Page 79 of Fractured Mates

He’s right. I was nothing when I killed his son. I was a lowly wolf shifter in a massive pack. I might have never become anything, and just a week ago, Astor’s words might have had the power to weaken me, but not today. Not any longer.

I’m not pathetic.

I used to hate the fates for pairing me with such a horrible mate, while deep down wondering if it was what I deserved, but now, I can see the truth.

The fates didn’t send me a shitty mate because I’m unwanted or unworthy. They sent Thane to me because I’m strong enough to end their fucked-up family, and I’m going to. Right the hell now.

Chapter Thirty-One

Sophie

Idon’t have to tell Kyler that we’re ready to attack. He’s moving before I am, shifting into his wolf right in the middle of the room. I’m tempted to do the same, but I watch Astor. When he stays in his human form, I have no problem doing the same.

Out of the corner of my eye, I catch River carrying Jules out of the room, and I’m grateful that he’s keeping her safe but also disappointed that he’s not going to be able to help right away in the fight. We’re severely outnumbered, but there’s no backing down at this point.

Before anyone else can shift, Kyler’s wolf has already shredded the stomachs and throats of two others. Maybe we won’t be outnumbered for long.

Astor reaches for where Jules was just seconds ago, but he’s missed his chance at using my sister as his shield.

I reach for the knife behind my back, grip it tightly between my fingers, then punch the asshole in the face, the hilt of the blade acting like a fist pack and deepening the impact of my hit.

Astor seems to be prepared for that, because he grabs my wrist and forces my hand to turn back toward me. “You should have stabbed me while you had the chance.”

Instead of allowing the knife to puncture my chest, I release the blade, letting it fall to the ground. But it’s not the only one in play. Astor already slit my father’s throat, and I see him reaching toward his suitcoat, likely wanting to kill me the same way.

Moving for the other knives I have on me, I realize I’m not going to be quick enough and instead start to do a partial shift. My claws are better than a blade any day.

Except before I can swipe out, I’m shoved out of the way, landing on my hip with a hard thud. When I look up, I expect to be glaring at Kyler, but it’s not him.

It’s my mother.

She’s standing there, her body tangled with Astor’s as they fall to the floor. I expect her to push away from him once they land, but instead, she leans into him like he’s the love of her life, nuzzling the side of her face against his chest.

Yet she and my father were fated mates. How could she care for this monster of a man? How could she have let him touch her, see what he’s done, and still seem to be affectionate with him?

Disdain for the woman who gave me life rises up until I can no longer contain my emotions. With a roar that rumbles through the room, I get to my feet and charge forward, but as I’m about to attack them both, everything changes.

Astor shoves my mother off of him, and she’s rolled over. The knife that had been intended for me is protruding from her chest.

Our gazes lock for the briefest of seconds as she whispers, “I’m sorry, baby girl.”

I’m paralyzed. I can’t move. Had that been affection I saw on her face? Was it the peace that her fight was over? I don’t think I’ll ever know, but I can see now that she sacrificed herself to save me. After all this time, she finally chose me.

And now she’s dying.

What have I done?

No, not me. Astor. This isn’t my fault. It’s his. For being a Class A prick, for raising his son to be just like him, and for not walking away while he had the chance.

There’s no saving my mother, but I offer her a solace, even if she may not deserve it.

I kneel at her side and hold her hand for the brief second that I have. “It’s okay, Mom. I forgive you, and I’ll take care of Jules.”

Her eyes flutter closed as she attempts to nod. Her lips part, but no more words leave her mouth. Just like that, both of my parents are dead.

Now, it’s time to make sure this son of a bitch can never hurt another person.

Except I’ve allowed myself to be distracted for too long.