Page 31 of Claiming Xan (Shifters of Greymercy #7)
RIVER
August’s heat blazed right into September, though the nights were cool. Xan liked opening our bedroom window so we could fall asleep to the sounds of tree frogs and crickets singing their midnight minstrel.
Today, we were in Greymercy, shopping for clothes. A new boutique had opened up on the square and Xan had “practically been dying” (his words, not mine) for some new paternity tops, so of course I entertained him and went along for the ride.
It definitely didn’t hurt that he was cute as fuck—and oddly sexy, even with his growing baby-bump. Whatever pheromones his pregnant body was pumping out was definitely doing it for me. We’d been going at it like rabbits.
Or maybe my wolf was just insatiable when it came to Xan Howell.
“Got everything you need?” I asked when he came strutting over to me with his shopping haul in tow. “Ready to go?”
“Yeah, but these bags are sooo heavy,” he whined. His shoulders slumped forward, as if the weight of the shopping bags was too much for his small body to take. I suppressed my snort— just barely—and swooped in like Prince Charming, deftly taking the bags from his grasp.
He gasped in delight, his hands flying up to cup over his mouth. “You’re my big, strong Alpha! Coming to my rescue.”
I rolled my eyes. “You are such a brat.”
He flashed a wicked smile. “You love it. Thanks, babe. I really am tired. Trying on clothes is a workout when you’re preggo. Never would’ve guessed it.”
He laughed and stroked both palms over his tummy, his expression taking on a sudden gentleness. “Worth it, though. Just means I’ll have to work out extra-hard after it’s born to make sure I don’t retain the baby weight. Gotta keep my boyish figure, after all.”
“Xan.” I growled the word in a timbre that had him freezing, his head popping up to stare at me. “You’re gorgeous, no matter what. Don’t let something as silly as weight define you. You’re more than that.”
A soft pink blush crept over his cheeks, but he smiled at me. “Aww… Thank you, River. That’s sweet.” He glanced away, shrugging it off. “C’mon, let’s go. I’m getting a little hungry.”
“You’re always hungry,” I replied knowingly.
“I’m eating for two now!”
Smiling, I took his hand in mine and we walked down the sidewalk together, towards where Xan parked his car. We were nearly there, when suddenly?—
“River? I-Is… Is that really you?”
A hauntingly familiar voice reached my ears. It made my blood run colder than ice. Everything inside of me, every muscle, seized as if shocked, and I staggered to a halt.
No. It couldn’t be.
Shopping bags falling from my hand, I wheeled around to face none-other than the woman who signed off on me years ago.
My mother.
For a moment, I could only stare at her, my eyes wide and my jaw slack. Shocked. Stunned to silence as I took in her bedraggled appearance—rumpled clothing, disheveled hair, crow’s feet and wrinkles—and then rage erupted fiery than any volcano. It burst through me, snapping taut.
This bitch sold us. This bitch sentenced us to years of cruelty at the hands of mad scientists. My face twisted in a sneer as she cried out my name.
“RIVER!” She lurched forwards on a sob, reaching out to me with both arms outstretched. My stomach bottomed out. I shoved her away from me, hard enough that she toppled backwards.
“Don’t fucking talk to me, bitch!” I screamed. “I have NOTHING to say to you!”
“W-Wait!” She scrambled to her feet, her hands up and in front of her, a sign of peace, but I felt anything but peaceful. “P-Please, let me explain?—”
“I SAID SHUT THE FUCK UP!” I shoved her again, then changed my mind at the last minute and grabbed her shirt collar to yank her closer, my wolf snarling and bristled, yearning to tear out her throat for her betrayal.
“RIVER! STOP!” Xan’s voice was among the din of the crowd we were gathering, gasps and murmurs as I began to shake my mother like a rag doll.
“Do you have any idea what they did to us? DO YOU EVEN CARE? I don’t even want to look at you! You’re a fucking monster!” I snarled, my voice ripe with pain and rage. “SELLING YOUR CHILDREN?”
