20

Achilles' POV

I slowly started to wake up, but as soon as I could smell I froze. Why did I smell Iris' scent? I snapped my tired eyes open only to see Iris sleeping beside me. The sight of her made me both excited and worried, she looked terrible. She was thin, pale, and had dark circles under her eyes. I gently ran my thumb along her cheek, what the hell happened?

I carefully wrapped my arms around her, afraid she would vanish. I then pulled her close, kissing her temple and whispering "I'm sorry", over and over again. I rested my chin on her head, exhaustion trying to pull me under again. I tensed up as Iris stirred in my arms, letting out a groan. I swallowed and clenched my jaw, afraid of her reaction. I hurt her, I hurt her more than I can imagine. Not physically, thank the goddess, but emotionally. Either way, I still hurt my mate. Her eyes fluttered open, revealing those beautiful green eyes that I've missed for the past week. She furrowed her eyebrows before realization entered her emerald orbs, tears formed in her eyes as she shot up.

She studied me as if I wasn't truly there, as if I was just a figment of her imagination. I smiled and gently ran my hand down her cheek, she closed her eyes and leaned against my hand. My wolf stirred a bit and howled for his mate. I leaned in and kissed her cute pink lips, earning a gasp from her. She then kissed me back, softly grabbing my face. We kissed for goddess knows how long, but we had to part so we could breathe. Her eyes were vulnerable, pleading with me to forgive her, but I already did.

I shouldn't have snapped at her the way I did, I should have controlled my wolf. She swallowed and looked down, tears falling from those beautiful eyes. "I'm sorry." she croaked.

I frowned, "Hey, look at me." I urged, gently grabbing her chin.

I noticed as she flinched, waiting for me to hit her or something. I felt my heart break, but I didn't let it stop me. I made her look at me, my own tears wanting to escape. Goddess, have I missed her.

"You did nothing wrong, you were only trying to help...but I snapped at you. I'm so, so sorry. I love you, you know that right?" I asked, hoping she does.

She hesitated, "I thought you wanted nothing to do with me. You didn't come back and I was too afraid to step into your territory. That and the previous reason."

I pulled her against me, kissing her non-stop. I took in her scent and ran my fingers through her hair, needing to let her know I love her. I would do anything for her, she has me wrapped around her finger. Even though I don't like admitting this, I'm whipped.

"So, you love me?" she murmured.

I smiled, "Yes, more than anything."

"I love you too."

She then broke down and cried into my shoulder, apologizing for getting into my business. I wanted to tell her to stop apologizing, but my wolf told me to let her. If it makes her feel better,then so be it. After hours of her crying and one soaked shoulder, she fell asleep again. Holding her in my arms helped me realize how thin she really is, she feels like nothing. I frowned, I need to get her to eat

"Uh, so do we. We haven't eaten in a week, you're going to fall down those stairs." my wolf sighed.

"True." I groaned.

I snapped my head up and growled as my mother walked in, she jumped a little. She stood there, completely frozen but when Iris shot up I yelped. She turned to face my mother, her eyes wide as she studied her.

"You're Achilles' mother." she stated, sounding calm.

I clenched my jaw, hopefully my mom doesn't hate her. My mother smiled and nodded, closing the door behind her. She hesitated, but eventually sat down on the sofa in my room. Iris watched her every move, alert, but also curious. I held her against me tightly, but Iris decided to pinch me for holding her tightly. I yelped again, scowling at her before rubbing my hip.

"Eat some food, damn." Iris chirped, giving me a disapproving look.

"Says the walking skeleton." I scoffed.

She narrowed her eyes, "That is rude...but by the way, I was a sprinting skeleton."

I rolled my eyes and chuckled before focusing on my mom again; she was smiling at us with amusement in her eyes. Iris then smiled and stretched.

"Hello, Mrs.....?" she trailed off, her eyebrows furrowed.

My mother chuckled, "You can call me Melissa."

"Oh, hello, Melissa." Iris corrected herself.

My mother grinned, "So, you're the girl who owns my son's heart?"

"I think so."

"Yes, she is." I sighed, shaking my head at Iris.

My mother nodded, "Well, you do know what that means, right?"

