“My son?” she said to Seton as she peeked into the pod at Roark.
As if she didn’t need to say more, Seton explained the injuries and the duration of his stay in the pod.
“We have been briefed on what happened, although we will get more details from you. Later.”
I could only nod, pleased to know she was concerned for her son’s welfare and interested in learning the reasons for his wounds.
I turned, Noah in my arms, and found Roark’s father smiling broadly. He stood just behind his wife, clearly at ease with the situation. While he glanced at the pod that held his healing son, he looked to me kindly. Roark’s mother, however, had her arms crossed and scrutinized me from head to toe as if sizing me up, or deciding whether or not I passed inspection.
Yes, she was my mother-in-law. Cue the horror film music.
She stepped forward, her gaze never leaving mine. I held my chin up and refused to look away. I was not going to be cowed by some fifty-year-old alien woman, even if she was my mother-in-law. No. Especially because she was my mother-in-law. Show weakness now and she’d run roughshod over me for the rest of my life. I’d heard all the horror stories and seen all the movies. I knew the score.
“You must be Roark’s mother.”
“I am Tracen. Roark is my son.” Her gaze drifted lower, settled on Noah briefly, then returned to my face. “You must be Natalie, Roark’s matched mate.”
“Yes.” I had no idea where this was going. Roark had told me his mother suggested the brides program because he needed a mate, to breed her. From what I remember, he’d said he’d agreed and found the perfect match. Me. But that didn’t mean Roark’s parents approved of an Earth woman for their son. I didn’t know if they would want their grandson, a child who was half-alien. My own mother hadn’t wanted anything to do with Noah, so I didn’t expect what happened next.
Roark’s mother stepped forward and wrapped me in her arms. She sobbed, squeezing Noah and I both so tightly my son started to fuss.
“Welcome, my daughter. The gods have blessed us this day with a new daughter and a grandson. You brought Roark back to us, Natalie of Earth. I can never repay you for this miracle. Welcome. Welcome to our family.” Her voice cracked on the last, her cheek pressed to mine where I felt the wet trail of her tears.
I stood there, stiff, my arms wrapped around Noah as she hugged us both and cried. It was awkward and I glanced at the sleeping Roark in the pod, wishing he were awake to help me.
Roark’s huge father stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his mate, me, and Noah, and I immediately felt safe and protected. “Welcome, daughter.” His deep rumble was so similar to Roark’s that even little Noah stilled.
“I— Thank you.” I had no idea what to say, or how to react. This was not what I expected. First, Seton kneeling like I was some kind of princess, and now this.
Had they let me go, I would have been fine. But they did not release me, not for long minutes, as if they needed to drink us in, their new daughter and precious grandchild. Their love was palpable. I assumed it was love. I’d never felt such drowning emotion from my own parents. Not once. Not as a child coming home for summer break, high school graduation, college graduation, when I gave birth. Never.
This was what I’d been missing.
I cracked, and tears tracked my own cheeks as they continued to hold me in the shelter of their arms. “Roark is a lucky man, to have parents like you.”
Tracen chuckled and finally pulled back. “Not to hear him grumble.” Her smile was genuine and full of teasing. Shell-shocked, I stood still as her gaze lowered to Noah and her smile went from warm to raw, barefaced love. “He looks just like his father.” Her gaze darted to me, then back to Noah. “But he has your eyes.”
Holding Noah in my arms brought me great comfort, knowing he was safe. “Yes. His name is Noah.”
Noah squirmed and Roark’s parents stepped back, both of them looking at him like the doting grandparents I’d dreamed he could have.
“May I hold him?” Tracen asked.
I smiled. God, I was so fucking easy. One real hug and she’d completely won me over. Just that fast, I was willing to hand over my child. “Of course, but he’s going to be hungry soon.”
Tracen held out her arms and I settled Noah there before turning to Miranda. “Did we transport with the diaper bag?”
“Of course. But not enough to last forever.” Miranda looked at Tracen, then at me, apprehensive. “I… I don’t know what anyone is saying.”
I stared at Miranda, not realizing why.
“Why doesn’t she have an NPU?” Roark’s father asked.