Heirs, 55

(POV: Lina)

"Even though you already know each other, I want to introduce you the same way my brothers did," she says, looking at me seriously. "Mom, this is Deniel, my mate."

My heart races, and various memories start swirling in my mind. My eyes fill with tears, and I don't understand why, out of so many men in the world, my daughter had to be mates with him.

"But you're a wizard," I say still in shock. "What spell have you cast on my daughter, you wretch?" I ask, approaching.

"Mom, there's no spell," she defends him.

"Stay away from him!" I demand, pulling her close to me. "Leave, I won't let you use my daughter for your cheap revenge."

"Lina, listen to me," he pleads. "There's no revenge, let alone a spell," he says exhausted. "I love Renata; when I found out she was my mate, I didn't imagine it would be your daughter."

"What would change if you knew?" Renata asks, hurt.

"Nothing," he says quickly. "Nothing, my love, I'm just trying to make your mother understand that it wasn't intentional, we are destined."

"You're not welcome here, leave!" I growl, but he doesn't even flinch.

"I know I've done many wrong things in this life, but for years, I've been living in seclusion," he says impatiently. "I regretted a lot, paid for my actions. I found out that Renata was my mate, destined by the Moon, just on the day I was coming to warn you about Scarlet."

"Your little friend," I accuse. "Who guarantees that you two weren't involved in this?"

"I think no one told you why Scarlet wanted to kill the girl she raised as a daughter," he pauses. "She found out we were together and didn't accept it; she wanted to kill my love, and I waited a long time for her to let anything harm her."

"I don't trust you," I shout.

"Mom," Luan calls. "Considering how many times he saved this family, you should at least give him a vote of confidence."

"Get away from my daughter!" I demand, pulling her closer. "Leave; I won't let you use my daughter for your cheap revenge."

"No," Renata shouts, standing between us. "If you kick him out, I'll leave too," she says, and my heart skips a beat. "The goddess has chosen us," she says, crying.

"You're being irrational, dear," Nicolas touches my shoulder. "I remember how I felt when I found out about that," referring to the tantrum he threw when he found out Luan liked Lucia. "Nothing is more important than our daughter's happiness; she just came back."

"Lina," Deniel calls my attention. "This never made much sense, you and me," he holds my daughter's hand, and I grimace. "Nothing made much sense, but today, I understand that I had to live everything I lived to be prepared for her. To be worthy of her, and I would live it all again if I had to experience love."

"You almost made me kill my entire people," I accuse.

"That was years ago," he defends himself. "I regretted it, redeemed myself to you."

"Time doesn't erase your deeds," I comment.

"Just as time doesn't erase the deeds of werewolves. Or have you forgotten what your people put me through?" he questions.

"One mistake doesn't justify another," I say, crossing my arms.

"Don't come off as a moralist to me," he accuses me. "The only one still holding a grudge here is you. Even after I saved your life several times and your whole family," he takes a deep breath. "I just want a chance, Lina. What I want for her is the same as what you want. I want to take care of her, make her happy; I love your daughter too much to give her up for your whim. Even Nicolas has accepted me."

"Why can't you be happy for me?" Renata asks, hurt. "Why are the girls welcome, and my love isn't?" she tries to wipe away tears, and Deniel embraces her. "I spent a long time not knowing I had a family; now that I know, I love them very much, but I would easily give them up if it were necessary to be with him. The Moon destined us, and I won't let them separate us."

"I love you too much," I say to her. "All I want is your happiness; I want the best for you. Please don't leave us," I plead.

"Deniel is the best for me," she says convincingly.

I remain silent, looking at her face bathed in tears that Deniel tries unsuccessfully to dry. I sigh regretfully. If I'm alive today, it's thanks to him; if my children are alive, it's because of him. Deniel has proven that he has changed, but my anger and jealousy for my little girl spoke louder.

"Forgive me, daughter," I ask, letting the tears take over me. "I don't want you to leave. I spent years looking for you; don't abandon your family, Deniel, please forgive me for this attack," I say truly embarrassed. "If you want the same thing I want for my daughter, I can only be sure it will be very good for her. Welcome to our family."

Renata leaves his arms and runs to hug me. When I feel her in my arms, I collapse into a liberating cry.

"I'll never do anything that compromises your happiness, nor your brothers'," I say, holding her face so she can look at me. "Do you believe in mommy?"

"Yes," she whispers.

"Are you going to move to the mountains?" I ask, looking at Deniel.

"I'll go wherever my little wolf wants to go," he replies, shrugging, and I see a lot of love reflected in his eyes as he looks at my daughter.

"You can stay here; the house is big enough for all of us," I say happily.

"How exciting," Luan draws our attention. "What a big family we've become, welcome to the family, brother-in-law," he hugs Deniel.

"Just don't put your tongue in my daughter's mouth," Nic grumbles.

"Dad," Renata calls her father's attention embarrassed, and I smile.

"On second thought, better just keep it in the mouth. No wandering to other places!"

I observe the wizard's cheeks turn red for the first time and stifle a laugh.

It's not very easy to get over all the events of the past, but if the Moon chose him, I can only trust. I believe we will be very happy, and there is nothing more comforting for a mother than seeing her children smiling. Renata goes to her mate's arms, and Nic pulls me into his arms.

"I love you, you know?" he asks softly. "I'm very proud."

"I love you too," I lightly kiss his lips.