Butterscotch Souls: The Morningstar Series: Book 4
Butterscotch Souls – Chapter 17

When Lydia started to question her son about why he didn’t bring Tate and me over right away I felt a bit bad. Ambrose was in no way about to tell her everything that happened between us.

So, I took pity on him. If these people were to help my son and me then they needed to know the truth.

Amory had joined the boys in the other room so I took the opportunity to explain my situation to them in private. Ambrose drew random patterns on my thigh as I spoke and it was honestly comforting. I know I wouldn’t be here in the first place if it weren’t for Ambrose, but I wasn’t sure if I would be able to do this without him by my side. It was hard to talk about something that everyone seemed to pity.

To me I didn’t see it that way. It was just my life, all I had ever known. The only thing I felt deserved pity was me leaving the pack.

“Wait, did you say Kiah was the Alpha of these rouges?” Lydia asked me.

I nodded. “Yeah.” I answered.

Lydia and Kasyn shared a look before turning back to me.

“Do they know you’re here?” She asked me.

I shook my head.

“I haven’t seen or spoken to them since I left.” I said sadly.

“Why? Who is Kiah to you guys?” Ambrose asked them.

Lydia took a deep breath before answering.

“Well, Kiah and your uncle Liam don’t have the best relationship.. He blames Liam for the downfall of his pack. Kiah hates the Anderson’s.” She answered.

“Why does he blame Uncle Liam?” Ambrose asked.

“Well, Liam was friends with the man who challenged Kiah for his pack. Liam didn’t know at the time but this friend stole some of his b***d and turned himself into a Hybrid before challenging Kiah. Liam didn’t find out until much later, I mean like three years ago later.” Lydia said.

“Wait, what?” I asked.

“He cheated. That’s punishable by death.” Ambrose said.

Lydia nodded.

“Perhaps you should talk with Ryce about it when they get here.” Lydia said.

“Oh, so they are coming. Great.” Ambrose said. “You’ll love Relly, she is the sweetest of us all.” He told me.

“I thought you were the sweetest.” I said as I turned my head to look at him.

Ambrose smiled.

“Only to you and Tate.” He said and that swarm of butterflies came back.

“So,” Kasyn said clearing his throat. “Gods are after you huh?” He asked me.

I nodded.

“Yeah. I totally understand if you guys don’t want to be caught up in this mess. Tate and I can leave if-” Ambrose death grip on my h**s wasn’t the only thing that had stopped me from talking.

The growl that erupted from the chest behind me had the hair on the back of my neck standing up and a chill running down my spine. It didn’t help that Kasyn was giving me a cold look that probably could have frozen Hell over.

I gulped, what did I say wrong?

“Honey relax.” Lydia said as she placed her hand on Kasyn’s chest.

“You are not leaving.” Ambrose growled out from behind me.

I turned in his lap to face him. Ambrose’s eyes were glowing orange and black viens were crawling up his face. Just like with Tate. And just like with Tate, I didn’t feel fear like I should.

“I don’t want to leave you, but I won’t put people in danger if they aren’t willing.” I said sternly, ready to hold my ground.

“I already told you that they would protect you both.” Ambrose said angrily.

“Yeah, you told me. You can’t speak for them.” I said starting to get angry myself.

Ambrose’s hold tightened even more and I tried not to wince as I held his glare. I have never been one to back down. Run for my life maybe, but when it came face to face, I would hold my own.

“Ambrose stop it.” Lydia said using her ‘mom voice’. “Now!” She shouted and suddenly Ambrose’s hold loosened.

He shook his head and his face returned back to normal. Then, he lifted me out of his lap and set me back down in the chair next to him. I frowned as he stood up and started to walk out of the room.

“Where are you going?” I asked still prepared for a fight.

It’s not fair he gets to just walk away. I’m not done yet.

Ambrose froze. His hands balled into fists at his sides. He took a deep breath and turned to face me.

“I’m going to check on our son.” He stated and then walked out of the room.

I folded my arms over my chest and turned back to my in laws.

“I don’t understand what just happened.” I stated honestly. “But I know that I’m pissed.”

Kasyn sputtered out laughter and then stood up.

“I’ll go talk to him.” He told us and then kissed his mate on the top of her head before leaving.

My mate didn’t k**s me before leaving the room. For some reason that made me even more angry. I narrowed my eyes at the direction Ambrose had diappeared in. A*****e.

“Don’t worry too much about it Epperly.” Lydia told me. “He’ll get over it.” She said.

“Get over what though? I don’t understand what just happened.” I repeated.

Lydia chuckled.

“You offered to leave your mate honey.” She told me.

“No, I just said that..” I trailed off as I realized that I did in fact do that.

