Chapter 790: The Truth About Her Birth

It wasn’t hard for Ezra to find Nancy. Not when even a mere human could track her down by the sound of her uneven sniffing.

She was in the garden, seated on one of the wrought-iron chairs beneath an old oak tree, crying as quietly as she could.

The instant Nancy spotted her mate, her hand flew to her face. She hastily wiped at her cheeks, attempting to compose herself before he reached her.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, trying to steady her voice. "Shouldn’t you be talking to Asher? If they finally reached out after all this time, then it must be important."

Ezra sat beside her without hesitation. "I would have stayed," he said, "except my pregnant mate is upset. That’s non-negotiable. What kind of man would I be? They called once. They’ll call again."

"Fuck." Nancy let out a shaky breath, realizing she was making this about herself. "I don’t know why the tears just keep falling. I’m usually better at getting my emotions under control." She wiped at her face again, more frustrated than before.

Ezra caught her hand, stopping her.

"You’re pregnant with my child. A werewolf child," he reminded her gently. "That’s not an ordinary pregnancy. It would be more concerning if your emotions weren’t all over the place."

"Right." Nancy nodded stiffly, her lips pressed thin.

Her gaze lingered on Ezra. Then her lips trembled again, and the tears came back harder.

"I always knew," she whispered, "somewhere at the back of my mind, that a day like this would come. And yet, it feels like my heart is breaking into pieces." Her voice cracked. "I wasn’t even the best mother to her, Ezra."

Ezra cupped her face. He admitted. "You weren’t a perfect mother, but you were there for eighteen years of Violet’s life. Something her birth mother couldn’t be."

He brushed his thumb over her cheek. "We don’t know the full story yet. But from where I stand, Nancy, you are the best mother Violet has ever had."

"Now come here."

He pulled her into his chest, and Nancy didn’t resist. She leaned into him, sobbing freely this time.

After a moment, she sniffed and muttered, "I’m angry too, you know."

Ezra looked down at her.

"She hid the news of her birth mother from me," Nancy continued, her voice thick. "I would never have stopped her if she wanted to visit the Fae realm. I wouldn’t have chained her down. I just... I can’t believe she kept something this big from me."

Ezra huffed. "Violet’s a teenager, Nancy. Independence. Secrets. Drama. That’s practically their brand. On the bright side, she’s confessing now."

"Yeah," Nancy shot back, wiping at her eyes. "Only because she has no choice."

She sighed deeply and went quiet.

After a while, Nancy pulled back and looked Ezra straight in the eyes. "Do you think she’ll be ashamed of me now? Her mother is a Fae Queen and I’m well..." She glanced down at herself and gave a weak shrug. "Nancy."

"I can’t say I know Violet thoroughly." Ezra answered. "You probably know her better than I do. But from the time I’ve spent around your daughter, she doesn’t strike me as the type who looks down on people. Otherwise, the Cardinal Alphas wouldn’t be so enamored with her, mate bond aside."

He paused, his voice turning serious.

"And moreover..." he emphasized with conviction, "you’re not just Nancy. You’re my mate. My wife. The mother of my children. My Luna. You are more precious to me than any gemstone in existence. So forget whatever life you had before. You are extraordinary, Nancy King."

For a moment, Nancy just stared at him, and then, her lips curved slowly to the side.

"Damn," she breathed. "That was sexy as hell."

Ezra’s gaze darkened playfully. "That was nothing. I could sing your praises all day if you’d like."

"Careful," Nancy murmured, leaning closer. "If you keep going, I might combust."

Ezra chuckled. "So while other women fall for dirty talk, you prefer a hymn in your honor?" He grinned. "What a strange woman you are, Nancy."

She smirked. "And yet you choose me."

"And I’d do it again."

It was amazing the way words could lift one’s spirit. Nancy didn’t say anything else and simply kissed him. It was a slow kiss full of gratitude, a smile tugging at her lips even as they moved against his.

Nancy had already given up on being loved like this and now she had him. She would fight for both of them.

They kissed for a while until she finally remembered.

"Wait —" she said, pulling back so abruptly Ezra blinked in confusion.

