SIX

I observed Cassa ascend the stairs, her light footsteps echoing until she reached the room, marked by the clicking lock of the door.

Silence enveloped the house, an unexpected occurrence at this hour, signaling my mother's visit. Such an occurrence must hold significance. Yesterday, I conversed with Paps, discussing my cousin Theodore's predicament. He sought assistance regarding a case he found himself entangled in. Paps relayed that Theodore's actions were in self-defense; however, the victim was not a werewolf but a fellow human—the son of a senator.

Theodore was familiar to me—a decent lad, loyal to family and pack. His involvement in such a grave matter was unforeseen. At twelve, he was still in his human form, lacking the strength of his wolf until the age of fourteen. With the senator's influential connections, Theodore faced a high probability of imprisonment. The Ganther family's plea for aid, channeled through Paps, seemed logical given our Montalvo's ties to politics.

Perhaps my mother's arrival pertained to the Ganther family's plight. As the sound of the Mercedes Benz engine ceased, her melodious voice called out to me, drawing me towards the door.

"Dear, your momma is here," her voice echoed, accompanied by the jingle of her bracelets and the rhythmic click-clack of her heels on the stairs' patio, drawing closer to the door.

With a wide smile adorning my charming face, I swung the door open. "Good evening, Momma. Why are you here? Is Dad with you?"

Mother sported crimson pants and a white blouse beneath a stylish crimson jacket, her emerald eyes—a trait inherited by Eloisa—contrasting beautifully against the outfit. Her sandy brown hair curled at the edges, shoulder bag draped over her arm. Standing at five feet eight inches tall, she garnered praises for her beauty. Hannah Davilla Montalvo, once a journalist before marrying my father, Davilla, who served as a beta in the Paviro pack in the north.

Their love story, while not extraordinary, brought me and my two sisters into the world. I couldn't help but notice that Mother had tanned her fair skin, likely from the recent week-long vacation she and Eloisa had enjoyed in Maldives. Regrettably, my own busy schedule prevented me from visiting my parents' home this week.

"I want to see you, there's nothing wrong. You are still my son, my only son," Hannah emphasized, the words "my only son" resonating deeply. It felt as though she feared I had forgotten our bond. She brushed past me, leaving a trail of sugary perfume that tickled my nose—a scent I disliked.

"Well, mother..." I shut the door behind me, trailing after her. "Tell me the reason you are here?"

Hannah chuckled, but there was a strained quality to it. "You truly are my son. Anyway, Dear. Erish informed me about the note from the Blood Moon pack—it's addressed to you." She paused, her back to me before pivoting to face me, her narrowed gaze locking onto mine.

Typical Erish, always reporting to our mother whenever it involves me.

"What trouble are you into, Julius?" She addressed me by name, a clear indication that she sought answers.

I sighed, my thoughts drifting to the impending discussion, grateful that Mother hadn't involved Dad. He had a knack for detecting my lies with just a glance.

"Momma, it's nothing. Just Kyle teasing me," I reasoned, reaching out to touch her shoulder, meeting her eyes. "Trust me, Mom. It's nothing to worry about. You know Kyle."

Ignoring the voices of my wolf, I refused to let anger cloud my thoughts. He wasn't helping, only teasing me further.

Mother scrutinized me for a moment, her expression furrowed. "If you say so, fine," she relented, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me.

Releasing my grip on her shoulder, I watched as she settled onto the soft divan facing the window.

"Would you like some tea, Momma?" I asked, heading towards the kitchen.

"Yes, please. And I've missed your tea; no one can match its delicious taste," she complimented.

It took me ten minutes before I returned to the living room, carrying a tray bearing a teapot and two cups.

A genuine smile graced my mother's features as I carefully placed the teacup in front of her and poured the tea. Hannah hovered her hand above the tea, inhaling its calming aroma.

After savoring the tea, she smiled wider. "I've missed this tea. You haven't visited the house, Dear. Even after picking me up at the airport, you were nowhere to be found. What's been occupying your time?" With delicate care, my mother set her cup back on the table.

Taking a seat on the divan opposite her, I accepted the cup. "I had appointments to attend and issues to resolve. I apologize, Momma."

Hannah crossed her left leg over her right thigh, placing her bag beside her. "I need to understand. Your father was always busy in this town. Have you heard about poor Theodore?"

Sipping the tea, I met my mother's gaze. Setting the cup down, I replied, "Yes, Paps called me yesterday to come to the ranch house. Theodore killed a senator's son."

A heavy sigh escaped my mother. "I can't believe a boy like him would do such a thing. You know Senator Ramos will stop at nothing to ensure my nephew gets a lifetime imprisonment. What will you do, Dear?"

"I'll do everything to help him. I won't let a family member be wrongly imprisoned," I declared with determination, believing Theodore could overcome this ordeal.

