Page 127 of The Alpha's Bullied Rejected Mate

He opened the door quietly and stepped inside.

“Papa!” A small voice hit him like a meteor.

Riley’s voice rang through the air before Marcus could even shut the door. His small feet came padding across the wooden floor. Marcus crouched just in time to catch him, lifting him up in one swift motion.

“Hey there, my little champ.”

Riley giggled, his arms locking around Marcus’s neck.

Marcus grinned.

Papa.

The word echoed in his mind.

Marcus still wasn’t used to it. It warmed his chest every single time. He and Athena had agreed to tell Riley the truthgradually. Marcus had been scared. Terrified, even. But Athena had reassured him. One step at a time. One truth at a time.

And she was right.

“Welcome back,” Athena said, appearing in the hallway barefoot, in one of his shirts, her hair loosely tied. She smiled at him in that way that always grounded him. Her arms were crossed, but her smile was gentle and beautiful as always.

“Missed me?” Marcus questioned as he set Riley down and strolled toward her.

“Only because Riley insisted we wait for you before we eat dinner,” Athena whispered to him, her cheeks flushed, before she darted from him and pumped herself into the sofa next to Riley.

Marcus chuckled as he followed her with his gaze, his heart impossibly full.

***

Later that night, after Riley had been tucked into bed, Marcus and Athena were out on the balcony that overlooked the compound garden.

He stood behind her closely, one of his arms wrapping around her waist.

“You’re quiet,” she murmured.

“Hmm. I’ve just been thinking.”

“Uh-oh. Should I be worried?”

When she turned to face him, Marcus glanced up.

He chuckled. “I want you to come with me for a short visit. You and Riley.” He paused a bit before adding, “to Moon Ridge.”

Marcus knew what he was asking of her, and she tilted her head.

“I want them to meet you again. Not as my past… but as my family. As the Athena you are now. Fierce, strong, beautiful. Heroic. And for them to know Riley. I want to show them my family now and introduce you properly. As my mate. The mother of my son and the woman I love.”

Athena was silent for a long moment.

Marcus knew what he was asking of her, but if they wanted to stop running from things, this was one step they also had to take. And Marcus was ready to be with her, every move of it.

“You know I would never let anyone disrespect you while I breathe, right?” Marcus assured her.

She looked at him again before she nodded. “Yes, I know. I will go with you. We would go with you.”

His breath left him in a rush.

She stepped into him, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek before turning to face the cold air again.