Celeste’s POV

*****

Beach House dining room, 9: 00 PM

"But mom...?" I stopped my mother at a point in our conversation, brows furrowed.

She sat beside me, arms on the table and head angled to face me. Her eyes arched with curiosity when I suddenly called her attention. "Yes, sweetheart? Do you have questions?"

Was that even necessary to ask?

We’ve been talking for minutes yet I still feel like I’m walking in circles mentally. So many things still confuse me. For example—

"Yes. About the Vein." I adjusted my sitting posture. "A well of chaotic magic just sitting here. In this continent of all places," my pause made her blink. "How did it show up to begin with? Has it always been there?"

My mother’s lips curved into a wry smile. "Smart question, dear. One that I wish I had the answer to." She sighed. "The Vein’s origins are as mysterious as its chaotic depths. Many theories exist on how it first appeared underneath the continent. Some say it’s the leftover energy of a dead god. Others say it’s the accumulation of magic from aeons of dead witches."

Hearing that made me rub my forehead.

Yep.

Back to square one as always.

"But Celeste," she grabbed my hand, forcing me to raise my head again. Staring into her violet orbs that mirrored mine. "You don’t need to worry yourself with such deep questions. Not yet. What you must work on is controlling your connection to the Vein."

I scoffed. "And here I thought I was finally getting control of my increasing magic."

That earned a chuckle from her for some reason. I frowned, soon getting an explanation.

"More and more you remind me of my younger self." She shook her head. "I was this same way about gaining control of my magic when it first awakened. I’d been powerless for so long that the sudden appearance of that power made me feel..."

Her pause made me blurt out. "Alive." We ended up saying that in unison as a knowing smile stretched her mouth.

I giggled. "Maybe we do share similarities."

"Duh." She nudged me gently on my shoulder. "You’re your mother’s daughter. Although—there are a few ways where we’re vastly different."

"You don’t say..." I grinned despite myself. "And what are those differences?"

She withdrew her hand slowly from mine, rubbing her palms. A mischievous light gleamed in her eyes. "Well," she began. "For starters, I wasn’t so popular with men. Let alone handling four of them."

If I had a drink in my mouth it would’ve definitely come splashing out the second she said that.

My jaw dropped, eyes darting around the dining room even though we were alone. "Really mom? You’re bringing that up now?"

"What?" She shrugged. "Naturally, as your mother, I’m concerned. And honestly intrigued." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Are they comfortable with that dynamic? Of... of sharing you?"

Gods have mercy—was this happening right now?!

"Yes, mom," I said through gritted teeth. "They’re very comfortable. We all are. Now can we please talk about other important things? Like the fucking Vein?"

"Hey." She pointed a warning finger. "Careful now. No cursing around your mother."

I’d do more than curse if she embarrassed me further.

"Where were we?" A finger twirled a strand of her lush hair as she took a sip from a wine glass. She avoided eye contact, seeming like she was cooking something diabolical in that curious head of hers.

I was right.

"I could barely handle your father," She dropped that sentence so seamlessly that I was left astonished. "And trust me... the man was a handful. Quite literally too."

"Mom!" I yelled in horror at the implication of that last sentence. "Can you stop?"

"Who was a handful?" My father’s baritone vibrating into the dining room made me sink into my seat. A defeated sigh broke past my lips.

Soon enough, the Alpha King appeared within our line of sight with a broad smile. His eyes scoured past me for a heartbeat before settling on my mom.

"Why, you of course." Mom shot back. "You and the way you complicated everything."

"Oh... We’re going there, eh?" He walked up to her, quickly placing a hand on her shoulder. "If memory serves me well, you also were a handful."

"You expected me to fold under pressure?"

"And that..." he leaned down, mouth brushing against her ear. At this point, I felt like evaporating the fuck out of here, "is why I grew more fascinated by you. Even if we hated each other’s guts at first you always stood your ground."

The tension in the air wasn’t suffocating.

On the contrary, it was electric with something I couldn’t name. And I sure as heck wanted it to stay nameless.

"Uhm." I cleared my throat, getting on my feet. "You kids have fun. I think I should go get some sleep now."

Both my parents whipped their heads to me. "Are you sure you’ll be okay?" My mother asked. "You know what to do if anything happens tonight, right?"

I nodded. "Yep. I’ll come straight to you. You two are using the guest room, yeah?"

When she gave a nod in return I swallowed.

The guest bedroom was where the boys and I sinned gravely last night. It had the best view of the beach so it really wasn’t our fault.

Hopefully, the new sheets and air freshener were enough to wipe any trace of last night.

I did NOT need more of mom’s awkward questions.

"Good night, Mom. Good night, Dad." I waved, turning toward the arched entrance leading to the stairs.

"Celeste?" My father called, voice oddly soft. "I just wanted to say Luther is... a good man. From the little I’ve seen of him."

I glanced over my shoulder, taking in his reassuring smile. "Despite what happened between you two. I do hope your other mates are even better."

I smiled so hard my face felt sore.

Alpha King Kaelos... complimenting a man I dated?

"Thanks, Dad." I ran back to them before I could stop myself, falling into their waiting embrace. "You two have no idea how much this visit means to me."

"Oh, we do." My mother lulled. "And that’s why we’re here. And why we promise to always be with you every step of the way. You’re not alone in any of this."

Tears threatened to spill out of my eyes but I sniffed them back with a shuddering inhale.

We stayed like that for what felt like years.

All the years lost on being neglected. On being set aside and pitied rather than praised. It all burned down to this moment—and felt like what it truly was.

The past.

And I was beyond grateful that my parents were finally seeing their shortcomings. And are ready to step up. Even if gradually.