Chapter 17 - Stephen

I honestly can’t begin to imagine or comprehend how much Amelia has been through. I probably never will fully know. But I do know she’s the strongest person on this planet. 

‘She’s amazing. That’s what our mate is.’ Conway stated as I watched her sleeping, head on my shoulder on our flight. 

I’m not sure how my family will take the news that I have a mate. I mean, I know mom wanted me to find someone. 

Though I think she was hoping more along the lines of a second chance fated mate, which is ridiculous. I know my mom will love Amelia, but I also know she’ll be worried we jumped the gun in being chosen mates so quickly. 

I can’t explain it. I know the pull to Amelia is a mate bond, so she’s not my second chance mate. But I still felt something pulling me to her. Some force that wouldn’t let me leave her. 

Maybe it’s like those silly fairy tales Suzie likes to read. The ones about love at first sight. Because the moment I saw Amelia, I knew nothing would be the same again. 

Today is the first official step into our future. Technically, mating back in Incubi was that first step. But our lives will be here in Bloodmoon. This is where we will start our life together.

I wasn’t surprised that Suzie tried to tackle me or that she’d bet I would end up injured. “Rude.” I grumbled but sighed, smiling softly as she detached from me and instantly hugged Amelia when she realized who she was. 

I could feel the uncertainty bordering on fear from Amelia as my sister hugged her with all her might. That feeling spiking at my parents got through the crowd.

“What are you….” Mom started questioning her words trailing off as she looked at Amelia. Like Suzie, I’m guessing she and dad just felt that click of the family link. 

I smiled, managing to detach Suzie from Amelia and wrapping an arm around her waist. ‘It’s okay, Amelia. I’m right here.’ I assured her through our private link.

“Mom, dad, Suzie.” I introduced them to Amelia. “I want you to meet Amelia Furlan, my mate.” 

“Amelia, meet our family. The twerp is Suzie. My mom, Edith. And my dad Maxton.” I gestured to my family as I said their names.

Amelia gave a small, timid wave. I could tell my family was brimming with questions. But I also knew that Amelia wasn’t ready to answer those, at least not here in such a public setting.

“I know you probably have a lot of questions. We can go into details when we get home. It’s been a long flight. I think Amelia and I could both go for a shower and something to eat.” I suggested.

“Right…of course.” Mom shook her head with a warm smile on her face. 

“This way, kids.” Dad waved his hand for us to follow as he took mom’s hand, leading the way back to our car. 

“Hurry up!” Suzie exclaimed, tugging at Amelia’s hand. 

“We’re coming.” I sighed, shaking my head with a slight smile. 

‘I know my sister can be a lot to get used to. But I promise with time she’s less annoying… sometimes.’ I assured Amelia as we followed my family, piling into the car. 

It was a tight fit, given there were five of us. Suzie squeezed in the middle between Amelia and me in the back seat. I don’t think she minded too much. 

The whole drive home, Suzie was asking Amelia questions nonstop. She didn’t even notice Amelia didn’t answer her. My sister just rambled.

“Did you use those condoms he took? I found them in his bag before he….” Suzie was continuing her line of rambling questions when I put a hand over her mouth.

“Okay, that’s enough, Suzie.” I sighed. Amelia was turning bright pink as my little sister casually asked if we had been having sex.

“Suzie! Don’t ask questions like that. It’s not appropriate, least of all from a pup.” Mom scolded.

“Please excuse her manners, Amelia. We did teach her better, but her filter sometimes is broken.” Dad apologized with a shrug.

Amelia nodded silently as we climbed out of the car. I sighed, hurrying around the car to grab our bags from the trunk. I smiled at Amelia as she tried to take her bag from me. 

‘I can carry my bag. And do you think your family has noticed I don’t talk?’ She sighed.

‘Suzie didn’t notice anything, and she was talking too much for my parents to tell either. Now I’ll make you a deal. I’ll let you carry your bag if I get to carry you.’ I countered by raising an eyebrow.

‘W..what? No way. I’m far too….’ She started to protest, and I’m having none of her talking that way about herself.

So I left the bags on the ground and scooped her up in a bridal style. ‘Too beautiful and probably tired to walk. I agree.’ I teased.

Amelia was blushing not just because I was carrying her but because my sister was giggling on the porch while my parents simply smiled and shook their heads.

‘You’re embarrassing me.’ Amelia sighed, trying to hide her face.

‘You make it so easy and fun.’ I winked, carrying her into the house before setting her down.

