Four months later
“Excuse me, sir, but there is someone at the door for you. He claims he is your father.”
Luis looked up from his computer at the butler as his spoon clattered to the floor. “What did you say? My father?” It had to be a mistake.
“Yes, sir. He’s officially sought sanctuary here, and has now requested I come and get you.”
Fuck. He shoved the ice cream box to the side and pushed himself to his feet. Standing up wasn’t too easy, even though he didn’t have that much of a baby belly yet.
During the past months when he’d thought about his parents, he always wondered if his father could have stopped his mother from forcing him to mate Gerome. He never knew for sure, but he never called and talked to his dad. Apparently, he was going to have that opportunity now.
He bent to pick up the spoon, then straightened his shoulders. Time to face the past.
“Bring me to him, please,” he told the butler. While he would’ve loved to wait for Gerome, his mate was on a business trip today, so he couldn’t wait for his return before going to see his father.
“If you would follow me, please.”
Luis followed the butler through the silent corridors while blood rushed in his ears. What did his father plan to say or do? Could he forgive him?
The butler led Luis to one of the bedrooms, where he left him with a nod of his head. Luis took a couple of deep breaths to steady his nerves, then knocked on the door.
“Yes?” his father’s voice came from within.
Slowly, Luis opened the door.
“Luis!” His father jumped up from the bed he’d been sitting on but stopped before hugging him. They stood in awkward silence, simply staring at each other.
Finally, Luis stepped forward and closed the door behind him. He wiped his sweaty hands on his trousers, stood still, and waited, hoping his father would say something more.
“Luis, I’m so glad to see you again. I just heard about the changes in the mating laws last week and then it took me a few days to get everything ready to leave your mother.”
His father, with a pleading expression on his face, looked at him. “I’m so, so sorry you had to endure the mating. Can I do anything to help you? I know the laws have fallen, but do you need help to get away?”
Luis took his father’s hand. “No, I don’t need help. I’m happy with Gerome, and I’m expecting a child with him. He persuaded King Harold to change the laws, and he’s been nothing but kind to me. I love him, and I’m happy with him.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. I’ve feared for you all these months. I had no means to contact you, and your mother stopped me from contacting the palace. I was afraid your mate would be angry if I contacted you, and I couldn’t get away to see you in person. I can’t apologize enough for not being able to protect you.”
“I know. It’s over now. Gerome and I are happy, and I’m glad you finally left mother. Or do you plan on going back to her?”
“No. Never. She’s not been a good mate, and I don’t see any reason why I should go back to her. The king gave us mates the chance to be free, and I fully intend to take advantage of that freedom. If I never see her again, it’s just as well. I have no feelings for her other than hate. She could’ve done a lot of things differently, but she never took the time to listen.”
“I’m sorry you had to go through it. I really am. I wish I could have done something sooner.”
His father smiled at him. “You did. You changed our society. And maybe you can forgive me one day and let me be a part of your life.”
“Of course, I forgive you. It wasn’t your fault.”
“Thank you.”
Luis pulled his father into a tight hug, even though his stomach got in the way. He never expected his father to come around, apologize, and ask to spend time with him, but ever since his mother showed her true colors, many things began to make sense. Perhaps his father would be a different person now that he was free.
“Thank you so much for caring. It means the world to me.”
“Thank you for forgiving me so easily.” He pulled Luis close again. “Now tell me what I’ve missed. I want to hear everything about you and Gerome. Do you think I can meet him one day?”
“Let’s sit down, and I’ll tell you everything. And yes, you can meet him. I’ll introduce you as soon as he’s home this evening.”
“Thank you so much.”
His father released him, they sat down at the small table, and Luis started at the beginning.
He was happy. His father was free to spend time with him, and the baby he carried would have another grandfather as well.