Chapter 14

Abby

A s soon as I step into Zed's room, I'm pushed against the wall. His lips crash into mine, and I moan as he parts my lips, spearing my mouth with his tongue.

My head becomes dizzy, my belly warm. He grabs me by the thighs, lifting me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist. He grinds his thick erection against my pussy, and I'm seconds away from begging him to fuck me.

"Alright, that's enough, big guy. Let her breathe," Frankie chastises.

Zed rips his lips from mine, his head snapping to the side with a snarl. "Mine," he growls. Frankie just rolls her eyes.

"Yeah, we know."

"Zed," I pant, grabbing his jaw and turning his head towards me. "Be nice."

He narrows his eyes. "I want to fuck you."

"Ahh..." Libby says, making me laugh.

"Not right now. We have to go see our parents."

"But I don't want to. I'd much rather be inside of you," he grumbles.

"I'm gonna wait outside in the hall," Libby squeaks.

"Wanna bet caveman here says something inappropriate in front of our parents?" Frankie laughs.

"That's an easy bet to win." I smile over at her. I'm starting to get used to Zed's unfiltered mouth and bluntness. It's sometimes funny, sometimes cute, and other times... yeah.

"So, wanna put her down so we can go?" Frankie asks Zed.

"No." Zed holds me to his chest. I laugh, smiling over at her as I wrap my arms around his neck.

I give him a big squeeze, then pull back to look at him. "Put me down, please."

He sighs heavily, but does as I ask, placing me on my feet. "Can I be inside you later?"

Biting my lips together, I try not to laugh. "Yes."

He grunts, then nods. "Fine. Let's go."

Grabbing my hand, he laces his fingers with mine. I smile up at him as we walk down the hallway. I can't help it. I feel like a giddy school girl with her first crush. Having him back, after everything I've been through to make it happen still seems unreal.

As we walk through the castle towards my father's wing, I keep catching Libby staring at Zed.

"You okay?" I ask her.

Her eyes flick over to mine. "Yeah. I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

I look up at Zed, then back to her with a raised brow. "You sure?"

She sighs. "It's just going to take some getting used to."

"I know." I give her a sympathetic smile.

"Libby," Zed cuts in, getting both of our attentions.

"Yes?"

"Later, could you tell me about who I used to be?"

Libby's face brightens. "Yeah. I'd love that. Trust me, I have a lot of stories of the stupid things you used to do."

Zed nods. "I want to hear them all."

Libby smiles at me before looking away. I lean my head against his arm the rest of the way.

"Is everyone in there?" I ask, feeling nervous about seeing my mom.

"Yup. I made sure of it. That way we can get this all done in one go," Frankie says. "Ready?"

"Are you?" I ask Zed.

"Why wouldn't I be?" He blinks down at me.

"I guess we're good," I tell her.

Frankie opens the door and heads into the room first, followed by Libby.

Megan is standing there in the middle of the room, her eyes filled with tears, excitement clear on her face. "Zed!" she almost sobs. "My baby boy."

"I'm not a baby," Zed says to me.

"No." I laugh. "You're not."

I've made sure to have Frankie let the others know about the changes in Zed. But I'm not sure how they will react until they see him for themselves.

"Hello," Zed greets, stopping in front of his mom. My dad stands right behind her, eyes locked on Zed, ready to step in if needed. Can he not see that he was wrong? That Zed is nothing like the monsters he talked about.

We're still not really speaking. I am pissed off that he wouldn't help when he could have. But there was a chance he was right, and if he had brought back Zed, he might be a lot worse than he is now.

"Hi," Megan whispers, her whole body shaking with nerves and excitement. I know it has to be overwhelming for her. Dad rubs his hands up and down her arms like he's trying to warm her up, or maybe giving her a comforting touch. But knowing Dad, there's a bit of a possessiveness to it.

"Zed. This is Megan, your mom," I introduce them.

"Can I hug you?" she asks with hope-filled eyes.

Zed looks down at me, and I smile, giving him a nod. Zed wraps his mom up in a hug and Megan starts to cry, clinging to her son.

