Elizabeth
I awoke and sat straight up, noticing that something was different. I’d had a pleasant night of sleep, but my senses were warning me about a second presence in my bedroom, and it wasn't Eric.
“Hi!” Eric’s mom greeted me. She was dressed in ordinary clothes—jeans and a shirt—while sitting in the armchair that Eric used to occupy next to my bed.
“Hello,” I mumbled, blinking several times and wondering what Eric's reincarnated mom was doing there, looking so serious. “Where's Eric?”
“I asked him to wait downstairs while I had a little chat with you,” Jessica explained, resting her hands on her knees.
“Is something wrong?”
“That's what I'm here to find out.”
I fixed my hair and blinked again, feeling the tension rising. Maybe the witch was mad because I had almost killed her out of jealousy.
“About yesterday ... I owe you an apology for attacking you. I didn't ...”
“Please.” Jessica raised her hand to quiet me down. “I'm here to talk to you about something else.” Jessica paused and eased her body in the armchair. “You may not remember meeting me before. After all, I looked like someone else, but we’ve met when you were imprisoned by my other son, and he was madly in love with you and wanting to make you his mate. So, you may slightly understand my concern about what’s happening between you and Eric since you found each other.”
I went pale. I tried to open my mouth, but the words didn't come out.
Jessica added, “I was disguised as Valentina, the witch he kidnapped to break the curse.”
I nodded, recalling the night I was set free. I could only imagine what Jessica thought about me.
“I had no wish to be Alaric's mate. I was trapped against my will. My heart was never his. He ...”
Jessica interrupted me, “Anna also told me you played a big role in the success of my plan. You saved Myra and killed Vincent.”
“Yes.”
“But I have to wonder if deep down you didn't feel like you should be loyal to Alaric.”
“Never!” I fisted my hands. The mere idea was repugnant.
“What about Eric? Do you love him?”
“We've just met. I know he's my soul-mate, but ... I'm still recovering.”
“Do you blame him for what happened to you?”
I snapped. “Of course not! What kind of question is that?”
“Alaric is his brother after all,” Jessica said with a soft voice and analyzing eyes while shrugging.
“And you are, or were, their mother. Do you blame Eric for anything that his brother has done to you and your family?”
“No. Eric is nothing like Alaric, and you need to understand that.”
“I understand,” I declared, hugging myself and pressing my back against the pillow. “And I hate Alaric for all he did to me and my sister. I would kill him if I could, but they are bounded, and Marie is pregnant.”
Jessica nodded. “Yes, things are quite messy.”
“And you weren't able to break the curse,” I reminded her.
A trace of guilt crossed Jessica's face. “I believe that Marie's pregnancy was the unbinding factor that prevented the spell from working.”
“You must try again,” I said, moving forward and kneeling on the bed. “Once Alaric is found again and he's captured ...”
Jessica got up and sat on the bed, putting her hands over mine. “I can respect your love for your sister. I'm sorry for all the pain you had to endure at the hands of that monster. I don't wish any harm to Marie and her baby. I tried to save both. I'm happy for Eric, but I'm worried for you, Beth.”
“I'll be fine once that bastard dies,” I muttered, narrowing my eyes.
“Eric is ... He's happy and sad at the same time. He's afraid that you might give up living. He waited for you for far too long. So, you need to promise me that you will heal, and I promise you that we will look for your sister and her baby.”
“And if you find them?”
“We won't put their lives at risk, but we won’t be kind to Alaric.”
“He will come for me. He will,” I mumbled, my heart beating faster with fear. “He won't let me be free. He’ll come for me, and he will probably kill me or … I rather wish that he kills me. I don’t want to go back to the hell I was in.”
“No one will do anything to you. You’re safe now. Eric will protect you. I'll protect you. No one will take you away from us. We are your family now.”
I fought back the tears and felt comfort in Jessica's words. I nodded to dissipate the darkness that threatened to take over the glimpse of happiness that I’d been experiencing the last few days.
“The nightmare is over, Beth,” Jessica declared, moving forward and hugging my fragile figure. “You can breathe and relax. Find happiness in the fact that you found Eric, and he will never do anything to hurt you, honey.” Jessica caressed my hair and rubbed her back, but I kept shivering. “I have no idea of all the bad things that happened to you. I can only imagine. But it's over now. We will help you and take care of you. Not just Eric but us: Marcus, Anna, Shane, and I.”
“Thank you,” I whispered, relaxing in her hug but unable to hug her back.
“Do you want me to help you get dressed? I brought you more clothes that I don't use. But we need to get you out of the house and go shopping, so you start feeling at home with us.”
“Will Eric come with us?
“I don't think we could go anywhere with you without him following us everywhere. He’s your mate, honey. He’ll be your shadow if you let him.”
Jessica wiped my tears and smiled at me.
I eventually smiled back. Eric had been there for me, and I was becoming dependent on him. Despite all I had suffered, I had finally found my mate, and he seemed to be all that I had ever wished for in a mate and even more.