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“How could you let this happen? Where the fuck were you two?” she asks.

“Mom, it’s not their fault,” Addie defends us.

“I know it’s not their fault, but if you were here, it never would have happened, and to find out from Pete of all people,” she says, making Addie look at us confused. But we are just as confused.

“Oh, you think I don’t know who you are, what you are? I knew from the moment you two showed up that here she was your mate. That’s why I am pissed off that you let this happen,” Debbie says.

“Wait, you know?” Addie asks, stepping away from her mother.

“Of course I know. Your father and I had no secrets despite the hunters’ organization’s stupid rules. I have always known, but I also know you being their mate means you would always be protected and off-limits. How fucking wrong was that assumption?” she says, scoffing at her own words. “Then that leech Pete rings me and tells me Sam—”

She doesn’t finish. She doesn’t have to. We all know what he has done, but no one would mention it around Addie unless she says it herself.

“It doesn’t matter. Just come inside,” Debbie says, tugging Addie’s hand.

We follow them inside. Eli takes her bag into her room while I go to the kitchen with Debbie and Adeline.

“Wait, why didn’t you tell me you knew?”

“Didn’t want to risk them erasing my memory for one like they did to your sister though that time I didn’t mind. Taylor is doing great, thanks to you, so thank you. But don’t think I don’t know you have used it on me. I am missing a few days,” Debbie says, pointing her finger at me, and I give her a nod.

“So Pete rang you?” I ask.

Debbie nods. “Yes, he gave me the mundane version of what happened. The story everyone would get if it was ever made public.”

I nod. “So, Michael told you?”

“Yes, like I said, we had no secrets, and he often spoke of you two. That’s why I didn’t mind when you both showed up here. My husband was always a good judge of character. Unfortunately, it is also what got him killed,” she says as Eli walks back downstairs.

“Where is Taylor?” Addie asks.

“She should be back soon. She just went to get milk,” Debbie says.

Chapter Forty-Two

Adeline

My mother knew who they were all this time. Knew everything, and I had been hiding it from her, thinking I was protecting her and doing the right thing. I feel bad about keeping it from her but also relieved that I don’t have to hide anything from her and that I can now be open with her.

“I am so glad you are home. I have been so worried ever since Pete rang.”

“Does Pete know you know about the hunters’ organization?”

“He makes out he doesn’t know that I know, but he knows, or he wouldn’t have rung. Pete has always had a bit of a thing for me, so he has stayed in touch over the years. I never believed the story he fed me about your father dying in a car accident. I have always known it was the organization, always known it was that Jamison that killed him for wanting to expose him.”

“Expose him?” Cyrus asks.

“Yes, my husband told me he caught him out with something. He said it was too dangerous to tell me. That if he ever went missing, it would be because of Jamison.”

Cyrus seems to think for a second before nodding. “I will look into it,” Cyrus tells her.

But it won’t do much good. Jamison is dead. Sam’s father died a few months ago.

“I would appreciate that. It would be good to have answers,” my mother tells him, and he nods.

Hearing a car door shut outside, I look to the hallway leading to the front door.

“That will be your sister. I know you’ve been through hell, but I would rather keep all the supernatural stuff to us. I don’t want her finding out and spiraling again,” my mother says, and I nod.