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Torn,I’mjust about to call theCommanderand ask him ifIcan bring him with me if only just for this evening whenIhear an odd rumble coming closer. “MeK, what is that?”Kikigets in front of me, growling as the sound gets louder.

“That’sa shuttle.”Herushes down the ramp only for me to hear, “FRACK.”

Thatcan only mean one thing or one person, andI’mnot hanging around this time.PickingKikiup,Ihead for the ramp, only to stop in my tracks when her eyes find mine. “Dammit!”

“Mother, what are you doing here again?”

“Ihave sent you this contract three times with no response.Commedmultiple times only to be told you were busy or on an emergency.Thetruth of the matter is you were playing with your new pet, simply ignoring your responsibilities.”

Asmuch asIwould love to tell that woman whatIthink of her,I’vealready heard enough, and it’s not my place to get in between them.It’shis mother.MeKmust have seen me walking behind him because he reaches out to stop me.Idon’t know who’s more shocked, his mother or me, when he pulls me into his side, his massive arm wrapping around my waist.Kikiwiggles out of my arms only to sit on my feet.

“Mother, that is enough.Giveme the holo pad with the contract on it andIwill take care of that issue immediately so that all are clear on my intentions and plans moving forward.”

Myheart plummets whenIrealize he’s going to accept another woman while holding me.

Witha clear smirk on her face, his mother walks closer with a shit-eating grin on her face.Itry to move away to escape this hell once again, butMeK’slarge arm holds me tightly.Heonly releases me enough to take the pad in one hand while his fingers glide over the screen with the other. ‘WhydoIkeep putting myself into these situations?’

“Youknow son,Iunderstand why you were so hesitant to finish this.Yourpet is quite exotic, and if this makes it any easier, we will find a place to keep her, discreetly of course, until you are done playing with it.”

“Iplan on keeping her slightly closer, mother.Hereis your contract.”

Tearspool in my eyes as they talk about me likeI’mnot even here, andIfeel the crack in my heart that was starting to heal.Theone that told me to forgive him is starting to break apart.

Hehands the holo pad back to her, and she’s all smiles until she glances down. “Whatis this?” she snarls out.Herbeautiful persona crumbles, revealing the true evil she tries to hide from everyone.

“Thatis an erased document, mother.Therewill be no contact and no arranged companion contracts for me ever.TheLordofLightgranted me a blessing thatIdid not deserve, andIalmost lost her becauseIput my worth above all others, as you have taught me to.BecauseIwas a coward,Iallowed your words to poison the foundation of what should have been one of the happiest times in my life.Ifound my true mate, the one person in this entire universe made just for me, and like an idiot,Iran from the signs, and theGodsalmost took her back simply because of my neglect.

“MeK, she is a mistake and you know this.Youare throwing your career and your worth away for a primitive piece of tail!”

“ENOUGH!”MeKroars out, andIswear the ground around us shakes.Kikibares his teeth, growling as he knows something’s wrong.

“Youwill not ever speak ill ofLacie, your one and only son’s mate ever again.Becauseof your prejudice and hate,Ihave allowed your words to mold me into an object.Ihave never been more than a tool you were using to improve your own standing.Fromthe moment you won that lottery, all you could see is what you could gain from my birth.Thesad part mother, is that even as an adult,Isaw what you were doing and still loved you anyway.Canyou say the same to me?”

Hersolid black eyes glare at me filled with hatred, like all of her bad decisions were my fault.

“Iknew something like this would happen when you left our perfect world to work with your father.Hehas manipulated your mind, butIwill not allow you to destroy yourself, so now, this is enough of your rebellion.Ihave heard your words and your concern, but it is apparent that the emotions you have been subjected to here have taken their toll.Onceyou are home in a calmer environment, things will return to normal, and we can then talk about your future.”

“Mother, can you even hear yourself?”

“Iam not the one confused hereMeK, you are.”

“Listento my words, mother becauseIwill not repeat them.Perhapsover the rotations, you have forgotten a crucial aspect of my being.IAMTHESONOFDAR!Iwill never hide whoIam or whoIlove ever again for you or any other.Myrunes and this mark show the entire universe how blessedIam.Ithank theLordofLightthat my father’s essence was stronger than yours orIwould have been cursed with the same lonely fate you have lived all your life.”

“Ifyou stay here,Iwill disown you.”

“Thatis your choice, mother.”

BeforeMeKcan say another word, it’s like the air suddenly changes around us, and allIcan feel is his wrath before he even walks around the shuttle.

“Madra, what is the meaning of this?”

“Ihave come to retrieve my sonDaR, but it seems you and this primitive race have brainwashed him.Now, he is a creatureIno longer recognize.”

“No, my son has finally cut his ties with your poisonous reign,Madra.Youare to leave this planet and never return.IfIeven see your ship in the atmosphere again,Iwill give the orders for you to be shot down.Theonly reasonIam giving you the option to leave is because ofMeK’slove for you, even though theLordofLightknows you do not deserve it.Ifyou make me your enemy, you will not enjoy the consequences!”

“DaR,Iwas just leaving, and you do not have to worry about me returning.Ihave nothing here.Noson of mine would throw his life and career away so frivolously.”

Bythis time,Ican’t stop the tears asIimagine the painMeKmust be feeling right now.Imay hate the woman, but he didn’t do anything to deserve this, especially since you can’t pick your parents.