Enlightening Bloom(35)

It's not long before the door swings open and my oldest son stands before me. His eyes take me in hesitantly. The distrust cuts like a knife, but I deserve that too. I lied to my boys and my pack for so long. I doubt I'll ever have their trust again. Especially, after my oldest deception comes to light.

"Something I can do for you, Mother?" His words sound forced, particularly around the last word. I ignore it for now, instead choosing to hide my disgrace by straightening my back and giving my request.

"I'd like to request an audience with my Alpha pair."

His eyes widen in shock, which he quickly covers. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Let her in." I hear a feminine voice call from inside the suite. My courage slips a little hearing her voice. She has so many reasons to hate me. I know that. Yet, it still hurts because whether she believes me or not, I do love her. I had my reasons for walking away like I did. And it's those reasons that have me walking into the room, even though I know I'm not wanted.

My eyes scan the room. I take in the Great-Aunt sitting beside her mate on one couch. Behind the opposite couch stands Billy. He's eyeing me with complete distrust. That's one more person to add to the list of people I love dearly that will never return the sentiment. I've made a true mess of my life. Sitting on the couch in front of Billy is Bloom. Her face is blank. That's better than the open hatred she's shown me before. Pike's to her right with his arms around her shoulder. His face is tight like he's trying to hide his dislike, ever the Alpha. To her right is my new daughter-in-law, the one people are referring to as a Guardian. I don't know what the term means, but if the rumors are true then the daggers she's shooting me with her eyes could easily turn into real ones embedded in my body. I'm happy to see my daughter inspires such loyalty, but it hurts knowing that I'm an outsider to that part of her life.

"What do you need, Rose?" Bloom asks. Hearing my own name has never caused as much pain as it does when she says it. I'd rather hear the three letter "M" word, but she's made it clear that'll never happen. I swallow the emotional lump that's clogging my throat. "I know whose pack Kyran has coming with him."

Pike jerks away from Bloom as he comes to sit at the edge of the cushion. "Who?"

"The Wright Pack out of Kentucky."

His eyes narrow with suspicion. "Are you in contact with him? Is that how you have this information?"

"No!"

"How?" Pike demands.

"Because they're my original pack. My sister is still a member and she called me when he showed up there."

Before I can even blink Pike has me backed against the wall with his hand pressed to my throat. "You were hiding him! He helped kidnap my mate. She was almost..." His words become a true growl as he continues. "She was almost raped! And still you help hide him from my rightful justice!"

With my hands pulling on his to stop any attempt at squeezing tighter, I cry out. "He's my son! I can't hand him over to die."

Pike's hand goes tighter but before he can kill me Tucker pulls him away. Then he spins on me himself and growls. "Your son handed his own sister over to a psychopath. For that he forfeits his life. You know the way of the wolves, Mom, so you know you can't protect him."

I sag against the wall in defeat. "I know."

From behind Tucker, Pike, rumbles. "If that's why you came here then you can leave."

My body slides down until I'm sitting on the floor. My head falls into my hands as I sigh. "There's more."

"What else can you possibly have to say?" Pike asks, glaring at me from behind Tucker.

"I know why the Wright Pack is agreeing to attack with Kyran."

Bloom crosses the room to Pike, placing her hands on his arms to soothe him. They look into each other's eyes and I know they're having a conversation through their bond. When she looks away from him her eyes come to me, and instead of asking me why she answers why. "They want me."

Oh, hell!

The rumors that are swirling around are true. I didn't want to believe it. It's a gift that few know of and even fewer have, but she has it. "You're an Oracle." I say my head snapping up to look at her.

She nods in confirmation.

I pull my legs to my chest, dropping my head to my knees, as I start chanting to myself. "Oh, no! Oh, no! I never wanted this for you. Oh, god. Please, no."

So lost in my own head I don't feel anyone coming closer until I feel a hand touch my shoulder. I look up, and through my tear soaked eyes I find Bloom. "What didn't you want for me, Rose?"

I latch on to her wrist. "This! You can't be an Oracle! This is what they planned!" Shaking my head in disbelief. "I didn't know, but this is it. I thought I prevented this from happening to you." I looked her in the eyes, pleading with her to understand. "I tried to stop this from happening. I promise!"