Chapter 120
Chapter 120
~LANA
“I promise I won’t be gone for long,” Apollo reassures me as we say our goodbyes.
I’m not entirely sure what happened after his mother made that comment about his siblings, but it felt like something shifted in him. It was as if she knew exactly how to provoke a reaction from him.
“I haven’t seen them in years,” he explains, almost searching for the right words. He really didn’t need to justify himself. It had been months since I last saw some of my siblings, and I knew that if I got the chance to see them, I wouldn’t hesitate to seize it. “I just need to make sure they’re okay.”
I smile and lean in to kiss his cheek. “Don’t worry, I’ll be right here waiting for you.”
As he strides away, his mother casts a sharp glare in my direction, her eyes narrowing like a hawk spotting its prey.
The atmosphere felt charged, as if she genuinely believed that with enough effort, she could convince him to forget about us.
I held my breath as I watched them head toward her car, parked under the shade of a sprawling sandalwood tree. My heart sinks as I watch them leave, a heavy weight of anxiety settling in my chest.
I was aware that she would try everything possible to persuade him to distance himself from me. This moment was her chance to sway his feelings and turn me into the enemy. However, I knew that she wouldn’t be able to succeed in her plans. What we had was too strong a connection.
“Lana,” my mother speaks up as soon as they’re out of sight. I can sense the frustration in her voice and expression. “How can you even consider that this thing between you and Apollo could work?”
I turn to her, knowing it will take a lot to persuade her to accept my relationship with Apollo. “Mom, I’m sorry for keeping this from you. I should have told you from the beginning that I found out Apollo is my mate.”
I truly believed those words. However, back then I didn’t think there was a chance for Apollo and me. Things were different now, I knew that he wanted me just as much as I needed him.
“Yes,” she snaps, concern lacing her voice. “You kept me in the dark. I understand that Apollo is your mate, and while I’ve never met my own, I can’t imagine how hard this must have been for you. But, this is not a simple situation. He is your step–brother, not a random man!”
It has been torturous to ignore my feelings for Apollo for so long. Still, I wasn’t ready to go into details about it with my mother. She did not need to know how much he meant to me.
“This will affect our family,” she continues, “I can’t support this relationship when I’m married to Apollo’s father. He’s my stepson, and for the longest time, I’ve thought of him as my own. How can I stand by and watch you two together knowing it will affect everyone else?”
I knew it wouldn’t be easy. I understood the complexity of our situation for everyone involved, but I wasn’t about to give up my mate just because it might be challenging.
“Mom, I want to be with him,” I say firmly. “I don’t know what else to do to earn your support. Clearly, nothing I say will make you bless our relationship.”
The impact of my words hits hard; I can see the way they unnerve her. Her shoulders tense up instinctively, as if a heavy weight has been placed upon them, and she straightens her posture, signaling her discomfort.
“Have you seen how poorly his mother treats you?” she counters. “Is that truly how you envision the rest of your life? She will never accept you as family. She only wants Jada for her son. That woman will make the rest of your life miserable. She will constantly try ways to belittle
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Chapter 120
you. My disapproval doesn’t only have to do with Apollo being part of this family, it has to do with his mother as well. I have seen how that woman treated you even before she was aware that you were his mate. I can’t just sit back and watch you destroy your happiness, Lana. I will not let you make such a poor decision.”
I was well aware of Apollo’s mother’s disdain for me, but I wouldn’t let that stand in the way of our relationship.
“It doesn’t matter if she dislikes me,” I reply. “I know what I want.”
She sighs, shaking her head. “I can’t believe you’re not hearing me. I never thought something like this would one day happen to our family.”
“I think we should drop this topic for now.” My stepfather says. “We do not need the entire pack to hear our family problems.”
It was only then that I realized we had company. Jake waves at me and I smile in return.I was sure that Apollo told him to look after me while he was gone.
“Let us go.” My mother tells me. “We can finish this discussion at home.”
I follow her into my stepfather’s truck, my heart feeling heavy. So many things had unfolded so quickly that I was struggling to process it all. I wish there was an easier way to deal with everything.
Once more my mind goes back to my mate.
I felt a twinge of concern for him. He seemed anxious about his siblings, whom I still hadn’t met. He had been quite closed–off regarding his family despite how much closer we had gotten.
I understood that it would take time for him to open up about such a sensitive topic. But we had plenty of time for that. I didn’t want to rush him; I would wait until he was ready to share the truth.
Halfway through our voyage home, a sinking feeling settled in my stomach as I realized this wasn’t the path we typically took. Why did it take me this long to notice?
Sitting up straight in my seat, I cast an anxious glance out of the window, trying to piece together the strange surroundings. Confusion washed over me as I turned to my mother, my voice quivering with a mix of surprise and concern. “Mom?” I inquire, my heart racing. “This isn’t the road that we usually take for home. Where are you taking me?”
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