Chapter 198
Kai POV
“Mom, that’s just speculation. No one really cares about these things nowadays, please believe me p>
But she wasn’t hearing a word I was saying. Instead she continued p>
“They probably think there’s something wrong with our bloodline,” she continued dramatically. “That we’re somehow defective or cursed—which, ironically, isn’t entirely inaccurate in your case p>
“Mother, please p>
“I’ve given up hope of becoming a grandmother before I’m too old to enjoy it,” she declared with the air of someone who had sacrificed everything for ungrateful children. “At this rate, I’ll be in my grave before I ever get to hold a grandchild, and our family line will die out because my children are too stubborn or too damaged to fulfill their biological duties p>
“Mom, c’mon p>
“I blame myself she dabbed at the corner of her eyes. “Maybe if I hadn’t been so strict with Celeste and ask her to stay away from boys and you too. I fear I may have instilled too much discipline to both of you and that had made you both wary of lovemaking. A lot of people your age, have more bastards than they do children p>
The guilt-tripping was working. Despite knowing exactly that was what she was doing, I felt my resistance crumbling under the combination of guilt, sympathy, and sheer exhaustion from her nagging.
“Fine,” I said, raising my hands in surrender as Odin finished collecting his blood samples. “Fine. I’ll take someone to the gala if it’s that important to you p>
Her face brightened with a smile, even though she tried to maintain the sad expression. “Really? You’ll consider Alpha Richardson’s daughter p>
“I didn’t say that,” I clarified quickly. “I said I’d take someone. But there’s one condition p>
“What condition p>
“You have to tell Lily about it,” I said firmly. “I won’t have her hearing about this from someone else and misunderstanding the situation. If you want me to play this political game, then you need to make sure my mate knows it’s purely for show p>
My mother’s expression shifted to a frown. “Kai, the whole point is to create distance between you and p>
“Those are my terms,” I interrupted. “Take them or leave them. Either you explain the situation to Lily yourself, or I don’t participate in your matchmaking schemes at all p>
She studied my face, clearly weighing her options. The gala was important for pack relations, and having the Alpha appear without an appropriate companion would raise questions she probably didn’t want to answer.
“Very well,” she agreed reluctantly. “I’ll speak with her. But I want your word that this is just for the gala. No secret meetings, no private conversations, no testing the limits of the curse p>
“You have my word,” I promised,
Healer Odin, who had been quietly organizing his medical supplies during our family drama, looked up with a concerned expression. “If I may,” he interjected carefully, “forcing separation between mates, even temporarily, can sometimes have unintended consequences for curse management p>
My mother turned to him. “What kind of consequences p>
“The Moon Goddess’s power that create mate bonds are… resilient,” Odin explained diplomatically. “Suppressing them artificially can sometimes cause them to manifest more strongly when the slightest of contact happens p>
“Are you saying that keeping them apart might make the curse worse?” I asked, seizing on any argument that might support reunion with Lily.
“I’m saying that we should exercise wisdom in everything,” Odin replied carefully. “Complete separation might not be the most effective long-term strategy p>
My mother looked between us with suspicion. I could tell she was already saying in her head that I made Healer Odin to say this. “And what would you suggest instead p>
“Controlled exposure,” Odin said. “Brief, supervised interactions that allow the mate bond to remain stable while limiting opportunities for curse manifestation p>
It was exactly what I wanted to hear, though I tried to keep my expression neutral to avoid appearing too eager.
“Absolutely not,” my mother said immediately. “The last ’controlled exposure’ nearly resulted in tragedy p>
“Because it was unsupervised and emotionally charged,” Odin pointed out. “With proper precautions and monitoring p>
“No,” my mother said firmly. “I won’t risk it. The current arrangement stays in place until we find a way to break the curse entirely p>
As she gathered her things and prepared to leave, I felt the familiar weight of frustration and hopelessness settling over me. Even Odin’s medical expertise wasn’t enough to overcome my mother’s protective instincts.
“I’ll arrange for Alpha Richardson’s daughter to visit next week,” my mother said as she reached the door. “Her name is Isabella, and she’s an intelligent young woman. I’m sure you’ll enjoy being with her p>
“Mother!” I sighed rising to my feet. “That’s cheating. I won’t cheat on Lily. I don’t need to see this Isabella before the gala. Please… don’t make me to things I don’t want to. Please p>
She ignored me, motioning to Healer Odin for them to leave.
At the door, she turned and faced me. “When you become a father, you’d understand the hard choices we often have to make when it comes to our children. Kai, I need you to prepare yourself for the worst. If there’s ever any situation where I have to choose, then I’ll choose you. You can recover from a mate’s breakup but if you die p>
Tears welled in her eyes. “I can’t bear it. So I will do everything within my power to ensure You’re safe even if it means separating you from your mate forever p>
“Mom, please p>
“Look at me,” she sniffed, managing a smile through her tears. “It’s been years since I lost your father and I’m still here. You’ll be fine, eventually p>
“Mom, please p>
She opened the door and left.
After she left with Odin, I slumped back against the couch, trying to breathe. This was bad.
I felt like I was losing control and this just made it worse. The thought of being with another woman while my true mate was within my reach worried me.
But at least Lily would know the truth about the arrangement. That small comfort would have to be enough to sustain me through whatever my mother had planned.