72
"Kinship is important, I suppose."
Amelia's POV
"Amelia get down here and talk to this damn woman before I kill her!" My mate's bellow made me start out of sleep. I tilted my head and looked around. Yesterday was a messy blur. I got up and slipped from our room.
I hurried down the stairs and went to the front door to see-
-my mother.
I glanced at my mother and turned my gaze away before she could say anything.
"Can I get Brent?" She asked and for a while I didn't have an answer then I nodded. Kaden huffed.
"Make it quick and don't try anything." Kaden growled and stepped aside to let her in. A disgusted look marred his face and for a moment he looked at me before turning away with a huff.
"Come on." I said and led her through the house careful to keep a close eye on her. Finally we were to the cellars and I made her wait while I went to my brother's cell and let him out.
"Your mother is here." I growled and he nodded and followed me to meet her.
I led them again through the house and outside and paused as my mother grasped my arm. Kaden had left. I'd avoided her gaze most of the time and now I glanced to meet her eyes. She stared at me with a wondering glance and looked out toward the forest.
"Are you coming?" She asked softly and I shook my head.
"No." I replied. My mother tilted her head.
"I'm not going with you." I finished and my mother frowned.
"But we're family." My mother said and I chuckled bitterly.
"You left me." I growled and turned my glare on her.
"I have no family. I have no love. No one gives a damn about me. So with that, why should I go with you?" I snarled and bitterness clawed at my heart.
My mother looked around before giving me a smile, "That's why. I can give you all of that." She said and I scowled.
"Don't lie to me. Besides I don't want any of it anymore, I'm just tired... and I want you to leave." I said and she slowly frowned the smile fading.
"Mom maybe we should-" my half brother started.
"Quiet Brent." My mother snapped.
"You need to come with me." She said looking back to me with pleading eyes and I shook my head.
"I don't need to do anything. Get out." I spat and felt my claws coming from my fingers. Rain snarled and gave a bark of warning showing her teeth.
"You'll regret not just coming along with me." My mother growled before turning and leaving. I glared after her.
"Peace." Brenton said before bounding after our mother and the two disappeared from my view.
I sighed and went back inside, leaning on the door as I closed it. I let out a long breath and stared at the ceiling.
With a soft frown, I made my way to the stairs and to my room.
I sat on the bed with a groan and clenched my teeth at the pangs rushing through me. I frowned because my heat seemed more aggressive than usual. Every thought of a man's touch was causing more and more tension to grip my abdomen and I wrapped my arms around myself.
I huffed and threw myself against the bed, a poor decision because it just riled me up more, and pulled the covers up over my head. With a growl I forced my eyes closed and tried to induce sleep.
But my brain was alive with one thought in particular:
Mate.
"When a girl wants something bad enough, she tends to get it."
Amelia's POV
I woke up with a jolt.
Pain. Everything hurt. Rain howled in hormonal agony. This heat was the worst I'd ever experienced.
My stomach churned and I moaned as I tossed and turned in the sheets. I needed release.
Noah.
The clicking of the door opening made me shoot upright and the sight of my mate made my body ache in urges.
No, I thought, this may not go as planned. My body was calling out to its mate. My mate on the other hand was completely oblivious to the situation, that is, until the door closed.
Kaden paused as the door shut and sniffed the air. His eyes snapped to me and they were a bit dark. Another rough pang of longing hit me and I groaned.
Kaden would have to do.
"You're still in heat." He said and I gave a nod. He nodded as well and started to leave.
"Where are you going?" I asked and he paused and looked back at me. He took a deep breath.
"I'm sleeping in my office tonight." He said and I frowned and Rain whined.
"Kaden, can you kiss me or something? You don't have to do much, I just need you to at least touch me." I whimpered and clambered off the bed. He visibly tensed as I walked over.
"I can do whatever I want. I'm not having sex tonight Amelia, so drop it." He growled and I couldn't help growling back in frustration.
"Who said I wanted sex, I asked for a kiss?" I spat and a shadow passed over his face for a moment.
He blinked the look away and shook his head, not offering an explanation.
"A kiss. A hug. Something." I said gripping his shirt and Kaden curled his lip and shoved me off.
"Stop it Amelia." He said shooting me a warning look and I sighed in desperation. My body ached and yearned to be taken.
"I need it." I gasped and pressed my body against his. Kaden growled.
"It hurts. Please I need you to make it go away." I whimpered and he sucked on his teeth and looked away from me.
"Please." I groaned and reached for his shirt collar not caring.
"No." Kaden growled and gripped my wrists before pushing my hands away and glaring at me threateningly.
"Why?" I growled angrily and he gave a snarl.
"She died on this day." He spat and I felt like he'd slapped me in the face. I stepped away from him and nodded my head curtly.
"Emma... I see." I said and swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat.
"Now, will you stop?" He said and I nodded. I was fine with that, I wanted to be with Noah anyway.