“I didn’t mean it that way. I…”

What did I mean? I would leave if they didn’t want me here but did I really mean I would leave Ambrose too? I mean, what did I expect? For him to come with me? Maybe…

“Honey, it’s alright. You are still so new to all of this and Ambrose knows that. It’s just… hard for him. He went through a lot over the last five years without you.” She told me.

“I just don’t want to be a burden to your family.” I admitted.

Lydia came around the table and pulled me into a hug. She has the motherly feel that I craved so much my whole life. Not that I would ever admit that out loud.

“Epperly you are not a burden to any of us. Trust me. We’ve been through worse than taking on a few Gods. Besides that I doubt that any of them will come after you once you’re marked.” She told me.

I pulled out of her hug.

“Why do you seem so sure about that?” I asked.

Lydia smiled.

“Even Gods hold the mate bond above all else. Of course for them, they usually are the ones creating it. But still. And not only that but they would be starting a war with our family. That is something that not even the Gods take lightly. If any of them came for you or Tate after they find out you belong to Ambrose…” She blew out a breath. “I feel sorry for their families that’s for sure.”

I stared at her for a moment as she sipped her coffee.

“You all are that sure that you can protect us?” I asked seriously.

“Yes.” She stated while holding my serious gaze.

“How?” I asked in amazement.

Lydia held my gaze and gave me a wicked smile.

“Because, we can kill them.” She stated.

Holy crap.. Is she.. No way.. She can’t be serious.. Can she?

“Hey Mom is dinner almost done?” Came a male voice I hadn’t heard before.

I turned in my chair to see a boy walk in who looks even more like Kasyn than Ambrose does, but with a smaller build.

“Oh, who are you?” He asked me with a smile.

“This is Epperly.” Lydia told him.

The boy came over and slid in the chair next to me.

“Epperly… That’s a cute name for a cute girl.” He told me with a dazzeling smile.

I raised a brow at him. Is this kid flirting with me? I’m like 6 years older than him.

“Flirt with her all you want but she is Ambrose’s mate.” Lydia told him.

The boy’s face fell.

“Oh, that Epperly.” He said with a roll of his eyes. “So, what’s it like being mated to the biggest dude in history? He big everywhere?” The boy asked me as he wiggled his eyebrows.

I just blinked at him since I wasn’t sure what that meant. All you have to do is look at Ambrose to see he’s huge everywhere. Kind of a dumb question.

“Alessio!” Lydia scolded him.

“What?” He asked innocently.

“Ah, now it makes sense.” I said as I recalled what Ambrose had told me about this brother and Alessio’s love to push buttons.

“Huh?” He asked me with a confused look.

“Less, please start taking this into the dinning room. The rest of the family will be here soon.” Lydia ordered her son.

“Epperly, why don’t you go grab the boys and tell them dinner is ready. It’ll take them a while to wander over.” She said with a small laugh.

“Sure thing.” I told her as I stood up.

I walked in the direction that I watched Ambrose stomp off at until I came to a small game room with the door open. Ambrose is sitting on the floor with Tate in his lap playing video games. Kasyn was the first to notice me.

“Dinner is ready guys, lets go.” He announced for me.

The boys all jumped up and took off out of the room. Tate was the first to book it out of there, not surprisingly. Kasyn walked out after them and gave me a warm smile on his way past me.

Then it was just Ambrose and I. Ambrose looked past me and then tried to walk out the door but I stepped in his way.

“I make one wrong comment and you think you can ignore me.” I stated angrily.

Ambrose shook his head and opened his mouth but I stopped him from speaking.

“Shut up.” I said before he could say anything.

“I didn’t realize what I said would affect you this way and I’m sorry about that Ambrose. But you need to see things my way. You and your wolf.” I stated sternly.

“I didn’t mean that I would leave you when I said Tate and I could leave.” I admitted and Ambrose looked at me.

“I’m not sure what I really meant but the thought of being separated from you didn’t cross my mind. After it did..” I trailed off as I looked away.

“I don’t know. I didn’t like the thought. But I’m not sure what I expected. Ambrose you have to understand that I have been on the run for a very long time. I’ve never had a life. I never thought that I would actually meet my mate. And after Tate.. Running got harder. I don’t want to do it anymore. My son deserves better than that life. But I will not let people fight for me if they do not want to. I will not have that b***d on my hands.” I finished.

I was very proud of myself that I managed to keep my voice stern the entire time. Granted I was a bit pissed off when I first started my rant. Hopefully this little speech had Ambrose less angry at me though. If it didn’t I wasn’t sure what would happen. I’ve never been in a relationship with anyone before, and I barely know if that’s even what we are.

This is so complicated.

