Chapter 48: Standing Up For a Mate

Azandra POV

She took a deep breath, facing her parents at last, both of them, in front of most of her new family. Anneliese was there, and she was close to Lilia.

It was now or never. Her palms sweated. Her ears grew hot. Her throat went dry. She couldn’t do this.

She would do this. She had to do this.

For a moment, she stood silently, studying her parents. Titania looked as dignified as ever, with that “keep calm and carry on” face. Ransome held her hand, still adorably, impossibly devoted to her. Azandra’s parents might irritate, frustrate, and drive her over the brink of insanity, but she couldn’t deny that they loved each other.

“I see you holding hands,” she began. “You’ve never hesitated to show your love for each other. It’s one of the constants in my life … well, that and never quite measuring up. I don’t mind you having high standards, but you have to realize that I want different things in my life than you do. And yet, I want the same thing. A loving mate.”