Page 25 of Claiming Xan (Shifters of Greymercy #7)

XAN

We spent six days together. Six days just catching up and cuddling while watching TV. Six days bathing together in the large jacuzzi tub, then stretching out damp and naked on the bed and fooling around. Even without the heat hormones, our chemistry sparked hot, and I came again and again.

On the final morning before check-out, we lounged in bed and talked about a little bit about everything and anything—anything except for our fragile future together.

My phone buzzed on the table beside the bed. I groaned. “Ugh.” I already knew who it was before I ever picked it up and swiped over the screen.

And I was right. “Come to the house around ten for a family meeting.” I read Mom’s text aloud before letting my phone drop back down to my chest. I turned my head to look over at River, who growled.

“Sounds ominous,” he muttered. “Like I’m going to be sacrificed to a great wolf god or something.”

That made me snort, then giggle. Rolling over, I leaned in and kissed him.

God, I liked kissing him. “No one’s sacrificing anyone,” I said, matter-of-fact.

“I don’t know why we need family involved, though.

This is between us and her. My siblings don’t have any business being a part of this, but leave it to Mom to add a bit of drama to the mix.

” I rolled my eyes. “Ugh. I don’t want to go. Do we have to?”

River looked at me, and he looked so damn soulful that my heart skipped a beat. Emotion shone in his two-toned eyes, but it was an emotion I couldn’t quite decipher until, finally, he spoke.

“We could always skip town. Elope and put down roots somewhere else, where nobody knows our names. Start fresh, just the two of us,” he said softly, making my chest squeeze.

“I’m tempted…but this place is my home, and these people, however insufferable, are my family,” I told him. “And besides, I would miss Shay and Donovan a lot. I’m going to be a godfather in a couple more months. I can’t miss that.”

River smiled. “I know. Your place is here.”

I reached over and squeezed his hand. “Your place can be here, too, you know. With me,” I said. “Let’s just deal with Mom and get it over with. Worst case scenario, we only see her on holidays and only because I don’t want to deprive my baby of never knowing it’s grandmother.”

“And best case scenario?” he asked.

I puffed out my cheeks on a sigh. “I don’t know. I’d like to think Mom’ll come to terms with us being mates and start treating you better, but who knows. C’mon, let’s go shower before we have to pack up and check out.”

Just like the last time we made the trek from hotel to home, the drive was quiet. Except this time, I held on to River’s hand, my thumb rubbing gentle circles over his knuckles.

I could feel the Alpha’s tension. I knew that this wasn’t comfortable for River—hell, it wasn’t comfortable for me , seeing how I left things with Mom, but we needed to set things straight.

As I pulled into the drive and parked alongside Kace’s truck, I turned to River. “Look at me.” He did, and I gazed into his eyes. “No matter what, we’re in this together, okay? I’m not letting you walk away again. If she can’t accept you, then she can’t accept us.”

River growled, but it petered into a soft whine before he nodded. I leaned up and kissed him, and we went inside, our hands held and our hearts hammering.

Home smelled like it always did—freshly brewed coffee and something sweet and cinnamon in the oven. We barely made it through the door before I heard, “Xanny!”

Nevin came running over and threw his arms around my neck, hugging me fiercely. I dropped River’s hand to grab onto Nevin’s shoulders. “Nev, hey.”

He pulled back, his brows pinched in a frown. “I was worried about you…” He glanced over at River, who had gone stiff. Then Nevin offered a delicate hand. “I don’t think we were ever formally introduced. I’m Nevin Moore, Kace’s mate.”

“And fiancé,” I teased, pointing out the gorgeous sapphire and diamond ring on Nevin’s finger. The other Omega blushed. “Nevin, this is River. He’s a little on edge right now, but maybe we can all get together for game night sometime, and you could get to know each other?”

Nevin’s smile was bright. “I’d love that. That’s a great idea.”

“Wait. Where’s the baby?” I asked, and Nevin giggled.

“In his carrier, fast asleep. Car rides always zonk him out.”

“Aww, so cute.” My hand fell to my flat stomach, my thoughts immediately turning to the little glow of life growing inside of me now. Would it be a boy like Zechariah, or would I get a little girl to dress in cute dresses and hair bows?

Kace’s shadow fell over the doorway to the foyer. “Hey, the gang’s all here. Are you coming?” he asked, a lopsided smile on his face.

I waved him off. “Yeah, yeah.” I looked up at River. “Ready?”

“No,” he grunted.

“C’mon.” I squeezed his hand, and we entered the dining room together, on the heels of my brother and his mate.

Mom sat at the head of the table. I couldn’t help but notice she looked exhausted, her wrinkles more pronounced and the bags beneath her eyes sagging. On one side of her sat Tasha and Quinn, and Kace and Nevin took the other.

Mom’s gaze landed on River and I saw the anger flicker across her face before she quickly schooled it. River stiffened beside me, so I knew he’d noticed it too, which meant we were already off to such a wonderful start.

Mom gestured and said, “Please. Sit.” We took our places at the opposite end of the table, facing my family directly. I won’t lie, it felt kind of like we were about to face the executioner.

Once we were seated, she cleared her throat and sat up a little straighter in her chair. “I appreciate your willingness to hear me out.”

“Yeah, but why did you need to get the whole damn family involved in our personal matters?” I asked, cutting a glance to Kace. “No offense.”

Kace simply smiled. “We’re the judge and the jury. Witnesses, so that whatever might be said today can’t be twisted and used against the other.”

