For the first time in his life, he was able to draw strength from his mother’s words. “We will be waiting.”
She hung up first, and he stared at the phone. Shaking his head, he stood, then walked downstairs. When he sat down next to his mate, he heard the room quiet.
Her hand on his had him looking up.
“Gage, what is it? What’s happened?”
“My mother is coming to visit.”
Ari chuckled. “Do you need us to run interference?”
He shook his head and looked at his unit leader. “She left my father. Evidently, they weren’t true mates. She sounded like a completely different person.”
He heard multiple sharp inhales from around the room.
“What do you mean they weren’t ‘true’ mates? A mate is a mate,” Aeson asked.
“She said that when Prince Magnus invited the wolves, certain already ‘mated’ vampires found true mates amongst them. This brought to light the fact that many of the Founding and Noble families had been arranging matings for years to maintain bloodlines.” He exhaled and sat back. Grinning, he looked around. “She sounded happy.”
Zoe squeezed his hand. “Of course she did. She’s free now.”
He brought her hand up and kissed it. “She said she can’t wait to meet you. In fact, I am under orders to spoil you shamelessly.”
“Wow, she does sound different,” Kincaid said.
He turned to Ari. “She said she’d prefer to stay and your parent’s estate and get to know your mother.”
Ari’s mouth dropped open. “I thought we’d have to pry her from your side. Damn, this is great news!” his eyes widened. “I don’t mean about your parents, just that she’s doing so well.”
Gage nodded, laughing himself. “She said she wanted to get to know herself and what she’s capable of. She’s even going to my uncle to cause a fuss on Zoe’s behalf.”
“Me?” she squeaked adorably.
“Yes,” he mused over the entire phone conversation. “She sounded very fierce when defending you. I can’t wait to meet this new version of my mother.”
Zoe leaned and rested her head on his shoulder. “Me too.”
He was actually looking forward to his mother’s visit. Shaking his head, he started to eat his breakfast. Gods knew he’d probably need all his energy and strength today with two feisty women in his life.
Chapter Ten
Zoe stood next to Gage in front of the palace. Aiden was giving Meryn a laundry list of things she couldn’t do. Meryn, on the other hand, was ignoring him and fussing over Pip’s parasol. Izzy was saying goodbye to her mate, who looked like he was close to pouting. Evidently Nigel and Neil were staying behind to help Kendrick with his portal energy project after their earth magic lessons.
Pierce watched the entire scene with a smile. He saw her looking his way and walked over. “I know Aiden and Ryuu mean well, but they forget she’s a grown woman half the time.”
Gage winced. “I’ve heard stories of what that grown woman is capable of doing. Maybe she does need some rules set for her.”
Zoe poked her mate’s arm. “Just because they are mates, that doesn’t mean he gets to set rules for her.”
Gage sighed. “Zoe, I’m speaking of setting boundaries on her not electrocuting people and avoiding grenades, not that she can’t spend a certain amount of money.”
Zoe looked to Pierce for confirmation. He nodded, grinning. “Maybe just a few pointers,” she conceded.
Meryn walked over with Pip and a resigned-looking Aiden behind her. Heaving a huge sigh, he picked up his mate, kissed her, then set her back down. “Try not to level the city, baby.”
“I will make every effort to acquiesce to your request,” Meryn replied, smiling sweetly up at her mate.
“Pierce!” Aiden grumbled loudly.