"What?" he murmured, slightly breathless. Thankfully, there was no talking mirror this time.

Nancy squinted toward the house. "Do you think that mirror thing... or whatever it is... is still on? We could continue the conversation."

"Oh." Ezra scratched the back of his head. "I don’t know. I told them we’d talk later, so I doubt they’re still there. But if they are..." He paused, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "We better hope that thing isn’t like a cell phone."

Nancy frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," he gestured vaguely, "what if it’s been running this whole time? What if it’s racking up credits or something?"

Nancy stared at him for a second before realizing he was joking.

She played along.

"You mean magical credits?"

"Yeah. Magical credits. Mirror minutes. Interdimensional roaming charges. I have no idea how Fae technology works."

Nancy burst out laughing.

"You idiot."

"I’m serious," Ezra insisted dramatically. "Imagine Asher just standing there, arms crossed like—"

He straightened his posture and deepened his voice. "We really do not have time for this."

Nancy snorted.

"Or Griffin not wanting to see old people’s smut."

Ezra widened his eyes theatrically. "Oh, he needs a filter!"

Nancy smacked his chest lightly. "Shut up!"

They both paused.

"We should probably go check," she said.

Ezra grimaced. "Yeah. And walk back into Roman Draven asking us for sex tips."

He winced. "That boy is a menace."

"A lovable menace with no filter," Nancy corrected with a laugh.

"You don’t say."

He stood and extended his hand to her. Nancy smiled and placed her hand in his. He gently pulled her to her feet.

"Let’s go," he said.

Together, they made their way back to their quarters. And just as Nancy had guessed, the mirror thing was still on.

Only this time, Violet was the one reflected in it.

She didn’t even notice them at first. Her head was bowed with her shoulders slightly slumped like a child who knew she had done something wrong.

Nancy stepped closer to the mirror.

"Violet?"

Violet’s head snapped up, her eyes wide.

"Mom?" she breathed.

Then she twisted around and shouted over her shoulder, "Guys, they’re back!"

Violet’s eyes shone almost immediately, glassy with unshed tears.

"I swear I didn’t mean to keep it from you on purpose," she rushed out. "It wasn’t just some random secret. It was dangerous and I needed to be sure first. I needed to know what I was dealing with before I dragged you into it. And then before I even had the chance to tell you the truth, we were taken to the Fae realm and everything just—"

"Violet."

Nancy’s voice was oddly calm.

"It’s alright."

Violet blinked, stunned. "You understand?"

Nancy nodded. "I do."

Relief washed over Violet’s face so fast it was almost painful to witness. Her shoulders dropped, the tension draining from her body.

"But I’m still sorry," Violet insisted, tears finally spilling over. "You deserved to know. I should have trusted you more."

Nancy’s expression gentled.

"It’s okay, my dear. You said it yourself, you were trying to protect us in your own way."

Violet felt relief wash through her. But that was until she remembered.

"Oh shit."

Nancy frowned immediately. "What is it, Violet?"

Violet hesitated. "I don’t think you’d say that again if you knew who my father is."

That caught both of them.

Ezra straightened beside Nancy. They shared a quick look full of confusion, then concern.

"Darling," Nancy began carefully, trying to be calm, "who is your father?"

Violet swallowed. "I’ll tell you. But you have to promise me you won’t freak out."

Nancy let out a short, uneasy laugh. "Why would I freak out? It’s not like your father is some serial killer or something."

Violet grimaced.

"Well... close."

Nancy’s smile vanished.

"Okay. Now you’re scaring me."

There was movement behind Violet as the Cardinal Alphas stepped into view. But Violet didn’t look back, her eyes stayed fixed on Nancy and Ezra.

She drew in a breath.

"Angus is my father."

For a moment, it felt like nothing happened. Or rather, Nancy simply didn’t understand.

"Who is Angus?"

It was Asher who answered this time.

"The former Alpha King. He’s Violet’s father."

And Ezra’s eyes widened like saucers.

"That is not possible," he said at once.

"Oh," Asher replied, "it is very possible."