“River! Please!” she wailed.
“RIVER! STOP!” Xan grabbed my arm, but I paid him no heed. My gaze cut holes into my mother’s soul as I pulled my fist back, my hand balled up, ready to punch the living shit out of her, but Xan snagged my wrist and jerked it back down. “NO. Stop. Let her go. Now!”
My wolf was right beneath my skin, so close I could feel the hairs prickling and stabbing me.
He was snarling and vicious, but Xan’s words seemed to reach him—reach me —and I used what was left of my energy to shove my mother away from me.
She sobbed as she hit the ground, covering her face with her hands.
I wheeled away, panting hard. Xan yanked on my arm. “Let’s go. Now. Please, River, leave her. Just let it go. It’s not worth going to jail over. Please. I need you with me.”
Shaking all over, I nodded jerkily and stepped back, following Xan back to the car. My head spun. I felt like I might get sick as I sank down in the passenger seat and tucked my head between my knees, choking down breath after ragged breath.
I was having a panic attack.
I never thought I’d see her again. She even smelled the same as she used to, like chamomile and clove cigarettes… Xan gently rubbed my back, whispering soft nothings to me until I calmed down enough that he could drive us home.
Gracie was waiting on us when we got there. Apparently, someone in Greymercy had witness the chaos and alerted her to what had happened. Almost immediately, she jumped down my throat.
“Attacking a woman? What the hell were you thinking?” she demanded, her anger barely restrained, shades of our last argument showing through her ruddy cheeks.
I bristled, my ire spiking, but Xan stepped between us with a snarl of his own.
“Stop!” he shouted. “Would you just let me explain? I handled it, alright? Why can’t you trust me? River’s been through enough today. Leave him alone! Come on, River.”
Gripping my hand in his, he stormed past his mother, leading me inside to our bedroom. We crawled into bed and I buried my face in Xan’s stomach and pressed close, my heart hammering and my body trembling, while Xan hushed me with gentle words.
“It’s okay, Riv. I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault,” I choked out.
“Not yours either, baby. Come here. Let me take care of you,” he murmured, stroking his hands through my hair, and I relinquished myself to his tender touch.
Later, once I’d calmed down, I texted Sky. Saw Mom in town today. Did not take it well, to put it lightly. If it wasn’t for Xan, I’d probably be in jail.
He replied immediately. Holy shit. Why was our mother in Greymercy?
I have no idea, but seeing her triggered my rage. I wanted to kill her, Sky. I probably would’ve if Xan hadn’t stopped me.
Xan? The Alpha’s son? Isn’t he an Omega? How did he make you stop?
I cursed softly under my breath. Damn it. Cat was out of the bag now. I’d better rip the band-aid off fast. Because he’s my mate. It’s a long story and I don’t have the energy for it tonight. I didn’t want to tell you yet because I knew you’d get upset, but I have a mate.
This time, the reply took awhile. Then, finally, my phone buzzed. Oh. That’s nice, I guess. Good for you.
I sighed and rubbed at my face. Yep. He was definitely pissed.
Another text came in: No wonder you haven’t been texting me. I get it now.
Sky… It isn’t like that.
It doesn’t matter. Good job on not killing Mom. I’m going to bed. Goodnight.
I tossed my phone onto the mattress and dropped my head into my hands. “Fuck…” I uttered, feeling breathless all over again.
“River? You okay?” Xan asked, looking up from his Nintendo Switch.
“No,” I admitted. “Not really. Sky knows about you now, though.”
He grimaced. “I take it he didn’t take it well?”
“Nope. But I don’t have to hide it anymore, at least.” I blew out a breath, then rolled over to plug my phone into the charger beside the bed, setting it on the bedside table. Flopping back onto my back, I looked up at Xan with tired eyes. “Can we just go to bed? I need you.”
“Of course, baby.” He set his video game aside and curled up beside me, cuddling me. I wrapped my arms around him, holding him to my chest, and breathed in his sweet candy scent.
This, at least, was worth it.