Butterscotch Souls: The Morningstar Series: Book 4
Butterscotch Souls – Chapter 39

“Seirra.” I said when I heard her voice.

Angela and CJ stepped aside, giving me a full view of my old mentor. Tears filled my eyes again as I took her in. She still has purple hair, but it is much longer now.

Seirra also has a few more tattoos than she did the last time I saw her. She opened her arms up for me, and I practically jumped into them.

“I missed you so much.” I whispered to her.

“I missed you too, you little trouble maker.” She said with a chuckle. “I knew you could make it out there on your own. You did so good, little girl. I’m so proud of you.” Seirra said.

Seirra’s word only made my tears worse. I clung to her like I was afraid she would disappear if I let go. She’s really here. They all are. I pulled back to look in Seirra’s eyes.

“Where is Kiah?” I asked.

Seirra smiled and stepped aside. I looked to the first car to see Kiah standing there awkwardly waiting. He gave me a small smile when I noticed him.

“Kiah!” I shouted as I ran the short distance to him.

I threw myself into Kiah’s arms. He hugged me back just as tightly as I was him. I inhaled deeply, and his scent seemed to calm me in almost the same way that Ambrose’s does. It’s familiar to me, not like the others, though. Kiah’s scent is different.

It always has been, but now it’s… stronger?

“I missed you the most.” I told him.

“I missed you too, Epperly.” He said sadly. “I’m so sorry that I sent you out into the world alone.” He told me.

I pulled back to look him in the eyes. Kiah smiled at me, but his eyes were sad. He can’t really be blaming himself, can he? It’s not his fault dangerous people were after me.

“What were you supposed to do, Kiah? Leave your pack and come with me?” I asked with a small laugh. “I don’t blame you for anything. You gave me a chance for freedom. If it weren’t for you, I would have never met my mate, never had…” I trailed off as I turned around to see Tate.

I grabbed Kiah’s hand and forced him over to my mate and son.

“Kiah, this is my mate, Ambrose. Ambrose, this is Kiah. And this little guy is our son, Tate.” I said proudly.

“You didn’t tell me that you had a son with my dau-” Kiah started but stopped abruptly.

I frowned at him and Ambrose. Ambrose told me that they had talked, but I didn’t really know the extent of their conversation. After Angela and CJ were surprised by my mate and son, I just assumed that Kiah and Ambrose were keeping it a secret as a surprise.

So, why is Kiah so angry?

“It didn’t come up.” Ambrose replied in a stern voice.

My eyes flickered between the two of them. They stared each other down. Almost like they were daring the other to say something. Even Tate was looking between the two men.

“Oooookkay.” I drawled out. “Should we show them where they’ll be staying?” I asked Ambrose.

“Mommy, can I take the girls to Ziggy’s house to play?” Tate asked.

I turned my head to him.

“Don’t you think that you should ask Ziggy’s parents first?” I asked him.

Tate shrugged.

“Belle says that I am always welcome.” He said simply.

My eyes bulged at him. I shook my head at my son. Ambrose chuckled.

“How about we show them their rooms and let them get settled in first.” Ambrose said as he turned and walked into the school. “Don’t worry, they will be here all week, and Ziggy is coming to the barbeque later.” Ambrose reminded Tate.

“I can’t wait! Daddy, can I get a big steak like you?” Tate asked.

“I told you that those steaks were a secret. Everyone else is getting burgers and hot dogs.” Ambrose scolded our son.

Angela and I followed behind them, giggling.

“I didn’t know we were having a cookout.” Angela said to me.

Cece is holding her mom’s hand as we walked through the school. Her little eyes looked around in complete awe. Tia and Belle decided that my family could stay in a section of the school that they usually use for Mate Week. I had to ask what that was.

Apparently, once a year, usually right after summer break starts, the school holds a week long event to help other supernaturals find their mates. Belle told me that that was how she and Robby met. It was such a sweet story, and apparently lead to Max meeting Tia and then the twins getting together.

“We decided to hold one tonight so that you guys could get familiar with the people around. Since you’re going to be here all week.” I replied to Angela as we followed behind my mate up some stairs.

“Oh sounds fun.” My best friend replied.

Ambrose stopped when we came to the third floor. He turned around to face us with our son still in his arms. The hallway behind him came to a dead end but there are six doors on each side.