We both tensed up, waiting for her to answer her own question. Her eyes were now sparkling with joy, "I'm your mother-in-law! I've never had a daughter, well, I did...but..."

"Wait, I had a sister?" I gaped at her.

My mother had a sad look cross her eyes, "Yes, but...I had a miscarriage after losing your father. So, I turned to drinking to get rid of it."

"Rid of what?" Iris asked.

"The pain, depression, everything. I hated having emotions at the time, but then years later I realized I missed most of my son's life and that he no longer wanted me in it. Even though I tried apologizing and explaining myself." she said, scowling at Achilles.

"Well, I tried getting through to him, but he's a stubborn pain in the ass."

"Tell me about it, he's dramatic as well. Just like his old man, who just loved to throw me into the pool whenever he was right and I was wrong." my mother let out a small laugh. "Oh, he was such a fun guy. You would have loved him."

Iris smiled, "I probably would have."

"Glad to see you two bonding." I mumbled.

Iris folded her arms across her chest and that's when I knew the sass was about to start. "Well, if you stopped being a stubborn asshole then you could have joined the conversation."

I frowned, "Not my-

"It's your fault for not giving your mother a chance to explain herself. Look, she just blurted out most of her life story and you're still not talking to her."

I opened my mouth to say something back, but then frowned. I felt ashamed for not talking to my mom, I never knew the true pain from losing your mate until I lost my first and almost my second. Then, add on the fact she lost my younger sister as well probably tore her down. I swallowed and looked at my mother, I frowned even more. She looked stressed, worn out, and just overall, tired.

You could see all the sorrow on her and had my heart hurting, I should have been there for my mom. Even if I don't remember those years that she was a true mother; I should have known she was in pain.

"I'm sorry, mom." I whispered, looking down at my hands in shame.

I felt Iris get off my lap as my mother's scent engulfed me, she hugged me tightly and cried. She then kissed my forehead and smiled. "I'm just glad I still have my son." she beamed.

She then hugged Iris, "And now a daughter-in-law that I can spoil!"

Iris chuckled and hugged her back, "You don't need to spoil me."

"Yes, I do. Achilles too, but I have a feeling that just buying a shit load of food would be enough for you." she said, looking at me.

"Pretty much." I grinned.

Iris rolled her eyes, "Just buy the whole grocery store, that'd be perfect for him."

"Hey, I do not eat that much." I argued, looking at my mate.

"Yes, you are. You emptied my fridge." she grumbled, playfully glaring at me.

"I was getting all the unhealthy stuff out for you."

"Including my icecream?"

"Well, it was mint and-

"Do.not.touch.my.ice.cream." she said slowly. "Especially if there's chocolate in it, never...ever take my chocolate. I'll chop your balls off if you do."

"Awe, but I want grand babies!" my mother whined. "Talking about that, you guys should totally get it on so I can have a grandbaby to spoil."

"MOM!"

"What?"

"You can't say that!"

"Yes, I can, freedom of speech darling."

"Oh, her and Sadie will get along great." Iris chirped.

"Who's Sadie?" my mother asked.

I groaned, "Please don't tell her-

"She's my little sister."

"OH MY GOODNESS I CAN SPOIL HER TOO!!"

"Of course you tell her."

Iris looked at me, "What was I supposed to say? She's my pet dog?"

"Well..."

She slapped the back of my head, earning a groan from me. "What was that for?"

"For calling my sister a pet dog!" she barked.

"Technically, I didn't say-OW! Damnit woman! Stop it!"

"Do not get all technical with me, Mr!"

My mother laughed, "He wasn't ready!"

"Mom, go and bake some pie or whatever the hell you do that you're always in the kitchen."

"Excuse me, it's chocolate chip cookies that I love baking, and they're actually done." she retorted.

Iris really get excited when she heard that, she was so excited that she sprinted downstairs. How did she even know where the kitchen was? I sighed and stood up, swaying a little. I should probably catch my mate before she gets all possessive over them. When my warriors-

"ALPHA THERE IS A CRAZY WOMAN SMACKING US WITH PLATES AND SAYING THE COOKIES ARE HERS!" one of my warriors screamed.

My mother chuckled, "I love her already."

"You guys will be the death of me." I grumbled before walking down.

This is going to be fun.