Chapter 405


    Lanie


    My vampire running skills were far from being perfected, and I’d had to slow down halfway home to


    catch my breath. I made it the rest of the way in decent time, though. Xander and Mason showed up


    outside our


    door at the same time.


    We greeted each other briefly with hugs and kisses, but then I pushed open the door. I was eager to


    get inside, terrified of what I might find.


    In all the things I’d imagined, the sight that greeted me was not one of them.


    “Hello, Mother.” A willowy young woman with Xander’s smile stood up from the table.


    Zane had been sitting across from her, and he stood up, too. He didn’t say anything, not even through


    our


    mind link. He didn’t look half as confused as our other two mates.


    Xander’s jaw dropped. “Huh?”


    Mason took a few automatic steps forward, his fists up before he caught himself and put them back at


    his sides. “Ste?”


    “Mother, Daddy, Abba. It’s really me.”


    “Did you get in touch with your mom?” Zane asked Xander.


    “She didn’t answer.” Xander sounded full of wonder.


    He crossed the room and took both of Ste’s hands in his as he looked her up and down. “I can’t


    believe


    this.”


    She looked past him to me, and her expression creased. “Mother?”


    “I’m here, baby.” I flew to her and gathered her into a hug.


    My arms might not have been used to the size of her but she could never outgrow the space in my


    heart.


    Ste wept, and I joined in. Happy tears? Scared? It was hard to tell, but we rocked together as she


    held onto me as tightly as she ever had as an infant.


    “I love you, Ste, my little star. My precious angel.


    You could be a hundred feet tall, and you’d still be my little girl.


    Sheughed through her so bs. “Papa already asked if I was going to get to be the size of a Giant!”


    I held her at arms’ length and pretended to give her a stern look. “Well, are you?”


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    Chapter 405


    Mason came up behind us. “Can anyone tell me what in the world is going on?”


    “You told us she was going to surprise us, but I didn’t expect this.” Xander pinched the bridge of his


    nose.


    “I need a drink,” Mason said. “Whiskey, anyone?”


    Xander raised a hand. “Me.”


    Zane did the same, and after a moment, so did I. A second after him, so did Ste.


    “You might be taller,” Xander told her, “but I’m not sure I’m ready for you to be tossing back shots.”


    Steughed and dipped her head. “Oh, Daddy.”


    “Oh, Daddy,’ she says.” Xander shook his head and crossed to the small bar cart to pour everyone a


    round.


    “Like I’m the one being unreasonable!”


    His words were strong, but his tone was teasing.


    We all gathered around to toss back a single shot of whiskey, our newly grownup daughter included.


    This was a celebration, after all, even if the three parents weren’t quite sure what it all meant.


    Ste shuddered. “Ew. I think that’s enough for me.


    I’m sure you all have many questions. Mother…it might be best if you start off sharing what you already


    know?”


    Heat rushed into my face as my three mates turned to look at me. I swallowed hard. “About that…” N?velDrama.Org holds this content.


    Xander frowned. “Lanie, was there something you weren’t sharing with us?”


    I knew he was thinking that it wouldn’t have been the first time. I lifted my chin to meet his gaze


    squarely with mine. “I was trying to find out some more information and get some confirmation from my


    grandfather before I told you things that might not be true. I found a book…”


    I wasn’t sure what else to say. All three of my mates were glowering at me, and I supposed I couldn’t


    me them. “I’m sorry, my loves. I just didn’t want to worry you if what I was reading turned out to be


    fiction. And then there was the power surge and everything else, and we all got distracted, and I guess


    I was just


    trying to take things one step at a time.”


    “It’s the only way to take things, sweetheart,” Zane murmured.


    “But we’re supposed to take those steps together.”


    Xander sounded a little angry but a lot more disappointed, and that made me feel worse than if he’d


    screamed at me.


    Mason was the only one toe and put his arms around me. He pressed his forehead to my temple


    and both of us stared at the woman who’d once been our little girl…and ours alone. Back in the days


    when I’d forgotten the rest of my life. When the three of us had been a little family all on our own.


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    Chapter 405


    Chapter 405


    Xander and Zane loved Ste, but Mason had been her father before either of them even knew she


    existed.


    have.”


    “I understand, love,” he thought to me privately.


    “Where is this book? I want to read it?” Xander demanded.


    “It disappeared,” I said.


    “And it won’te back,” Ste said. “Because you don’t need it anymore. I’ll answer any questions


    you


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