“The left side are more adequate for couples with or without kids.” He said. “The right is more for singles but if there isn’t enough room just let us know and we can get you anything you need.” He told the group. “Please help yourselves.”

All of the group pushed past us. Angela and I giggled as we watched them all claim rooms. Even CJ and Kaylee ran off to claim a room together. Kiah was the only one to hung back but eventually he stepped up onto the floor leaving Angela and I on the stairs.

“Stop your bickering!” Kiah shouted. “You’re embarressing our pack.” He said and then picked the room that two guys were fighting over. Kiah smirked and gave me a wink before he shut the door.

Angela and I fell into a fit of giggles.

“I still can’t believe this is real.” Angela said. “You just popped into my life one day, became my best friend, and then you were gone. I didn’t even get to say goodbye to you. Now… you’re here. Right in front of me. After all of these years.” She said and her eyes started to mist with tears.

I reached out and pulled her into my arms.

“I wanted to say goodbye so badly. Hell, I didn’t even want to leave.” I whispered in her ear.

“I know. Kiah explained everything to us. Well, eventually he did. At first he just kept saying that you needed to leave, that it was best. After CJ and I turned 18 we pressed him more and more about it until he finally told us the truth.” She told me.

I pulled out of her arms to look her in the face.

“What happened that night? I’ve been dying to know for much too long now.” I said.

Angela laughed and pushed my shoulder gently.

“All these years…. All this time… We have kids and you want to know how things had went with CJ and me back then?” She asked still laughing.

I rolled my eyes.

“Well I see things turned out well.” I said.

Angela shrugged.

“Yeah. That night I did what you said and told CJ how I felt. All for him to tell me he didn’t feel that way for me.” She told me.

I gasped.

“What?” I asked.

Angela nodded.

“Yup. Said that he didn’t want to ruin our friendship and when I tried to push, he told me that he just didn’t see me as more than a friend.” She said.

I looked at her with wide eyes.

“What a f*****g idiot.” I stated.

Angela snorted.

“Oh yeah. Big dumbass. Should have seen the shock on his face when he turned 18. He scented me immediately. Went nearly insane. I thought he was angry with me over something. He didn’t tell me for over a month.” She said and crossed her arms.

“I bet he was extremely embarressed about what happened just for you to be his mate.” I said.

Angela shrugged.

“As he should have been.” She said.

“So, how’d it happen?” I asked her.

A wide smile spread across my best friends face.

“Well, he wasn’t exactly subtle about the interest. At first I thought that maybe he was starting to have feelings for me, never would I have thought I was his mate. I thought he would have told me if I were.” She said and then rolled her eyes.

“He was always around, always there. He kept sneaking in my room at night and making some kind of excuse just to sleep in bed with me.” Angela gave a small laugh.

“One night things kind of… took a turn in the right direction. After a couple days of me beating myself up he finally told me.” She said. “And now we have two, almost three kids together.”

I placed my hand over Angela’s stomach.

“Another baby.” I whispered.

A weird senese washed over me. I have no idea how to explain it but.. it’s almost like a whisper in my brain followed by warmth spreading through my body.

“A boy this time.” I said.

“How did you know that?” Angela asked. “I did a ring test but I honestly wasn’t sure yet. I didn’t even tell CJ.” She told me.

I shook my head and removed my hand.

“I have no idea, I just… did.” I said repeating the same words Tate had used.

Angela looked me up and down.

“You’re so different now, but the same still.” She told me. “The power you have… it’s… intense.”

I furrowed my brow.

“What do you mean? Because of Ambrose’s marks?” I asked her.

Angela shook her head.

“No, this is all you. It’s like you’ve been awakened.” She told me.

“Mommy! Mommy! Kaylee and me got our own beds! Mommy come and look!” Cece came rushing up her mom and grabbed her hand pulling her in the direction of their room.

“Sorry.” Angela said to me.

I waved her off.

“Don’t be. I have one of my own remember?” I said with a laugh.

Angela let her daughter drag her through their door. Ambrose came up to me and kissed my head. He and Tate had been patiently waiting against the wall. I turned to my mate and wrapped my arms around his middle.

Resting my head on his chest I sighed.

