CHAPTER 14 Why?

I woke up with a severe headache. When I turned over, I noticed a pill and a cup of water along with a note on the table.

I sat up and took the pill, washing it down with a sip of water. Then, I turned to read the note.

"Sorry, I wasn't there when you woke up. I have very important business to attend to. You probably don't remember last night's funny event.

Love from Aithne Bryant, alias Dylan ❤❤"

I furrowed my brows in confusion. What had happened last night? Oh no, what had I said when I was drunk?

I took a little of the pink liquid that Jeremy had given me, got dressed, and headed downstairs for breakfast.

Caytln seemed tense when she saw me.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"Nothing," she said quickly.

"Caytln? What's wrong?"

"Your mom is here, and she has been visiting you lately, but we told her you didn't want to see her," she explained in a hurried manner, as if she had fire in her mouth.

"Oh?" I didn't know what to say. I realized I couldn't keep avoiding her forever; I needed to talk to her and get some answers.

"Where is she?" I asked.

"You want to talk to her?" Caytln questioned.

"Yeah, I'll have to talk to her eventually. I have questions to ask her."

"Okay. She's in the study."

"I'll have my breakfast later," I told Caytln before heading to the study.

I stepped into the large study. My mother's eyes, which were focused on a book, immediately shifted to me. A warm smile lit up her face as she gracefully closed the book and walked over to me, pulling me into a tight hug. In that moment, I felt a sense of home, safety, and protection.

"Oh, dear. I am happy you finally decided to see me," she said with a smile, but I could see the pain in her eyes, which made me feel guilty.

"I have some questions to ask you," I began.

"Of course, dear. Let's have a seat," she replied, leading me to a chair.

"Okay. Ask away, dear."

"Why did you have to leave? How are you one of them? Why did you leave me to suffer in pain? Why did you have to fake your death?" I asked, unable to hold back the questions that had been burning inside me.

She looked at me, her face filled with pain and guilt.

"My parents are very important in our coterie. My mother was like me; she fell in love with a human before she was to be changed. She begged the royals to give her a chance with him, but in return, he and her child would be changed," she explained, her voice heavy with sadness.

"She accepted it, and then I fell in love with Daniel before I was to be changed, and I chose to be with your father. We then had you. The royals found out about my life, and they wanted you to be changed. I told them I couldn't. They told me that if I couldn't, I'd have to give up my life here and be changed. I chose that because I didn't want to see you turn into a monster."

"I didn't mean to cause you so much pain. I am so sorry," she said, her voice breaking.

I walked over to her and hugged her tightly. I felt overwhelmed with guilt; I had been angry at her without understanding her side of the story.

She broke down into tears in my arms, and I patted her back, offering comfort and forgiveness.