Chapter 20 Mothers Know Best

Kiaria

My father was seated at our favorite booth busy typing on his laptop. I coughed to grab his attention and he raised his finger to give him a moment to finish whatever it was he was typing.

"Press on send and I'm done. You have my full attention," my dad said while closing his laptop and placing it in his bag. After he pushed his belongings to the side, he waved his hand for us to sit in front of him. "By the way, Io, that was an email regarding my investment for the mass production of your wines. Attached is the necessary documents you need to read. If you want certain clauses changed, just send me an email," he said. He clapped his hands and rubbed them together. "Okay, so what is so important, Kiaria, that you had to ask me to come here during work?"

"Where's Mom?" I asked. He raised his eyebrows at me.

"She's in the kitchen making us some snacks," my dad answered then bent his head to stare on the ring on my finger. "Is that an engagement ring?! Kiaria, is that what this is all about?! You are engaged?!" He said in a voice just above a whisper so no one else could hear. I nodded my head to answer all his questions and he leaned back and stared at the both of us with an uncertain expression on his face. "Don't you two think it's too soon? Can't you at least wait for a month to pass before you two decide to tie the knot?" Io coughed, patted my thigh, and took over.

"Winston, I understand your qualms regarding getting married so soon, however the longer we wait, the weaker Kiaria becomes which is also true for me and my pack. If our mating ceremony is delayed, I will become weak and because my pack draws strength from me, they too will become weak. We can not postpone the inevitable. It will happen so why postpone it to a later date? There is no better time than now. You have to understand Kiaria and I are fated mates. I don't see where your aversion to marriage comes from. I will be vowing to your daughter in front of family and friends that I will love and cherish her forever, that I will never leave her. And Winston, I always keep my promises. Shouldn't you be happy for your daughter?" Io asked my father.

"What is going on?" I froze when I heard my mother's voice. KIARIA, WHY IS THERE A SAPPHIRE RING ON YOUR FINGER?!" Everyone in the bistro turned to look at all of us. I felt myself turn red and I glanced to my side to check on Io. He seemed unperturbed by my mother's outburst.

"Sakura, please join us. We have something to tell you," Io said while I tried to hide my face from my mom.

"Don't you Sakura me, young man," my mother hissed at Io for being too casual. "Winston, scoot over," she instructed my father so she could sit down. "Now, answer my question, are the both of you engaged to be married?" My mother asked incredulously.

Io grabbed my hand and squeezed it to give me some confidence.

"Kiaria, you must voice your decision to wed. Io isn't the only wolf in this relationship. Both of you make a whole, thus you must speak in your behalf," Selene growled at me to force me to speak. I opened my mouth and tried to say something, but I was so nervous. "Say something, Kiaria. The Kiaria I know is no coward. There will be greater obstacles than this in your future. You must say something. SAY SOMETHING NOW!" Selene yelled at me. I sat up straight and cleared my throat.

"Mom, yes, we are engaged to be married. I know what you're going to say. I'm just eighteen, we only met yesterday, and you don't care if we are wolves, but that's just it, Mom...Io and I," I pointed at the both of us, "we are wolves. I have a voice in my head, I can see the future and now I have found my fated mate. I can't explain it, Mom, but it feels right. I need to be with him like he needs to be with me. When we're apart, it feels something in my life is missing. Getting married and being mated is the most logical thing to do. We would like to be formally joined in front of God and in front of the Moon Goddess. Just because I'm married doesn't mean I'm going to stop going to school and leave. We just want our union to be blessed. It'll make the both of us feel better if we go through both ceremonies. And no, Mom, I'm not getting married because I'm pregnant, I'm getting married because I want everyone to see the both of us as partners," I hurriedly explained. I knew if I hesitated I'd fumble and my mother would see through me and know I doubted all of this. But that doubt stemmed from the human side of me. It was what I was taught all these years. Yet, deep down inside, the wolf in me knew that this was right. I just couldn't explain it. It looked as though it didn't make any sense. It sounded crazy even. But as the saying goes, "In a world full of madness, only the crazy are sane."

My mom looked at me skeptically. "Are you sure about this, Kiaria?"

"I'm sure, Mom. You said last night when I felt it was the right time, you would give me your blessing. Mom, please, agree to this and give us your blessing," I practically begged her. She crossed her arms in front of her like I shouldn't have taken her at her word.