Looking up I found Ambrose staring down at me. He is right in front of me but he feels so far away. I’m not sure what the look in his eyes means but I’m not holding out hope. My life is a giant s**t storm and I wouldn’t blame anyone for not wanting to be a part of it.

I was just about to step out of his way and give up, but then he reached out and pulled me into his arms. At first I was too surprised to react, but it didn’t take me long to wrap my arms around his middle and bury my head in his chest.

“I’m really sorry for how I reacted. I shouldn’t have gotten so angry so qucikly.” He said softly and then burried his face into my hair.

“Epperly I would die if you left me again, and I would not come back. I can’t go on without you and I definitely cannot lose the son I just found out I have.” He sounds so sad.

Here I was scolding him for not seeing things my way when I wasn’t doing the same for him. I know enough about werewolves to know how possessive they are with their mates, how protective. And I still said what I said.

“I’m sorry that I didn’t think before I spoke. I’m not used to having to think of anyone other than Tate and myself.” I said.

“I know baby. It’s going to take you time to lean on me and the rest of our family.” He said.

I pulled away to look into his eyes. He still looks sad. My heart panged at the look they held.

“Do you really think that I could leave you?” I asked him.

The words had left my mouth before I realized what I was asking. Just yesterday I was plotting how to escape if I ever needed to. Not that that lasted long. But to answer my own question: no, I don’t think I could ever leave Ambrose now. It’s only been one day but he has offered Tate and I the life we always wanted. We would be safe here.

For the first time in my life I would be safe, my son would be safe. I thought this would never happen for me and I that I had made peace with that years before Tate was born. Was I wrong?

Now that it’s right here in my grasp… I don’t want to lose it.

“Hey hey.” Ambrose whispered as he began to wipe my tears away.

I didn’t even know I had started crying.

“Don’t cry. Please. I hate seeing you sad. I’m sorry that I stormed off and got mad.” He said softly as he continued to wipe my eyes.

Why can’t I stop crying?

“To be honest with you Epperly, yes I do think that you would leave me again. I think that if you got too scared or thought that I was going to get hurt you would leave. I don’t want a life that doesn’t have you in it.” He told me.

“You have no idea what you are doing for us here Ambrose.” I whispered. “I could never leave you, you’re… home.” I said as the realization hit me.

That’s what he is. He is my home. No matter where we are, he is what I would run to. What Tate and I would always run to. Ambrose is giving me back all that I lost over my entire life.

“I never thought I would have a home again, or be safe ever again. You and your family are trying to give that all to me and to Tate. And none of you even know us.” I blubbered.

“You’re my mate, we don’t need to know more than that. You are family and Tate is my son, my b***d. The two of you are everything to me and that is something the rest of my family understands. Epperly, fighting with Gods for you is not the worst that we have ever done. Maybe the hardest but trust me, my family has been through their fair share of personal torture. Doing this for you, for Tate, is nothing to us. We will always protect you.” He said.

I sniffled and nodded my head.

“I’m starting to see that.” I said as my tears finally stopped coming. “But I am still going to offer the same thing to the rest of your family so this,” I said pointing a finger between the two of us. “Is not going to happen again. I don’t like fighting with you but I will.” I said as I narrowed my eyes at him.

Ambrose chuckled and wrapped his arms back around my waist.

“Got it, don’t piss off the momma bear.” He said and then rested his forehead to mine.

I reached up and pushed my fingers into his hair, loosening his bun. Ambrose closed his eyes and sighed softly. Tingles danced across my finger tips before going up my arms.

“Will it always be like this?” I whispered.

“No. After I mark you it’ll get better.” He told me with a smile.

“It can get better?” I asked incredulously.

Ambrose chuckled.

“Yes, but we can take our time with that. I want you to understand exactly what it means to be fully mated before we are.” He told me.

“There are other ways that you can make me feel better without the marks.” I said softly with a smirk. There is always something about Ambrose that makes me feel brave.

Before he could say anything else I tipped my head back and pressed my lips to his. At first Ambrose didn’t really k**s me back. As soon as my lips started to move against his though, it didn’t take him long.

Since I was already feeling brave, I opened my mouth and slipped my tongue along his bottom l*p. Ambrose didn’t open his mouth like I wanted him to so I did what he had done to me that night we were together. I sucked in his bottom l*p and nibbled on it, possibly a bit harder than I intended. Ambrose g*****d and before I knew it, my back was pressed in the nearest wall.

Finally, Ambrose slipped his tongue in my mouth and I relished in the feeling. Our tongues danced together, tasting each other. Oh Gods, I forgot how good he tastes.

Just as I was beginning to get lost in my mate, someone cleared their throat interrupting us. At first, I had zero intentions of paying that throat clearing any attention. Honestly, I forgot that anyone in the world existed besides Ambrose. But, much to my disappointment, Ambrose broke our k**s and took a step back from me.

