Chapter 11 – Confession

"If anyone can overcome this, it's you mija," she continued, surprising me further with the affectionate term she so rarely used. "You clawed your way back from the pits of hell that monster sent you to. This is just another test to prove how far you've risen above your demons."

Both Enzo, my fiance and Blaze the twins Father.

Because I they ever find out....

"Thank you, Mama," I replied thickly, using the childish endearment I hadn't uttered in ages. "You don't know how much it means to hear you say that."

A hint of a real smile ghosted across her regal features before the usual inscrutable mask slipped back into place. "Of course. You're my blood after all - a true Villanueva queen. We don't back down from any challenge."

I returned her smile, feeling a sense of clarity and purpose steady my resolve. Mother was right - I had survived far worse than some supernatural identity crisis. Whatever confusing new impulses were stirring, I would face them head-on and emerge victorious. It's what our family did.

"So," she began briskly. "Tell me more about this shadow wolf making waves again after all these years. Does your marginally competent husband at least have a lead on containing the situation?"

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the backhanded insult to Enzo, but I knew better than to take the bait this time.

"Not yet," I admitted with a weary sigh, raking a hand through my hair. "Truth is, I'm not even sure there is a 'situation' to contain yet. These...urges I've been feeling could just be some imbalance in my wolf side resurfacing randomly after being dormant for so long."

Mother's eyes narrowed shrewdly. "You and I both know better than to dismiss gut instincts so easily, Selena. Clearly this alpha's return is the trigger awakening your primal impulses again, whether you want to accept it yet or not."

As usual, she made an infuriatingly valid point. I had been so determined to keep the past buried and immerse myself fully in my life with Enzo that I had stubbornly tried to rationalize away the disquieting feelings. But perhaps I could no longer ignore the reality staring me in the face.

"You think Blaze is making a move, then?" I asked heavily. "Trying to upend the life I've built away from him?"

"It would be naïve to assume otherwise,"

Mother answered flatly. "That sadistic pup was obsessed with owning you completely, mind, body and warped soul. He won't simply let his prized possession go without enacting some fresh torment first."

Her harsh assessment made me shudder despite myself. She was right - during my imprisonment with Blaze's pack, he had taken deranged pleasure in utterly breaking me down by any means necessary, both emotional and physical. To him, I had simply been a coveted prize to claim total dominance over.

The fact that I had eventually gathered what little strength remained and escaped had surely been an insufferable insult in his eyes. Of course he would want vengeance for such defiance, no matter how many years had passed.

"Okay," I said, drawing a fortifying breath and leveling my mother with a resolved look. "Say Blaze is making a move against us. What would your advice be for handling the situation? You know me better than anyone - how do I get a grip on these impulses he's digging up?"

A glint of approval flashed in Mother's eyes at my resolute pragmatism. She steepled her fingers pensively, clearly weighing her counsel carefully.

"First and foremost," she began in a tone that brokered no argument. "You must maintain a united front with your family, especially that alpha of yours. Any fractures or discord between you will only leave vulnerabilities for Blaze to further exploit with mind games and manipulation. He understands wolfbonded mates' emotional weaknesses better than anyone."

I bit my lip, feeling a pang of guilt over how I had already started to shut Enzo out over these bizarre urges. Surely that had only left openings for Blaze to make his twisted incursions into my psyche unchallenged so far.

"You're right," I said heavily. "I've already started pulling away from Enzo without even realizing it was playing right into Blaze's hands. I need to be honest with him, let him help secure me."

"Indeed." Mother's voice remained measured but took on a more gentle tone. "That boy isn't my first preference for you, but he did show his tenacity in finally proving himself a capable partner. Don't let past trauma undermine the sanctuary you've built together."

The undisguised acceptance of my choice in Enzo made me blink back more ridiculous tears. Mother and I had been like oil and water ever since my defection to the Falcone crew. To have her validate my partnership now meant the world.

"I won't," I promised fervently. "Enzo save us, we'll be forever greatful, he is now my rock, my home. Nothing will ever change that, not even this fresh hell."

A ghost of a smile played on Mother's lips again as she reached across the desk to grip my hand firmly.

"That's my fierce daughter," she stated with finality. "The Thorn Queen who survived hatred and torment to forge her own path with the only ally willing to match her strength. You just needed to remember who you are at your core."

I squeezed her hand back tightly, a renewed sense of invincible determination coursing through me. Mother was right - whatever new sickness Blaze was trying to inflict would fail spectacularly.

Because this time, I wouldn't be a naive, insecure pup blindly falling into his sadistic traps. This time, I was Selena Falcone - battle-tested, unbreakable, with the most powerful forces in the city solidly at my back.

This time, the shadow alpha didn't stand a chance against me.

So with a united front alongside Enzo and the might of Mother's own resources, I would dismantle whatever ploy Blaze was concocting. Then that pathetic bastard would finally understand the grave miscalculation he made in trying to break me twice.

...

"I've been having...a difficult time as of late," I answered vaguely, moving to take a seat across from her desk. "I found myself simply needing to return home, if only for a brief respite."

"I see." Mother's perfectly arched brows rose ever so slightly. "Does this 'difficult time' have anything to do with your alpha and his Shadow pack?"

My jaw clenched at her dismissive jab at my mate, even if part of me was giving her point credence. "Enzo isn't the problem, Mother, Blaze is."

"Of course not." Her tone blatantly contradicted her words. "Because aligning yourself with those Lord Enzo is the right thing to save our family." She paused. " Blaze is the problem. I regretting having a one night stand with their kind. Wolves.

I opened my mouth to protest the insult to my chosen family, but Mother barreled on before I could speak.

"You gave up everything - your pride, your identity, your wolf - all to save the Thorn Queens. You are our pride."

My cheeks flushed with pride, despite how happy I am to hear I helped her.

"That's not all, you know it!" I burst out. "Enzo loved me dearly, he's obsessed with me. And I can't help but love Enzo too, even if you've never understood that."

My mother appraised me shrewdly, an edge of disdain pulling at her perfectly carved lips.

"Yes, your...grand amour," she drawled derisively. "Forgive me."

My mother's gaze softened slightly at seeing my pained reaction to her barbs. With a weary sigh, she waved a dismissive hand.

"Very well, let's table that discussion for now. I can see this situation with the shadow wolf has you quite unsettled already without my adding to it." She fixed me with a pointed look. "Why don't you go spend some time with the little ones? I'm sure that will help settle your mind."

I felt myself reflexively tense at the mention of my twin children, Ciro and Talia. They remained the sole vulnerability Blaze could utterly demolish me with if he ever discovered their existence.

But a grateful smile tugged at my lips as I met Mother's understanding gaze. Of course she knew the healing balm only a mother's bond with her children could provide.

"Yeah, exactly the twins are the right cure I needed in my situation," I answered, already feeling at ease. "Lead the way Mama, it's been a while since I hugged them, I'm jealous of you..." I pouted.

"Okay are you then I suggest you go live with these power rangers of yours!" She teased, laughing.

"No, I would gracefully leave them in your care."

"This way mija." Mother rose smoothly and came around the desk, her posture and commanding presence every inch that of the infamous Thorn Queen persona.

But her tone was warm and indulgent as she wrapped an arm around my shoulders, guiding me towards the door.

"Come, let's not keep my favorite piccolinos waiting a moment longer. They keep whining to meet you already."