“What’s wrong Momma?” Tate asked.

I looked at my son and smiled.

“I’m starving, that’s what’s wrong.” I said.

Ambrose chuckled.

“You just ate.” He said.

Tate frowned at his dad.

“I’m hungry too Dad.” He said.

“Well, looks like I need to feed my little loves.” Ambrose said.

My mate took my hand and lead us to the kitchen of the school. Tia and Max are sitting at the island, all four of their children here with them. Tate and Gatlin glared at each other making me roll my eyes.

How can two children hold grudges like this?

“Tate, that’s enough. Gatlin is your cousin and you two are going to have to get over your little fued.” I whispered to my son.

“When Gatlin stops being mean to Clover I’ll be nice to him Momma.” Tate said loudly as he held Gatlin’s glare.

Tia g*****d.

“How many times do I have to tell you to stop picking on Clover? Just because she’s better at drawing than you doesn’t mean you have to ruin all of her art work.” She scolded her son.

Gatlin narrowed his eyes at Tate before turning a soft face to his mother.

“I’m sorry Mommy. I’ll be real nice to her at the cookout today.” He said.

“Oh you sure as Hell will. In fact, you are going to take her some new drawing stuff, and you are to play with her and do whatever she says for the whole time we are there.” Tia told him.

Gatlin’s jaw dropped. Tia narrowed her eyes at him as if daring her son to say something. Gatlin let out a small growl and stomped up to his dad. Max looks like he is desperately trying to not laugh.

“You’re my favorite parent.” Gatlin stated before going off to the corner where his twin is playing with some trucks.

Max snorted and Tia narrowed her eyes at him.

“If this isn’t a girl… I swear I will end you.” She told him while patting her belly.

Max gulped and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“There’s two actually.” I said and then cleared my throat. “Sorry… Uh.. I don’t know how I knew that..” I said.

“Another set of twins?” Tia asked frustratedly.

“Uh…” I trailed off.

“Look at us go babe.” Max said with a bright smile. “Three pregnancies and six kids.. We must be blessed.” He said as he bounced one of their younger twins on his lap.

“Blessed my a*s.” Tia mumbled. “Your children are hellions.” She said as she looked in the corner at her three sons playing.

Max chuckled and set his son on the floor so that he could join his brothers.

“You’re just hungry.” He told her. “Let me make you something.” Max kissed Tia’s cheek and went to the refrigorater.

“Uncle Max, can me and Mommy get some food too?” Tate asked.

“Sure thing buddy.” Max said.

“Hey!” Gatlin shouted from the corner. “I’m your buddy not Tate.” He stated.

Tate rolled his eyes and wiggled to get out of his dads hold. Ambrose set him down and he walked over to Tia. Tate used his little pointer finger to usher his aunt to bend down to his level. Tia did so and Tate whispered something in her ear. She giggled and thanked him before Tate ran off to play with his cousins.

I walked over to the island and hopped up on one of the bar stools. Tia has a smile plastered on her face and her eyes are a bright yellow. Max came out and started making us a few sandwhiches.

“Babe, you’re glowing, and so happy. What did the little guy tell you?” Max asked his mate.

Tia looked up at all of us before settling on her mate.

“He told me ‘don’t worry Auntie Tia, these one’s are girls’.” She said and then laughed. “Finally! I’ll get daughters. They’ve got to be better than these monsters.” She said making us laugh.

“Don’t mind her.” Max told us. “Her hormones are stressing her out and Gatlin isn’t making it easier on her.” He said.

I nodded in understanding even though I don’t. Tate was an amazing baby and my pregnancy was as easy as it could have been. And I do not feel any way towards him now. Although, Gatlin is a little hell raiser.

“So, how are your old pack liking their rooms?” Tia asked.

I shrugged.

“We kind of left them to get settled in.” I said.

“I told Kiah that the barbeque would start in a couple of hours.” Ambrose told us, then he turned to me. “I think that you should go talk to him now though, while you guys can have a few minutes alone.” Ambrose told me.

“But… my food.” I said as I looked at the sandwhiches that Max is now making for me.

“Take them with you, love.” Ambrose said with a laugh. “I’m going to go see Olive so that..” He trailed off and his eyes flickered to Max and Tia.

“We already know.” Max stated.