My own eyes mist, and I take a step back, giving them some time. Libby is standing next to her mom while my dad is giving Megan some space. Looking around the room, I see Frankie talking to her dad.

Then I find my mom, sitting in the corner of the room all by herself. My eyes meet hers, and I see her chewing on her lip.

Everything I know about her and Michael comes to mind. She was a victim for the most part, just like Isaac. It still doesn't make up for the fact she abandoned me and left my dad to raise me on his own.

"How are you holding up with all of this?" I ask my dad who comes to stand in front of me, blocking my view of my mom.

He frowns. "My life has become one big joke," he growls. "I want her gone, Abby. I want her far away from here. But Megan won't let me," he huffs, crossing his arms.

"She's really Megan's mate?" I still find that so damn bizarre.

"Unfortunately." Dad glares.

"I'm gonna guess you're not happy about it at all?" My eyes flick over to find my mom watching us, nervously chewing on the side of her thumb.

"No. Why would I be happy about the fact that my mate—my amazing, sweet kind loving, way too fucking good for me mate—is also mated to my ex? The ex who left me for some sack of shit Archangel who turned out to be worse than me! And I'm the fucking Devil. Pure Bloods act like they're so much better than us, when in reality they've been following a fucking cult leader."

"God, or Michael?"

"Michael. I'm not a big fan of God, but he's not half as bad as that fucked up monster. I mean, come on, we literally kill his kind."

"Archangels?" I ask, a little confused.

"Abby." He glares at me. "No, worthless scum who beat their wives and kids."

Ah. "You know he would beat Mom, right?"

I see it, the twitch in his eye. He doesn't want to be upset about it, but he is. "No. I was not aware. She won't tell me shit."

"It's not my place," I tell him. "But there's a lot I know about her now and well, I've had a lot of time to think over the past few weeks. Mom may have made some pretty shitty choices in her past, but she also didn't have an easy life. I think you should sit down with her and have a talk. Especially if she's going to be in your life again."

"I wouldn't count on it. She will probably leave Megan too, when she thinks she's found someone better. And I mean think! Because there is no one better than Megan."

He's so madly in love, it's adorable.

"So, Frankie's dad is also Megan's mate?" I grin.

"I swear, I'll be keeping this woman in a bubble so no one else can touch her," he growls.

"Maybe she will be like me and end up with six mates." I wiggle my eyebrows, loving that I'm pissing him off. Damn it, I missed him. I hate being mad at him.

"You watch your mouth, young lady," he growls, making me laugh.

"Dad." My chest gets clogged with emotions. "I'm sorry."

He blinks at me a few times. "For what?"

"For... everything? I don't know. I'm sorry for not understanding that you were just trying to protect me from both being disappointed if I didn't find Zed, but also if you brought Zed back, and he ended up like the monsters you have locked up down there. It's all so confusing, I know." I laugh when he raises a brow. "You know more about your kingdom than I do. I'm sorry for worrying you by risking my life to get Zed, but I'm not sorry for doing it because I found him." I smile. "I'm choosing to believe that you were right about me being the one to bring him back if he was to have any chance at being his old self."

"But he's not," he states.

"No. He's not. Yet. We still have hope. But even if we never get the old Zed back, I know he's in there somewhere. And this Zed." I look over to Zed who's still talking to his mom. She's smiling big while Libby is laughing. "He's not too bad."

"He really isn't something I should be worried about?" Dad frowns.

"No. He's a little... blunt, still confused on how some things work and his speech is... different." I laugh. "But I don't think we have to worry about him hurting people.

I'm choosing to leave out the fact that he keeps asking if he can kill people. Well, my mates specifically. Because I don't think he actually wants to. I hope.

He also doesn't need to know about our little trip to the torture chamber.

"Abby," Zed calls out, grabbing my attention. "I have informed my mother that I will kill anyone who hurts her as I promised the same to Libby."

"Oh." I nod my head, and I can hear Frankie snort. "That's nice of you."

Zed nods, and Megan is fucking beaming up at her son. I don't think she cares that he's not the same. Something about the love for your child, you will continue to love them no matter what.