“I would say this is unusual for Stephen, but given he’s just like his father, I can just warn you that Walterson men tend to be overly sweet in their treatment of their mate.” Mom assured or perhaps warned Amelia.

Amelia nodded a little wringing her hands.

“I’m going to show Amelia upstairs to our room and where the bathroom is so, she can grab a shower while I throw our clothes in the wash.” I suggested wanting to get her out of the uncomfortable situation.

“Oh, of course. I can imagine after such a long flight. Dinner will be ready soon, so we can talk over a good meal.” Mom patted Amelia’s shoulder with a smile heading for the kitchen.

I showed Amelia where our room was and the bathroom.

‘I’ll get clothes in the wash. Don’t overthink and worry. My family will love you, and we have the link so you can talk to them that way.’ I assured her, giving her a quick kiss before heading to the basement to wash clothes. 

“She’s really quiet. Did something happen? We haven’t intimidated her too much, have we? I mean, I know Suzie can be a bit much.” Mom questioned as I came back up from the basement. 

I sighed because she’s exactly where Suzie gets it.

“No, mom. It’s not that. We’ll discuss it later, okay. It’ll be easier to say it one time than repeat it.” I promised, kissing her cheek before heading back upstairs to grab a shower while Amelia got changed.

I smiled when I came into my bedroom, towel around my waist to see Amelia sitting on the bed, picking at her nails nervously. “It’s going to be okay.” I assured her as I crouched in front of her. 

‘How can you be so sure? What parents want their son mated to a girl like me?’ Amelia frowned.

‘I’m sure because they are my family. I love you, and so will they. If anything, they will think you are too good to have settled for a nobody like me.’ I smiled, cupping her cheek. 

Amelia rolled her eyes but leaned into my touch. ‘I promise they are going to adore you.’ I sighed, pressing my lips to hers before standing up.

I quickly changed into nice-ish clothes. I generally wouldn’t care too much about what I was wearing for dinner with my family. But this is dinner with Amelia. 

And she looks beautiful in an a-line round neck cream color dress with pale green floral print accenting where it narrows at her waist. I need to look at least a fraction as good as her. 

“Did you just pick that shirt to match her?” Suzie laughed as we came downstairs. I rolled my eyes, keeping my arm around Amelia. 

“I think it’s cute. You look lovely, Amelia. Of course, Stephen had to up his game from wearing whatever random tee that didn’t smell.” Mom teased, setting the last serving dish out.

“Thank mom. Feeling loved.” I sighed, pulling a chair out for Amelia before sitting next to her. 

“Well, now that we are all at the table, tell us how you met. We want to know everything.” Mom encouraged as she started portioning out pot roast, baby carrots, and potatoes on everyone’s plates.

Amelia sent me a nervous look. I nodded, taking her hand to reassure her. “Well, there are some things you will need to understand. So just listen first, and we’ll answer questions after.” I prefaced.

“Of course, son. Go ahead.” Dad nodded, looking to mom and Suzie, clearly telling them to hold their questions.

“Amelia is from the Gamma family of Madonie. Yes, the same Madonie that was at war with Incubi.” I started to explain.

“Amelia’s original mate….” I frowned, glancing at Amelia, silently wanting her permission to speak about it. She nodded.

“He was the Madonie Alpha. A cruel and psychotic male. Rather than rejecting Amelia or letting her reject him, he made her suffer. Both from abuse of the mate bond but to stop her from rejecting him… he cut off her tongue.” I choked on my words, the rage starting to boil to the surface, thinking of what Ignazio did to her.

My mother gasped, hands over her mouth with tears in her eyes as she looked across the table at Amelia. I know my mother wanted to leap from her chair and hug her.

“She was sent into Incubi with others. She had the misfortune to cross paths with Captain Darren and Alpha heir André. When I arrived as backup, she and the others had already been knocked out.” I sighed.

“It took one look at her, and I knew. She’s not a second chance, mate but something pulled Conway and me to her. I went to the hospital with her and was there when she woke up. After Captain Darren explained the best way to save her life and break the bond tethering her to her mate was for her to take a chosen mate….” I explained.

“I volunteered.”

“She was against it at first.” I smiled, squeezing her hand.

“But I was persistent and spent the next few days convincing her that I truly care for her and wanted this. Obviously we completed our chosen bond. She wasn’t affected when Alpha Alec of Incubi ended the war by killing her ex-mate.” 

“So to summarize. We are chosen mates, and Amelia can only communicate via the link or writing.” I concluded.