I was breathing much harder than I thought I was and apparently so is Ambrose. He’s just staring at me with eyes so dark with l**t they almost look black. I wanted to open my mouth and tell him to teleport us somewhere to be alone, but before I could someone else spoke.

“Sorry to interrupt buttttttt Mom said to come get you two.” I turned my head to find a boy that I haven’t seen before but looks a lot like Azai. “Feel like I’m being punished having to walk in on that though. Now I see why she didn’t ask Alessio.”

The boy rolled his eyes.

“Shut up Axton.” Ambrose told me.

Oh, so he’s Axton.

Axton glared at his brother.

“Well, if the two of you are done sucking each others faces, the rest of our family is about to show up and I’m sure your mate would rather be sitting down with food when they get here.” He said then he turned and walked away without another word.

I turned to Ambrose.

“Ahh, I see it.” I mumbled.

“See what?” Ambrose asked with a confused look.

“The assholeness.” I said.

Ambrose blinked at me for a moment and a smile spread across my face, then he burst out into laughter.

“Alright, let’s go see our son and get you some food.” Ambrose said and then he slung an arm over my shoulders and walked me out of the room.

When we walked past the kitchen I paused for a moment.

“What about b***d for Tate?” I asked lowly.

Ambrose smiled and shook his head.

“I’m pretty positive that my mother took care of that. Like I said, he’s just like I was. And she is who we get the Vampire side from, she knows how to tell if he’s hungry. And knowing her she has probably already fed him five bags.” He said before pushing open a set of double doors.

Behind those doors is a large and extravagant dining room. Something that definitely fits this mansion. The long table sits probably 50 people. It’s very grand and beautiful.

“Holy shit.” I breathed out in awe.

Ambrose chuckled.

“Well, when you have a family as big as this one we kind of need the space.” He told me.

“Mommy!” Tate squealed from the other side of the table.

“Go on. I’ll get you a plate.” Ambrose said and then kissed my cheek.

I walked over to Tate who is sitting at the right hand of the head of the table, which is Kasyn. Taking the chair next to Tate I gave my son a smile and looked at his plate. Chicken alfredo and garlic bread, some of Tate’s favorties. I also noticed that he has a very large cup with a straw in it.

“He’s on his fifth b***d bag.” Lydia said.

I looked up and she gave me a wink.

“Thank you.” I told her.

“It’s no problem sweetie. Ambrose nearly drank our entire supply when he first shifted, though he was older than Tate is.” She told me.

“I thought that werewolves didn’t shift until they were going through puberty.” I said confused.

“Normal Werewolves yes, my children are not normal and neither are their children.” She told me and then smiled at Tate. “Most of our children shifted before they were ten. Aureaila was the earilest shift though at three. Don’t worry Epperly, Tate is 100% normal for the Morningstar standards.” Lydia said.

I smiled at her. “Thank you.” I said again.

“Wasn’t sure the two of you would actually show up so soon.” Axton said to me from across the table.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Alessio asked him.

Axton smirked at me.

“Oh nothing. Just that when I found them they were-” He was cut short by something behind me.

I turned my head to find Ambrose standing all brooding and glaring at his brother.

“Thought I told you to shut up Axton.” Ambrose said.

Tate, hearing the menacing tone from his father turned to look at his dad, and then followed his gaze to Axton.

“You better not be being mean to my daddy.” Tate warned him and then he did something I had never heard him do.

He growled. Like a real growl, not like what I heard from Ambrose but it was still threatening.

“Uht oh, now you did it Ax. You don’t mess with that kids daddy.” Azai said amused from a few seats down.

I didn’t even see them.

I waved down to the three of them and they waved back. Clover is sitting across the table in the corner between Kasyn and Lydia. She looked at Tate with a worried expression.

“Listen kid-” Axton started to lecture my son.

“No you listen kid.” I said interrupting him. “First off, Ambrose told you to shut up already. And don’t talk to my son with that condescending tone.” I told him.

Axton glared at me and I held his gaze. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Tate cross his arms over his chest, probably giving his uncle the same glare I am. The air grew tense as everyone watched to see what Axton would say next.

“Great.” He rolled his eyes. “More bossy women in this family is exactly what we needed.” He said and then smiled at me.

“Looks like you fit right in Epperly, welcome home.” He said surprising me.

“Thanks.” I mumbled.

Ambrose set down a plate of pasta and a glass of water in front of me. I smiled and he took the seat next to me. Ambrose rested his hand on my thigh and I started eating. I looked down at the table to see a few new faces.

“So, I’m Epperly, Ambrose’s mate and this is our son Tate.” I gestured to Tate who smiled around his straw. “Who are you guys?”