Ambrose and I both turned our heads to them. Neither looked bothered in the slightest. How did they know already?

“I could see the glow in Epperly the moment she became pregnant.” Max explained.

“Took me a while to figure out that that’s what the glowing meant in women, but after Tia’s and Belle’s second pregnancy I kind of figured it out.” He said. “Don’t worry though, we haven’t told anyone.”

“Good, we will be announcing it tonight.” Ambrose said and then kissed my cheek.

Max handed me two sandwhiches wrapped in papertowel.

“One can be for Kiah.” He told me.

I snatched them and held them close to my chest.

“Yeah right.” I grumbled before heading towards the door.

Ambrose circled an arm around my middle and pulled me back against him.

“No k**s for me, mate?” He whispered in my ear.

His low voice went straight to my core. I turned around in his arms to look up in his deep blues. Gods, I love his eyes, and everything else about him. He’s so hot, and sexy, especially with his shirt off.

“Oh for f**k’s sake leave!” Tia practically shouted. “Your arousal is choking me.” She said with a gag.

Ambrose chuckled and pressed a small k**s to my lips. “I’ll see you in a bit okay?”

I nodded. “Okay. Bye Tate, I’ll see you in a little while.”

“Bye Mommy.” Tater called back without even looking at me.

I rolled my eyes and left the room. On my way to Kiah’s room I ate an entire sandwhich. I’m pretty sure I inhaled it instead of enjoying it. When I got to Kiah’s room I knocked on the door and started to eat my second sandwhich.

There was some rustling behind the door and some hushed voices. Just when I was thinking that maybe I should come back later, the door opened. Kiah stood leaning against it without a shirt on.

My eyebrows shot up.

“Uh…” I trailed off. “Is this a bad time?” I asked.

Kiah shook his head.

“No. No, of course not.” He said but his voice came out nervous.

“She’s damn near 26 years old now Kiah. I think she can handle it.” Came Seirra’s voice from behind him.

I peaked around Kiah to see Seirra… in the shirt that Kiah doesn’t have on… and nothing else.

“So I am interrupting something.” I mumbled amused.

“No! No you’re not.” Kiah rushed out.

I looked between him and Seirra.

“It’s totally okay if I am. No worries. We can talk later at the barbeque.” I said.

“Told you she wouldn’t care.” Seirra said.

I frowned.

“Why would I care?” I asked.

Kiah blew out a breath.

“Epperly, I’m glad that you stopped by. There is something that I need to talk to you about.” He said.

“Okay, but you have to put a shirt on and Seirra has to put pants on if she’s staying.” I said.

Seirra let out a loud snort.

“Don’t worry Epp, I won’t be staying. You guys need to have an alone talk.” She said as she shimmied into some pants.

I scrunched my face up.

“An alone talk?” I asked.

Seirra and Kiah shared a look.

“I’ll see you later at the little get together.” Seirra said to me before walking past me and going to the room next door.

I turned back to Kiah, who looks extremely uncomfortable.

“Soooo.” I drawled out. “How about that shirt?” I asked.

Kiah chuckled and turned around. I walked into his room and shut the door as he pulled a plain white shirt over his head. The room looks like hotel room but more homey, more like a cabin. I sat on the bed and took a bite of my sandwhich.

“So, I heard you got your pack back and that you’re even allowed to keep taking in rouges.” I said.

Kiah sat on the bed next to me.

“I did. It was… surreal.” He said but there was something in his eyes that broke my heart.

“I was told that you lost your mate when you lost your pack. I’m sure it’s very hard to build your pack back up without her around.” I said softly.

Kiah looked over at me.

“It is.” Then he blew out a breath. “It’s… a lot harder than I expected it to be.” He told me honestly.

I nodded.

“At least you have Seirra.” I said as I wiggled my eyebrows.

Kiah shoved my shoulder with his and rolled his eyes.

“I’m thinking about asking her to be my chosen mate.” He told me softly.

My eyes bulged. “That’s awesome Kiah!” I said.

He nodded and let our a small shakey laugh.

“The pack needs a Luna, and an air.” He told me. “Plus, I may have fallen in love with her over the years.” He admitted.

I smiled brightly.

“Well, it’s about time.” I said with a laugh. “So, if you guys are pretty much in a relationship why are you sleeping in separate rooms?” I asked.