"You sure about that killing thing?" Dad asks. "Not that I can disagree with him. But I'd kill anyone who even thinks of hurting Megan before he can even try."

"Dad," I sigh.

His face softens. "Can I have a hug? I've missed you, sweetheart. And I'm really fucking happy that things didn't turn out how I was expecting."

"Me too, Dad." I step into his arms and sigh happily. "I missed you too."

"Abby." Megan joins us. "Can I speak to you for a moment?"

"Of course."

Megan grabs my arm and gently brings me to the other side of the room. She turns to me with tear-filled eyes and a smile so wide. "First, I want to thank you so much for bringing my boy back," her voice cracks. "I know it's not fully him, but it's him. Does that make sense?"

"It does." I smile, my own eyes tearing up.

She cups my face and leans in to kiss my forehead. "I'm so proud to have you as my son's mate. My daughter. You are perfect for him. The love you feel for him, the distance you're willing to go to fight for him, it's just so beautiful."

"Thank you." I give her a watery smile. "I love him. I'll always fight for him. He's worth it. And I know he would do the same for me."

"He would. Even this version of him loves you so much. I can see it in the way he keeps looking over to make sure you're okay."

My eyes glance over to where Zed is, finding him doing exactly what Megan just told me. He's watching me, and I smile, giving him a wink. He tilts his head to the side, giving me a slow smile before winking back. Ugh, this man can still make me swoon.

Megan laughs. "This is everything I've ever wanted for my kids."

"I'm glad I can be the mate he needs."

"And the second thing I wanted to talk to you about." Her cheeks turn a deep pink. "Your mother."

"Ah, yes, her." I nod, swallowing hard. "Guess fate bit you really hard on the ass with that one."

She sighs. "While being mated to Veronica was not something I'd ever expect, I am not unhappy about it. I've come to get to know your mother, and she's not a bad person. She's been hurt by the same man who hurt me." Megan's eyes fill with tears for a whole new reason. "That man was evil, Abby. And I thank you for ridding the world of him. He will be missed by no one. I just hate that he caused a lot of damage before he left. Your mom isn't a bad person, Abby, she made some bad choices, that's all."

"I know." I nod. "I do. And I've thought about it a lot. Let her know that I'll talk to her soon, okay? I just... I can't right now."

"That's okay." She holds my hand. "She understands. She's worried about you and just wants you to be safe and happy."

"I am." My eyes glance over to my mom. She's talking to Frankie now. Huh.

"You're not upset or weirded out by this?" Megan asks, getting my attention again.

"Oh, it's weird alright." I laugh. "But you can't fight fate. I just hope she doesn't do what he did." Meaning leave her fated mate like Michael left Megan.

"I don't think she will." Megan smiles. "I don't think I'd let her." She laughs.

"Are you happy? Because girl, your mates are getting almost as complicated as mine. You might not have any stepbrothers in your harem, but you have your son's mate's father and her mother, as well as the father of your son's best friend."

Megan laughs, covering her mouth. "Oh boy. Well, yes, I guess it is all very confusing, but I'm not blood related to any of them, so that's what really matters, right?"

We both burst into laughter as we hug. I love Megan. She's sweet, kind and loving. She's perfect for my dad and might just be what my mom needs to become a better person. I haven't really had the chance to get to know Frankie's dad—outside his work for my dad—but by the way he's smiling at Megan as he watches her, leaning against the wall on the other side of the room, I think she's good for him too.

"Dad," Frankie says, dragging me over to him. "You remember Abby. My mate."

"Pleasure to see you again, Abby. My daughter has been obsessed with you for years. I'm glad she finally made it official." He grins.

"Dad!" Frankie hisses.

"What? Am I wrong?"

"Well, no." Frankie grins too. "But don't be spilling all my secrets."

"Oh, so you have secrets?" I ask her.

She gives me a playful glare. "Don't you even start, Princess."

For the next hour, we all mix and mingle and by the time we leave, I know deep in my soul that no matter what happens, everything will be okay.

It might not be perfect, but nothing ever is, is it?