"Once you marry, there is no turning back. If you do, you become a Divorcee. Have you signed a pre-nup?" My mom asked, her eyes turning into slits.

"No, Mrs. Wright. What is mine is hers...like it should be," Io answered my mother. My mother turned to my father.

"Did you know about this, Winston? You know, this is your fault. If you hadn't gone looking for him, Kiaria wouldn't be getting married." Mom blamed Dad. That I didn't expect. "So when will you be getting married?"

"One moment. Let me check my-..." Io took his phone out from his pocket and checked his messages. "Unfortunately, the Mayor is not available tomorrow morning or afternoon. He can officiate late at night or Friday. When would you prefer, Kiaria?" My mom stared at us with her mouth open. She couldn't believe we were planning to get married so soon.

"T-t-tomorrow or Friday? Why are the both of you in such a hurry?" Her face showed her sadness and desperation. I felt terrible I was doing this to my own mother.

"Kiaria, hold your mother's hand. Quickly now," Selene said. I quickly took my mom's hand as instructed by Selene. A white light began to emanate from my hand and that light flowed from mine to my mother's.

Her eyes began to glow just like when I was in the bathroom at school focusing on my future with Io. She gasped, her face showing her astonishment, but as the light which flowed from me to her became brighter, her face turned into understanding. A tear suddenly fell from the corner of her right eye.

When the light disappeared and her eyes became dark once more, she turned to my dad and hugged him. My dad heaved a sigh of relief and hugged her back.

"I saw her. Kiaria's mother. She said it is time for Kiaria to join her own kind. She is happy we raised Kiaria in the ways of humans. It has given Kiaria a perspective she herself lacked," my mother said to my father. I gasped in shock. My mom had spoken to my biological mother. "She's very proud of you, Kiaria. Even if we aren't your true parents, you have loved us as such. Oh my baby, I love you, too." My mom reached over, gave me a hug and kissed me on my cheek. "Remember, I will always be your mom. If you ever need my help, I will always be here."

"I love you, Mom and I will never leave you." I hugged her so hard. She was one person I looked up to. We both sat back down, smiling. "So, will you give us your blessing and allow us to get married?"

"Yes. I understand now. This is just the beginning. We need to help the wolves and one way is to make you stronger. Your fated mate and the bond that ties you together will give you your strength," she said. "Well, mothers know best right? I always knew you were destined for great things."

"Thanks Mom." I patted her on the hand.

She paused and looked up at the ceiling, trying to find the right words to tell me what she truly felt. When she lowered her eyes to stare into mine, her eyes were full of tears. "I'm sorry, Kiaria. I just feel like I'm losing my baby, that's all." My mother's lips quivered as she finally admitted what she was feeling. She was suffering from separation anxiety like she did when I was a small girl. I grabbed her hand and held it, so she would know I would never let go.

"As I said before, you are not losing a daughter, but you are gaining a son," Io said reassuringly. "I will make sure Kiaria finishes her education and I assure you, one day, she will make you very proud of what she has accomplished. So, Kiaria, when do you want to get married so I can tell the Mayor?" My mother raised her hand after drying her eyes.

"C-can the both of you get married on Friday? I assume, Io, your parents have to fly in and there are so many things to prepare. Wedding gown, cake, venue, guest list, food and the list goes on. To tell you honestly, a wedding is hard to plan," my mother said.

"Friday is fine and, Sakura, I have taken the liberty to procure everything. This wedding will be simple. We can plan a grand wedding in the furture for the renewal of our vows. How does that sound?" My mom and dad nodded their head, agreeing with Io.

You said something about a mating ceremony? When will that happen?" My dad asked.

"This weekend or next week. I still have to get the details, but please free up your schedule because I will be flying all of you to Sacred Moon territory."

"Finally, a vacation. Something I've wanted for so long," my mom said, standing up. The expression on her face suddenly changed to her business face. "Now, move the both of you. I want the number of guests so I can make a menu and I want to see the venue. I also want to see the gown, the color motifs and the list of people for the entourage." It was my turn to stare at her with my mouth open. "What? My only daughter deserves only the best! Even if this is just going to be a simple wedding."

I glanced at Io. He was all smiles.