"I hope it's that simple, Dear," she said, her tone filled with worry. Silence descended as we both took solace in the tea.

"Are you going to tell me about Cassa Hansen?" Hannah suddenly broached the topic. I unexpectedly swallowed the drink, causing a cough to erupt. Damn! How did Momma know about her? Who spilled the beans?

"You can't keep a secret from me, Julius. Someone informed me that you have a mortal here. Don't tell me you're involved with a Salivan granddaughter?"

I coughed, struggling to compose myself, wiping the tears from my eyes.

"Momma, who told you that? And why would I harbor her here?" I chuckled nervously. "Having a relationship with her is absurd, Momma. She's a mortal, and that goes against pack law."

Hannah's hand clasped between her knees as she fixed a serious gaze on me. "Astallia wouldn't lie to me, Julius. She revealed everything when I asked."

"So it was you who ordered Astallia to poison the soup," I remarked, taken aback by this revelation. Why would I trust a Were capable of such deception, no matter the price?

"You're not denying her presence in your house. What's the reason, dear? Don't lie to me; I'll find out," Hannah warned, her narrowed eyes matching the raised curve of her eyebrow.

Most of my secrets seem to find their way to my mother's ears, and it's frustrating. It's been this way since I was young; she always seems to know everything, a protective instinct that sometimes bruises my ego. My pride takes a hit whenever she's involved, as if I can't stand on my own without her by my side.

“Julius, Dear. I won't tell your father if that's what you're afraid of. You know me." Her soft voice sent a shiver down my spine. I knew my mother; she could be more terrifying than my father when angered. Even he treads carefully to avoid her wrath, a testament to her influence and respect within the councils and packs alike.

My lips pressed together, seeking support from the backrest preparing myself for her sermon. 

"It's between us, Momma," I whispered, though forcing a smile was a challenge. Hannah's triumphant grin adorned her beautiful face, reminiscent of my sister, Erish. Her slender fingers intertwined and rested on her lap.

"Okay."

Exhaling heavily, I drained the contents of my teacup. 'Your mother was so good at this, always made you kiss and tell,' my wolf's banter echoed in my mind.

I explained the deal I had struck with the Blood Moon alpha and the reasons behind it to my mother. Her smile persisted after I finished speaking, leaving me anxiously awaiting her response.

"Julius..." Her voice lowered, sending a shiver down my spine. The intensity of her gaze pounded against my heart. Here it comes...

"Why didn't you tell me about it first? You handled it like a pro? No, my son. You messed up just like your father. Don't you remember what your father did last Monday?" She yelled, and I winced, my wolf howling in agreement inside. My father's mistake in dealing with a business transaction that turned out to be a scam.

"So naive, falling for a scammer. How many times have I warned him not to trust that young businessman Were? But did he listen? No! Never!"

"And you, Julius, following in your father's footsteps! Why would you make such a foolish decision? Did you forget the responsibilities you're about to inherit? Did you?"

"Mom, I know. It's just—"

Her finger silenced me before I could finish speaking. Damn, those were the words I should have kept to myself.

"The only? The only! Options, my son. There's always an option. Your mother knows everything, and you didn't ask for help from me?" she continued to rant.

I felt deafened by my mother's loud voice, enduring her tirade for what seemed like hours until she finally began to calm down.

Massaging my temple, I operated the coffee machine, filling the mug with the hot brew—the one thing I needed right now.

"Where is she?" My mother's demand caught me off guard as I hadn't expected her to be right behind me. I had assumed she was on the phone with my father.

Earlier, I had been saved by my father's call. Had he sensed that I needed his intervention? But even with his past mistakes included, it seemed my mother's sermon would have continued indefinitely.

"Momma, it's late. I have a meeting tomorrow," I replied wearily. I was due to go to Maine the next day; Senator Ramos would be there.

"I don't care about your plans for tomorrow. Where is she?”

I groaned, my head pounding, longing for rest. "Sleeping. You can see her tomorrow morning, Momma, as early as you like."

"Did Daniel know about this?"

I shook my head and took a sip of coffee.

"Good, he didn't know that we are a Were." Her fingers tapped on the wooden surface of the table, her forehead furrowed as she exhaled deeply. Something was troubling her, likely the call from my father. "The council would be the best option for you to take, Dear. Why make such an oath?"

She looked at me, a glint of fear in her eyes. "The oath now holds your life. What if you can't keep it? Our pack needs an Alpha, but you're risking it all for the sake of this town. Have you considered the consequences?”

Had I thought about it? Constantly. But what would the council do? Their actions weren't always fair.

“Is it all because of Evelyn…”

I gripped my cup tightly, her name echoing in my mind, a name I hadn't heard in almost eight year

s. Just hearing it reopened the wound in my heart. Was she the reason I was doing this? Did the woman remind me of her?