Sherry’s POV:
I sat on my daughter’s bed as Maggie brushed my hair.
“Where is Damon?” I asked softly.
“In his study. Right after your meal, he asked me to inform you privately that he had something to look at,” she answered as my wolf growled angrily.
She didn’t like that our mate was acting distant with us since Ian and his men were spending the night over.
“And the twins?” I asked.
“They are at the training field as usual,” she answered.
“Good. Now then, did you invite Alpha Ian and Beta Neo to this room?” I asked softly.
“Yes, Luna, I did. Although they both looked surprised, they easily agreed,” she answered.
I was about to say how she had done a good job when I heard a knock.
I wanted to talk to them somewhere privately, that’s why I asked Maggie to be present, and I chose one of the twins’ bedrooms because it was the safest choice, I believed.
“Please come in,” I answered, knowing fully well who they were by their scent.
I heard the door open, then light footsteps approaching.
I didn’t want to use my werewolf vision on them because looking at their faces would only bring back unwanted memories.
“Alpha Ian, you must be wondering why I invited you here together with Beta Neo,” I said.
“Yes, we were wondering why,” he answered calmly.
“The reason is simple,” I responded, then stood up.
“I want to apologize for being such a horrible being back then in your pack. I was so thirsty for power that I did a lot of despicable things,” I said sadly, then continued.
“I also want to take your offer of us becoming allies,” I said honestly.
“And me, why am I here?” Neo asked in a low tone.
“I want to apologize to you, Neo, for almost making you turn against your own brother. It was horrible of me to do. I also want to let you know that your presence is a nuisance to my husband. He might act patient when in truth he hates your very existence. Ian banished me, but you took away my sight. That’s why I would like to suggest you make sure to stay put in your room until tomorrow,” I answered, then cleared my throat.
“Maggie, call her,” I ordered.
“Yes, Luna,” she answered, then I heard her walk out of the room.
Sherry, I know…” Neo cut his sentence short when the sound of an opening door interrupted him.
“I’m here, mother,” Beth said softly.
“Angel, I heard from the twins that you are a brilliant artist when it comes to drawing. Is that true?” I asked.
“Yes,” she answered hesitantly.
“Then please draw Ian a map that leads to his daughter. That way, they won’t waste much time looking for her. I know you can see very well where she is, with or without the witch’s barrier. That’s why you are a very unique seer. No magic can cloud your vision when you are looking into someone’s present or past,” I said seriously.
“Okay, mother,” she answered.
I heard footsteps pass by me and the sound of a drawer opening and closing.
“Sherry….” Ian whispered, then trailed off.
“What is it, Alpha Ian?” I asked simply.
“Why are you willing to help us this much, even though we did all that to you?” He asked.
“Because I’m a parent who understands what you are going through. I also want to show you how sorry I am for hurting both of you. I understand and know that Nana must be very sad and worried at this moment,” I answered.
“That woman was always so kind to me, even when I lied to her. She took me as her child and loved me as I was. No matter what, she is like a mother to me, and I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to her or make her sad,” I said honestly as the room went quiet for a few minutes.
“If it’s okay with you, can we give you her personal number? We’ve changed a lot of things over time,” He said as I smiled happily.
“I would love that,” I answered softly.
“She will be so happy to hear your voice,” he said as I chuckled cheerfully.
“So besides you, Ian, who else became parents?” I asked reluctantly.
“Me, Blade, Felix, and the twins are expecting,” Neo answered as I smiled widely.
Never did I think about having pups when I served him and Ian. To me, all that mattered was staying in my position and gaining more power. I couldn’t understand the true definition of love until I met Damon.
Right after mating with him, I began to want a family of our own, and luckily, he felt the same way. To us, children were a blessing and something we were looking forward to. So when I became pregnant, we were beyond joyous, and I couldn’t stop crying.
That day, I appreciated my very existence, and when the twins were born, I knew then and there that I would go back in time and still repeat my mistakes if they would lead me to being their mother.
“Damon…” I whispered as tears began to fill my eyes.
“He is my reason to live and breathe. After that banishment, I suffered a lot,” I said in a cracked voice as the cloth covering my eyes began to soak.
“I wanted nothing besides death, but I was too cowardly to go through with it and wished day and night for someone who could grant me that. When all hope was lost, I came across this pack, and guess what? The moon goddess was kind enough to grant me a second chance mate. A mate who had gone through hell and was betrayed too by his first mate,” I said, then continued.
“Although I wanted to die by his hand, he couldn’t do it. He couldn’t kill nor reject me despite his past pain, scars, regrets, and fear. He wanted me even though he got to know about my past. He never abandoned me, and because of that, I loved him with my very being and submitted my life to him. Through our bond and love, our beautiful twins were conceived, and I would willingly go through everything again just to have them and Damon in my life,” I said honestly.
“Sherry…”
“I have finished drawing the map, mother,” Beth reported, cutting Ian off.
“Hand it over to them,” I instructed, then frowned when I picked up Damon’s scent.
“Honey, are you outside the room?” I asked through our mind link.
“I just… I just wanted to check up on you,” he answered in a hoarse voice.
I quickly moved my hand to my face and pulled out the cloth covering my eyes. For the first time in a long time, I could see Ian and Neo. Although they looked like they did years back, their hair was mixed with a few strands of grey.
“Tomorrow, have a safe journey,” I whispered, and then quickly walked out of the room.
I found Damon leaning against the wall near the door, with his back towards me. I slowly moved closer and pressed my hand against his back.
“Did you perhaps hear our talk?” I asked, concerned.
“Yes, I heard your words, and they made my heart flutter,” he whispered, then turned and faced me. He had a sad expression on his face, and in his eyes, I could see warmth.
“Sherry, I know I have said this a thousand times, but allow me to please say it again. I love you so much, and I would willingly go through the pain I went through with my first mate just so I could be your mate and the father of twins,” he said seriously.
Without a thought, I tiptoed and kissed him as he kissed me back. Even when the door opened, I couldn’t pull back.
“Excuse me,” Ian said, making Damon pull back.
“What is it?” Damon asked simply.
“I want to thank you very much, both of you, for being kind,” he answered.
“You are welcome,” Damon whispered with a smile, then swept me off of my feet, lifting me up in a bridal style.
“You should all go and rest. Tomorrow, you have to be on your way. As for me, I want to spend some intimate time with my mate,” he said proudly, then walked away as I covered my face in embarrassment.