Page 35 of The Dragons’ Eternal Mate

“Edmond died when we were teenagers—the official story was that it was due to an attack by a rogue.”

I ducked my chin, the pain written all over Ma’s face. “But that’s not what happened?”

Ma shook her head. “I was nineteen the first time I felt the mate bond with Edmond. It was electric. He’d been away at college, a few years older than me, and the future Alpha. I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world. We knew the moment we told everyone that things would change, however. So, we decided to take a few weeks and get to know one another. Edmond wanted to make sure I knew what I was getting into. Well, one thing led to another, and I learned I was pregnant. We met by our favorite waterfall one evening, and I told him. He was so excited. We knew, with a baby involved, we’d have to tell the horde, and we were looking forward to it. But…”

I could barely breathe, barely move as Ma’s expression dropped, her eyes pinned to the bed where her fingers tangled together nervously.

“We were getting up to leave when Cyrus entered the clearing, and Edmond shoved me out of the way. Cyrus didn’t even know I was there. What I witnessed…”

I reached out, grabbing Ma’s good hand as my eyes stung.

“He killed my mate,” she said in a broken voice. “He wanted to be Alpha, and he knew that if Edmond died, he was next in line. I watched that bastard slaughter the man who meant everything to me, and I never said a word. I’ve lived so long with that regret, and now that Cyrus has… done all this…”

“Why didn’t you tell anyone?”

“Because of Orsen. Cyrus is a cruel, particularly evil bastard. I had no way of knowing if his bloodlust would care that Orsen was an innocent child.”

“Oh God,” I muttered, realization dawning on me. If Orsen was the son of the Alpha who was killed, then technically, he was the next rightful heir—not Cyrus. I had no doubt that the bastard would happily kill a child to keep his position.

Or the man he’d grown up to be.

“I told my family it was a one-night stand while we were traveling, and that it was a surprise blessing. They were not happy about it. I haven’t spoken to them in years. I wanted to leave, but I couldn’t find an excuse. The last thing I wanted was for Cyrus to figure it out and come after my son.”

“You did what you had to in order to protect Orsen.”

“But if I had spoken up sooner… Rowan, you never would have been hurt if I hadn’t been such a coward. And Cyrus is worse. He’s gone after a pregnant woman. If he found out about Orsen now…”

My heart broke for Ma, she worried for everyone else, but never herself. I couldn’t lie to her and say she had no reason to worry. The man had shown all of us just what he was capable of. But none of that was on Ma.

“No, the only person responsible for what happened to me is Cyrus. Ma, you were protecting Orsen.”

“And by protecting him, I allowed a monster to run free who nearly killed my son’s mate. Oh God, he’ll hate me when he finds out.”

I pulled her into a hug, squeezing her tightly. “No, he won’t. He’ll understand.”

“There’s another reason I brought this up now. My brother… Orsen has no idea, but he’s an Alpha in the south. Alpha Devaux. If I call, he will come. I know it’s too little too late, but I think we need all the help we can get.”

“You would call him?” I asked.

“I’ve not spoken to my brother in years… but I will.”

“In that case, you need to talk to Orsen—and Bastian.”

Ma swallowed. “Can you do it? I’m so tired… but they need to know.”

Considering Ma was taking several strong painkillers, it probably was for the best for me to tell them. As she lay in bed, her eyes started to drift shut. She’d done so much for me and this horde. I could do this for her.

Getting up, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what I was about to do.

I didn’t have to do much to find Bastian, considering he was in the hallway, leaning against the wall, looking perfectly calm and content, simply waiting for his mate.

“Where to now?” he asked, smiling easily.

“Is Orsen in his office?” I knew how off my tone sounded, but I didn’t bother adjusting it. There was no way around this conversation. The only way out was through.

Bastian stood straight. “Is Ma okay?”

I nodded, reaching out to take his hand. “Yes, she’s fine. I just need to speak to the pair of you.”