly.
“Well, that’s disappointing,” she replied. “Does this mean you’ re ready to tell me what has been going on that led you to this conclusion?”
“You need to tell her, Theo,” Briggs said, sitting on the sofa on the other side of my office.
He meant everything, and he was prepared to sit there to ensure I didn’t miss a thing. I took a deep breath because he was right. And this was going to be a rough conversation.
“Mom, you may want to sit down,” I said, taking a seat in one of the chairs in front of the desk. I didn’t want to put space between us. I would need her strength to get through this.
I started by telling her everything Kylee had told me about Ayla throughout our relationship. This seemed to upset her in a way that surprised me. I realized Kylee hadn’t mentioned Ayla much besides the generic updates when we were around my parents. I don’t think that was on purpose. It’s not like we talked about her constantly. But this was definitely new information for my mother, and she wasn’t happy about it.
“Theo, do you know why Ayla cut ties with our pack?” she
Chapter 43. Theo
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asked sadly. “Please tell me you didn’t have anything to do with it.”
“I did,” I replied quietly, the pain of what 1 had done to my mate renewed yet again.
“What did you do, Theo?”
“I rejected her,” I said. Looking up, shock had taken over my mother’s calm expression. “Ayla is my fated mate.”
My mother stood up. She walked the room a few times, starting to say something and then stopping several times. When I knew she didn’t know what to say, I continued to tell her about the rejections and Ayla cutting ties and losing her wolf. Followed by Kylee’s accusation and how I found out the truth about Ayla.
“Theo, you’re my son, and I love you,” my mother finally spoke. “But disappointed doesn’t begin to cover how I feel right
now.”
hung my head. It hurt to hear that from her, but it was entirely expected. And it wasn’t even in the same realm as the pain and guilt I felt for Ayla. What did surprise me was feeling my mother’s hands gently take mine. I looked up to see her sitting in front of me again.
also know that isn’t who you are,” she said gently. “I will help you figure this out. I’ll help you fix this.”
I felt a weight lift off my shoulders, but it was short-lived when I remembered how complicated the situation was.
“I don’t know if it can be fixed,” I said. “She’s with Alpha Kingston now. And even if she wasn’t, how could she ever
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forgive me for what I’ve done?”
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Mina huffed from her seat on the sofa, making us all look at her.
“He still doesn’t know who she is,” she said, looking at my
mother.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“You’re not wondering where all her money comes from?” Mina asked me before turning back to my mom. “He still doesn’t know.”
Mom stood up and walked to the bookshelf. After a short search, she pulled a book out and brought it back, setting it in my hands. Looking at the cover, I knew the book. It was one of my favorites. But I still had no idea what it had to do with our conversation.
“This is Ayla’s,” Mom said. “She is Sabina Heartwood. She wrote that.”
I held the book in my hands, just staring at it. Even though I had learned a lot about Ayla over the last two days, I realized I hadn’t even scratched the surface of knowing who she was. The need to know more almost became overwhelming.
Mina pulled me out of my thoughts. “If anyone can forgive you, it’s the author of that book.”
The book told the story of a young female werewolf whose family is killed in a tragic accident. After struggling to survive for years, she finds the person responsible for their deaths. It’ s a profound tale with the main character finding her strength and the ability to forgive.
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Mina was right. Hope started to fill my chest, and the pain that had plagued me for over a month started to fade.
“But how do I get to her?” I thought out loud. “Kingston won’t let me back in his territory.”
“You let me worry about that,” my mother said. “In the meantime, I’m going to take care of Kylee and her mother. I have a feeling they’ll try to make a scene of this situation.”
“They can’t know about Ayla and me,” I told her. “Especially Kylee. I don’t trust what she would do, but mostly, Ayla doesn’ t want her to know.”
“I have no intention of giving her any information about you or Ayla,” Mom insisted.
I stood up and hugged her. “Thank you,” I said softly.
“Just do me a favor,” she said with a grave expression. “Don’t tell your father about this. I don’t think he could handle it.”
“I won’t,” I said, understanding why she believed that. “I promise.”
When she left, I grabbed one of the chairs and faced it toward Mina.
‘I want to know about Ayla,” I told her. “Everything you can tell me.”
Mina looked a little uncomfortable. She looked up at Briggs.
“It’s up to you, babe,” he said to her quietly as he brushed his fingers through her hair.
“Fine,” she sighed. “But just know I’m not doing this for you. If
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Ayla does forgive you and you two actually happen, I want her to be happy. And you better bend over backward to ensure that she is.”
“I swear, I’ll do whatever it takes.”
“And you know, even if she does forgive you, it doesn’t mean she’ll decide to be with you,” Mina said. “You need to know that’s a possibility. Ayla usually learns her lessons the first time. If Alpha Kingston is treating her well, if she cares for him, forgiveness may not be enough.”
I swallowed, not sure what I would do if that happened. “I understand.”
“Good, because right now, you don’t deserve her,” Mina stated. “And if she ends up with Alpha Kingston, I want you to know exactly who you lost. And I hope it hurts like hell.”
Briggs sighed and ran a hand over his face. This woman was brutal. And I respected that. I couldn’t help the grin that tugged at the corner of my mouth.
“I can assure you, it would.”
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Chapter 44. Theo