Kiah sighed.

“I, uhm, wasn’t sure how you would take it.” He admitted awkwardly.

I furrowed my brow.

“Why would I care what you and Seirra do?” I asked.

Kiah took a deep breath and turned his body to me. I took another bite of my sandwhich as I watched him. He seems to be thinking about what to say next.

“Epperly, there is something I have to tell you.” He said.

“Obviously.” I said back.

Kiah took another deep breath.

“As you know, I was an Alpha of my own pack. 25 years ago my pack was attacked. Another lower ranked wolf from a nearby pack challeneged me. In the chaos my mate was kidnapped. I had no idea that she was gone at first. I spent so much time searching for her.” He said sadly.

“About 13 years later I found her.” He told me and then looked into my eyes.

“25 years ago.. 13 years later… Was she at the lab that you found me in?” I asked him.

Kiah nodded. “She was.”

I put my hand up to my mouth.

“She must have been one of the wolves in the basement..” I whispered.

Kiah’s eyes went wide.

“You knew about them?” He asked.

I shook my head.

“No. Not at the time. I just found out.” I told him. “I read the file, finally, after all these years.” I said with a small laugh.

Kiah nodded.

“I didn’t tell you about them because most of them were dead. The ones that weren’t joined the pack. They didn’t want to remember their time at the lab so we never talked about it for their sake.” He told me.

“And with your big mouth we couldn’t trust you not to bring it up all the time.” He said amused.

I rolled my eyes.

“Everyone acts like I can’t keep a secret.” I mumbled.

Kiah laughed.

“Epperly.” Kiah said my name so softly.

I looked over to see him staring at me with nothing but pure love.

“My mate was not with the other Werewolves in the basement. She was held somewhere else in the lab.” He told me.

“Why?” I asked with my face scrunched.

“Because my mate was not a Werewolf.” He said.

I shook my head and then frowned.

“How many others did they have there?” I asked.

“You, the wolves in the basement, and Sandra, my mate.” He said.

My eyes went wide and I dropped my sandwhich. It fell to the floor and neither of us made a move to gather it up. I stared into Kiah’s eyes.

“Sandra? But she..” I trailed off and shook my head.

“She was your mate?” I asked.

Kiah nodded. His eyes bore into me, like they were begging me to put the pieces together myself. My mother was his mate? Sandra had told Dr. Lucas that my father was a Werewolf. Does that mean…?

Tears filled my eyes as the pieces finally clicked together.

“You’re…” I swallowed the lump in my throat. “You’re my father?” I asked in a whisper.

Kiah’s own eyes started to glisten.

“Yes.” He admitted.

I opened my mouth but no words came out. All I could do is stare at the man that is sitting next to me. My father.

“You knew this whole time?” I asked. Kiah nodded. “Why.. Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.

“I wanted to.. There were a few times that I tried to but… you never wanted to know about your past, about your parents. Your wolf was gone, I thought that it was better this way.” He told me. “I know that was wrong of me now. I just… didn’t know what to do.”

I shook my head.

“It makes so much sense now.” I whispered. “The comfort I feel from you, the pushing you always did when it came to that damn file.” I said.

“I am so sorry Epperly. I had no idea that you even existed. Finding you in that lab was the shock of my life. I had so many regrets and so much pain at that point in my life. I took one look at you and all of that disappeared. I didn’t know how to be a father to you, not after what you had been through, not after finding out my mate had been dead for years. I felt it when she died but… seeing it confirmed was almost too much for me. You have no idea how much you saved me that day.” Kiah told me.

At this point tears are streaming down my face.

“B-but you sent me away.” I said as I struggled to wrap my mind around this.

“We have a lot to discuss Epperly.” He said. “Please… I just need to know that you forgive me for this first. I’ll tell you everything you want to know but please, forgive me for abandoning you twice.” Kiah begged.

“Abandoning me?” I asked. “You didn’t abandon me. I understand why you did the things you did, and if you hadn’t sent me out into the world then I would have never found my mate, never had my son… I understand why you never told me Kiah.. I forgive you. Please don’t think that I ever held any ill will towards you.” I said.

Kiah nodded and wiped his eyes.

“Well then daughter, let me tell you everything.”