Forbidden Bear (Bear Creek Biker Bears #1)(16)
“Mom, I only took over to keep you safe.”
“I would rather be living in the mountains than have to see you come home with your face black and blue again.”
Mia put her hand to her cheek. “I’m sorry, Mom. I thought I was doing the right thing.”
“I know, and I appreciate it, but I think it’s time this family got out of Dodge.”
“You mean leave Wolf Valley?” Mia was shocked; she thought her mom wanted to live here forever, in the house she had lived in with her husband, the place where she had raised two children.
“I think the change would do us good. That man of yours have a steady job?”
“He’s a biker, Mom.”
“Great.” They reached a door about halfway down the corridor. “Let’s leave that out here, shall we? You bring him round to see me and I’ll talk some sense into him. I don’t want that kind of life for my little girl.”
“I am not your little girl, Mom.”
“Honey, when you have kids, you’ll understand that you will always be my little girl, the same way that Kurt will always be my little boy. And this she-wolf will protect you with her life.”
“Won’t ever come to that.”
“Might if that Piler lays a hand on you again. I might be an old woman, but my wolf still knows how to bite. The jugular is still in the same place, and speed still triumphs over strong. Don’t forget that.”
“And there was me worrying about you, Mom.”
“I can look after myself, Mia. And my pups.”
They went inside. Kurt looked up and then his face took on a worried expression when he saw Mia. Their mom went straight to him and hugged him. “Hi, Kurt. As you can see I brought a surprise visitor with me.”
“Kurt,” Mia said, uncertain of what his response would be. “I hope you don’t mind me coming today.”
“Not at all, Mia.” He got up and came towards her, looking every inch his usual self, if not better.
“The stay in here has done you good, Kurt.” Mia crossed over to him and kissed his cheek.
“It has, Mia; it’s shown me that the things I valued outside are not so important.”
“I see. Do you have any plans to leave?”
Kurt looked over to their mom. “That depends.”
“On what?”
“Listen I think I might need some coffee. There’s a machine down the hall. Anyone else?” Their mom backed away to the door.
“Thanks, want me to come with you?” Mia asked.
“No, sweetheart, I want you to stay here with your brother and not leave until you have sorted this whole mess out. I want Kurt to come home, he knows that, but he won’t come home until you have forgiven him.” She backed out the door and shut it firmly, reminding Mia of the days when they were children and they argued and she would pretty much do the same thing. Shut the door on them and tell them not to come out until they had made up.
“Or she’ll bang our heads together…” Mia murmured.
“She never changes,” Kurt said smiling at Mia. “But you have, sis.”
“I had to. Someone had to take care of us.” She saw his face drop and for a moment, she thought he was going to retreat into himself. “Sorry. It’s been rough.”
“Tell me about it? Anyway, I’m sorry. For what it’s worth, I don’t know what got into me. I hope Fiona is alright.”
“Haven’t seen her. She went over to Bear Creek and never came back. Things in Wolf Valley are not exactly safe, especially not for those who don’t fit in.”
“Is that why you took over the gang? To fit in?”
“There was trouble after you … left us. I picked up and carried on in the only way I knew how.”
“I know. Listen, Mia, I think the only way we are ever going to get past this is if we let things go. What I did … it’s not me now. I’m asking you to forgive me, and then to forget.”
“I can forgive you, as long as this person you are now is real. Mom has got her hopes up that you have changed, if you have, I am happy, I really am. But if you haven’t, then please don’t hurt her anymore.”
“I have changed. When I was crazy, something happened. I don’t know what. I think it was the nurse who was here, but I was so high on drugs, I couldn’t tell.” He looked at her, deep into her eyes. “I think she was the one. You know, the one.”
“Your mate?” Mia felt shocked that he had come so close to his mate and then lost her. “Why didn’t you claim her?”
“Right? How sexy and desirable was I, a drooling crazy man?”
“Then find her.”
“Only when I get myself back together and leave this place. Although the need to find her is like a compulsion.”
“Then do it, Kurt. Pack your bags and leave here with us now.”
“I can’t.”
“Why? Because you’re scared?”
“I’ve been here too long,” he stated.
“And you were a wolf too long, but you got over that.” She came right up to him, placing her hands on his arms. “I know what it’s like to have a mate, Kurt. I also know you will never stop wanting her.”