“If it comes down to that,” Nevin added.

I nodded slowly. “Alright. Then let’s get this over with so we can all move on with our lives. Mom? You wanna speak your mind first?”

Mom visibly blanched. She looked between her three eldest children before her golden eyes landed on River. She studied him for a moment before frowning.

“Of course. I…want to offer an apology. I behaved poorly and doing so caused a chain of events that I deeply regret,” she said quietly.

“I reacted like an angry mother, not like the pack Alpha I am supposed to be. I was not in control of my emotions that day, and I’ve said and done things I can’t take back, and I am sorry.

If I could have it to do over again, things would be different. ”

She drew in a deep breath, then shook her head.

“Worse, I endangered your life because of my harsh reaction. I did not act as an Alpha should have…and it might’ve broken my family.

” Her shoulders slumped. She ran her hands over her face and through her dark hair, then looked at me. “Do you hate me?”

I hated that she looked like she was about to cry.

“I could never hate you,” I told her. “You’re my mom, but what you did was cruel and unfair to River, and I don’t regret standing up for what I felt was right.

These past two weeks have been awful, but somehow, River came back to me and I’ll be damned if I let you chase him away again.

If that means we leave the pack and move into town, then that’s what we’ll do. ”

“Xan—”

“No, Mom. I mean it,” I said sharply. “I know you don’t like him or trust him, but you’ve never even given River a fair chance!

All you know is what you’ve read about Alpha-Omega twins, while I’ve spent time with him.

I’ve gotten to know him and I like what I see.

He’s not a monster. He’s just a bit growly. ”

I reached over and squeezed River’s arm, then patted it. Then, steeling myself for her reaction, I pulled down the collar of my shirt to expose my mating mark. “He’s also my mate.”

A gasp escaped both Mom and my sister, Quinn.

“I know what you’re going to say, so don’t bother.

‘Xan, you’re too impulsive. Xan, you’re too young to know what you want.

Xan, you’re throwing your life away.’ Well, fuck it.

Too late now. I’m choosing River, and if I have to choose him over family, then so be it.

I don’t want to, but if you can’t accept my decision, then I have no choice. River is a part of my life now.”

“Xan…” Mom looked pained.

I took a deep breath and held up my hand. “Stop. Before you say anything else, there’s one last thing you need to know,” I told her, despite the squirming in my stomach. Was this morning sickness? Or was it simply just nerves? “I’m pregnant.”

Mom covered her mouth with her hand like she might be sick, while my Alpha siblings just stared at me. I squared my jaw. “I’m pregnant with River’s child, and we’re keeping it. So before you go casting judgement, know that I’m carrying your future grandchild.”

The room was silent. No one dared to speak. Nevin fidgeted nervously, nibbling on his lip.

“Oh, Xan,” Mom said in a despondent voice. “This isn’t what I wanted for you.”

Anger blistered through me, hot and sudden.

I leapt to my feet and slapped the table with both of my hands, growling.

“Well, maybe it’s what I wanted for me! Didn’t you stop and think about that?

” I shouted. “I finally find someone that makes me happy and you can’t even accept him?

You accepted Nevin, and his ex nearly kidnapped me! ”

Nevin flinched and mouthed the word “sorry.” I shook my head. It was a low blow, but I could apologize later.

“River is my mate. He is my Alpha, and I am his Omega. The end. Do with it as you will.” I pushed the chair back and River stood. I grabbed his hand, steadfast. “If we’re done here?—”

“Wait!” Mom was on her feet, moving towards us quickly. River snarled and took a step forward, as if to protect me, but I placed a hand on his chest. “Xan, baby, please! Don’t go. I’m sorry.”

She reached for me, tears streaming down her face, and my resolve crumbled. She looked so damn fragile in that moment, that I folded into her embrace and let her hug me. I dropped my forehead to her shoulder as she squeezed me tightly.

“What can I do to fix this?” she whispered. “Tell me.”

I pulled back and held her out at arm’s length. She stared at me so helplessly. I swallowed the emotion clogging my throat and said, “You can start by giving River a second chance—and actually trying to get to know him.”

She nodded slowly. “Will you move back in? Babies are expensive. You’ll need to save money, and?—”

I stopped her. “It depends. Will you start treating me like you treat Kace and Quinn? Like adults? I know I’m the youngest, but I’m not a child anymore, Mom. I have adult needs, and one of those needs is to share a bedroom with my mate. Is that going to be a problem?”

She hesitated, glancing between me and River before swallowing. “No. If you are mates, then…” She took a deep breath. “The baby needs both of its parents. I won’t lie. It will be…a big adjustment for me, but I’ll try, okay? Give me a second chance.”

“Kace?” I asked. “What do you think?”

Kace cocked his head, then gave a sort-of half smile. “I think it should be up to River, honestly. He’s the one that Mom turned on.”

Everyone turned their attention to my mate. River bared his teeth with a low growl. “What?”

“Can you give Mom another chance if we move back in?” I asked him.

He huffed. “Like we have anywhere else to go.” I made a face. He kind of had a point. He turned his full attention on Mom, staring her down, and Mom stared right back. The tension between them snapped taut as a wire before River finally dropped his gaze.

“Fine. But get one thing straight—I did not taint your son. If anything, Xan was the one doing all the tempting. I tried to keep my distance, but he’s just…” He trailed off, and I smiled.

“Yes?”

River huffed. “He’s too damn Xan. All sunshine and rainbows.”

To my surprise, Mom smiled. “That he is.”