Mates Minis

Ch. 17

"Thanks." He said, "Think she'd want to grab lunch or something?"

"She has class right now, but I'm sure if you text her she can tell you her schedule." I replied.

He nodded and took off after that.

I turned and faced Carrie now, "My apologies Ms Carrie, I shouldn't have spoken out of turn at your home."

She seamlessly brushed my words to the side, "You said what had to be said to protect your Mate...and I adore you for it...come on in, I'll get you something to drink and we can talk."

_____

"I'm so glad you came." Trace said as he hugged Yvonne tightly before they broke apart and she turned to me now and hugged me.

It was unexpected as we've never been close (since I grew up away from them) but it was absolutely welcome."Hey Sis...let me get your bags for you."

"Those can wait...I want to meet your mates." She smiled at Zoe and winked. "Of course I already now this peanut." She giggled a little and hugged Zoe.

"It's great to see you Vonnie...Mo's pissed she couldn't be here and show off her mate."

"Mate... Morgan has a mate?" Yvonne asked shocked.

Zoe nodded, I'll tell you all about him later.

"Yes and my Valerie is upset that she couldn't be here and apologizes, but her sister is getting married soon and my mate is the maid of honor so she's away for the weekend." Of course we all picked up on the longing in Trace's voice.

"Well I'll be glad to meet her another time." Our sister smiled.

I moved to get her bags from the car while Trace took the girls inside.

I was surprised when Yvonne showed up without her Mate...but relieved to say the least.

I went back in and walked her bags up the stairs as Yvonne had decided to stay the weekend...we wanted to catch up with her and see how everything was before even broaching the topic of the clinic.

But upon reaching Yvonne's old room I let myself in and placed her bags on the side of her bed... afterward I couldn't help but look around. She had pictures and trinkets everywhere that told a story of who she was.

On her old vanity table, small photos decorated the edges of her mirror while old lipglosses, eyeshadows and nail polishes lined the table neatly.

Her large bookshelf housed worn out books, more pictures, alongside ribbons and trophies from various endevors such as dance and science projects.

"Hey there you are." Yvonne's voice sounded from behind me now.

I could feel my ears heating as embarrasment set in on being caught snooping. "Sorry, I wasn't allowed in here when we were kids."

She shrugged and walked over to the window now, delicately placing her hands caringly upon the string of old ballet shoes hanging on the wall.

"Funny how time passes us by and some things always remain the same...like our childhood bedrooms." She smiled. "Just reminds us where we are in life and how far we've come."

I nodded.

She sighed and walked over to the bed, "Sorry if I ever came off like a bitch towards you at all Ry..."

I shook my head, "You weren't."

"I'm sure I was, but lets not fuss over it...how're you settling in as Beta?"

"It's got it's challanges but nothing I haven't been able to handle yet... but I know trying times will come and I just hope I can keep a level head and work with Trace to get our pack through it all."

She nodded, "Sorry I reacted the way I did when I found out you and Trace were named Alpha and Beta...I promise it wasn't what it looked like...it was never truly about me or my mate taking a position...it was more about Dad not being here any more...I freaked out, ya know, I mean it's Dad...he was always there when we needed him, he was strong, and confident and those final days...he was so weak and confused...it was hard to see him like that."

I nodded, "I know what you mean, it was hard for me too." I admitted. "Not growing up here like the rest of you means I wasn't as close to him as you all got to be, I mean I had my moments growing up wondering why I wasn't 'good enough' to get to live with dad... why he 'picked' you all instead of me...then there was anger for him cheating on my mom...but when I saw him there that final day...all of it went away... the anger, the bottled up resentment, none of it mattered because there was dad, dying and there was nothing I could do to help him other than forgive him."

Yvonne and I stayed up in her room and talked until we were finally called down to join everyone for dinner.