Claimed by My Bully Alpha (by Anna Kendra) novel Chapter 213

Chapter 213

Caroline’s POV

Tears stung my eyes, and 1 looked away, ashamed. “I didn’t know how else to handle it, Mom,” I admitted. “You’ve always wanted what’s best for me, but sometimes it feels like what you want and what I want are two very different things. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing my independence, of losing… me.”

She didn’t say anything for a moment, but then I felt her arms around me, pulling me into a hug so warm and tight that it broke something inside me. “Oh, my sweet girl,” she said, her voice thick with emotion. “I’m so sorry, I never wanted you to feel like you couldn’t talk to me, like you couldn’t trust me with your fears and your dreams. I only ever wanted to protect you.”

I clung to her, the tears spilling freely now. “I just didn’t know how to tell you, Mom,” I whispered.

She pulled back slightly, cupping my face in her hands. “Caroline, you never have to be afraid to tell me anything, no matter what it is. I promise you, I’ll listen. I’ll try to understand. And Damien…” She smiled softly, her eyes shining. “If he’s your mate, then he’s already part of this family in my heart. We’ll figure everything else out together. You don’t have to do this alone.”

Her words were a balm to my soul, easing a pain I hadn’t even realized I’d been carrying. I nodded, a small smile breaking through my tears. “Thank you, Mom. I needed to hear that.”

“And I needed to say it,” she replied, pulling me into another hug. “We’ll take things one step at a time, okay? No pressure, no rush. Just you and Damien figuring out what works for you.”

For the first time in weeks, I felt like I could breathe again. I looked up at Damien, who had been silently standing beside me, his expression tense, but now as I turned to him, I could see that he too, sighed in relief, a small, grateful smile spreading across his face.

“I can see it now, Caroline,” my mother said, her voice soft but carrying the weight of years of wisdom. She looked from me to Damien, her usual stern expression replaced by something warmer, something I hadn’t seen in a long time. “You’re old enough to make your own choices about this. I won’t put any more pressure on you to… decide sooner than you’re ready. You can mate when you feel like it, the time depends on you.”

I blinked at her, unsure if I’d heard correctly. For years, she’d been relentless–always reminding me of the family’s expectations, the legacy, the so–called duty I owed to our bloodline. And now, out of the blue, she was saying this?

“Wait–what?” I leaned forward, my voice betraying the disbelief coursing through me. “Are you serious right now? You’re actually saying I can choose when I want to be mated? No deadlines, no lectures?”

1/2

Chapter 213

Her lips twitched into a smile small but genuine. Yes, Caroline. I’ve been thinking about it, and maybe I’ve been too harsh, too… rigid. I thought I was doing what was best for you, but I see that it’s your life to live, not mine to dictate.

I stared at her, my mouth slightly open, searching her face for any sign of a trick. But there wast one. Her eyes, clear and calm, met mine with nothing but sincerity.

“Wow,” I murmured, leaning back in my chair. ‘I don’t even know what to say. This… this is a hig deal, Mom. I mean, I’ve been waiting forever to hear you say something like this.”

She nodded, her gaze dropping to her hands briefly. “I know I’ve been… difficult. I only wanted to make sure you’d have a strong partner, someone who’d stand by you no matter what. But I see now that I need to trust you to make that choice. You’ve always been smarter than I give you credit for,

Caroline.

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “Smarter than you give me credit for? That’s the understatement of the year!”

She chuckled too, and for a moment, we were just two people sharing a rare moment of mutual understanding. Then, as if she’d been saving it for the right time, she added, “And Damien… I can see why you care about him. He’s… well, I wasn’t sure at first, but he’s a good man. I can see that

now.”

My heart soared. “You mean that?”

“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.”

I swallowed hard, the unexpected emotion catching me off guard. “Thank you, Mom. Seriously. That means a lot to me… and to him. He’s been worried about how you feel.”

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