Reclaiming Quinn - Parker Williams Page 0,79
to stay. It’s been a long time since I felt part of something.”
“And your wife? She’s waiting at Lydon.”
Rupert sighed. “I am uncertain what she will do. As I said, she had dreams before Judah was born, and I know she wants to see what life is like out there.”
“She would leave you? Her son?”
“Marissa never felt a connection to Judah. Oh, she loved him in her own way, but that bond never formed. She wanted to keep one foot in both worlds. I’m not saying she will go, but if I told her I would care for Judah on my own, I think she might.”
“That seems wrong,” Gareth grumbled.
“No, wrong is forcing a woman to bear a child she wasn’t ready for and didn’t want. Wrong is telling her she was only good for breeding and nothing else. Marissa stood her ground against Klein and told him what she wanted out of life. What she really wanted, though, was out there, in the world where she could put her gifts to use.”
“I… guess I understand.”
“Please don’t think harshly of her,” Rupert pleaded. “She’s a good woman, and she raised Judah to be a thoughtful boy. He’s the apple of her eye, but not her heart.”
Gareth looked over at his children, now nestled against Sean’s chest. “My children and mate are my world, so I understand. Marissa must find her own way in the world, and if you’re willing to raise Judah on your own, then we will all be there to support you.”
“I can’t say she’ll go. I honestly don’t know what will happen. Klein kidnapping her isn’t the first time she’s been his captive. Her whole life he’s been her Alpha, and he’s always forced her to do what he wanted. She’s never had a chance to truly live.”
“Why are you defending her?” Quinn asked.
“Because she’s the mother of my child and, more importantly, my friend. No matter what happens, that will never change. I love her, and I want her to be happy, just as I think Judah and I will be one day. He’s never been in a place where he wasn’t terrified constantly.”
Growing up without much of a family, Quinn understood the need to hold on where you could.
“I think it’s a good thing you’re willing to let her go out and explore.”
“I am hopeful that one day she’ll find what she needs and return to us. If she chooses to be a mother, that would be fine too, but it’s not something I would force on her.” He stared over at Zach. “No matter how we think of it, life isn’t always cut and dried.”
And Quinn understood that.
BY THE time they arrived at Lyram’s house, the rain was coming down in buckets. Still, as they pulled into the long drive, Quinn was shocked to see a group of people standing there, waiting on them.
“Who’s that?” he whispered to Sean.
“Those are the Vampyri,” Zach said, sitting up and fixing his gaze on the assembled group.
“I left them in the house. Why are they out in the rain?”
“They sensed our approach. Even now, I can feel they’re much stronger with the arrival of three Omegas. Their responsibility has always been to the safety of the Omegas, and weather will not affect that.”
They parked, and Sean put the babies back in their carriers. As soon as he opened the door, the Vampyri were there, armed with umbrellas that they used to shield Sean and the children.
“It’s true,” whispered one of them. “He is an Omega, as are the children.”
As if they’d practiced the move, all but one sank to their knees in front of Sean, with the woman standing and covering the family with the large umbrella.
“No, we’re not doing this. Get up, all of you. In the house, dry off, and sit in the living room,” Sean snapped.
They rose and obeyed without a word, and Quinn would have sworn the rain wasn’t touching them.
“Gareth, I don’t know what you have in mind, but I don’t want them hovering around us, kneeling and stuff. That’s… no.”
“Don’t worry, love. I have a plan, but you’re going to play a part in it. I need you to reach out to Mother.”
Sean widened his eyes. Quinn knew Mother showed up when she wanted to do so. She wasn’t called.
“Really?”
“Yep. It’s time to get some things settled.” Gareth turned to Quinn. “I need you to get Deke comfortable, then join us, because it affects you too.”
Wow. This is gonna be interesting.