CLEANUP

Right. That made more sense.

“Your mother came to us, offering her life in exchange for your protection,” the Maiden said, her voice almost ethereal and garnering my full attention. She wore a white linen dress that probably meant to highlight some sort of innocence. Her long, dark brown hair stood out in contrast over the linen material and her chestnut eyes blinked expectantly at me.

My heart instantly dropped into my stomach, and tears burned at the back of my eyes for a woman I’d never known but had always longed for.

“She’s…” I couldn’t even say the words.

The Crone sighed. “Your mother lives. At least, last we heard. We did not take her first offering of her life. Instead, we concealed your true form and her mate bond with Jacob.”

I glanced at Atlas again, hope blossoming in me for the briefest of seconds until a realization hit me. If she were still alive, why hadn’t she come for me? After nearly three decades, why hadn’t my mother wanted me? Had Mathis and Jacob terrified her