Butterscotch Souls: The Morningstar Series: Book 4
Butterscotch Souls – Chapter 11

When that guy that was with Ambrose, Nick I think he said he name was, told me that Ambrose really is a Morningstar, I was frozen. I was just arguing with a Morningstar. I was ready to pounce on him until he gave me back my necklace. And he has been a Morningstar this whole time.

I lost my virginity to a Morningstar. I have a son with a Morningstar. Holy f*****g s**t.

The thought kept flowing in my head and when Ambrose demanded, once again, that I give him my keys and this time I did. I was too stunned to move afterwards though. Ambrose grabbed my hand, tingles shot up my arm but I couldn’t focus on them.

Then he practically dragged me to the passenger seat and helped me into the car. He even put my seatbelt on for me. All the while, I stared striaght ahead trying to come to terms with the fact that my son is a Morningstar.

After Ambrose started to drive he was mumbling something but it was hard to focus. He asked how I was able to drive the car around without being found and I told him that the plates are fake. Then he kept saying he was taking me home, to our place.

Honestly, home sounded amazing. Our place sounded amazing. Over these years I always thought about Ambrose. It was hard not to when I was carrying around his mini me. But never would I have thought that I would be going home with him.

Still, I couldn’t have a home. Tate and I couldn’t have a home. Ambrose might be a Morningstar but there are Gods after me. So, I faked anger to use as an excuse to try to leave.

I told Ambrose to stop referring to his place as our home. He wouldn’t budge and I tried to ask him why he was doing this. Just because we share a son doesn’t mean that we are his problem. I have been taking care of Tate and myself for longer than our son’s life. We would be fine.

Then Ambrose pulled the car over. The look in his eyes when he told me that I will always be worth it had me weak in the knees. Especially when he included our son in that. Good thing I was already sitting down. When I told him I still didn’t understand I was being honest. I’m nothing special, he could have anyone he wants.

Why me? Maybe it’s a wolf thing that makes him feel obligated to take care of us. But then Ambrose said the one thing that really shook up my life.

We are mates.

I have a mate. A mate that I had met five years ago. A mate I had left. We created a son together and I had no idea that we were mates.

It explains the pull I felt to him from the beginning though. And the way he makes me feel now. And the simple fact that I’m going with him so willingly.

After he told me that, I was quiet. This was too much. Ten minutes ago I was mateless and running around the country with my son.

All it took was ten minutes for my life to flip upside down. I have no idea what kind of power the Morningstar’s really have but I know it’s a lot. Which means Tate and I were not leaving anytime soon, if at all.

Mates are taken very seriously in the supernatural world. Especially to Werewolves, of which my mate apparently is. There’s no way in Hell that Ambrose will let us leave. Maybe after I explain everything to him he’ll send me on my way out of fear. I come with too much baggage, scary baggage.

A short while later we turned down a dirt road that is surrounded by trees. The forest here is so lush and pretty. We reached gates that were being guarded by quiet a few people. I commented about them taking patrol seriously here and that was when Ambrose told me that this is not a pack but a school. Tate had gasped and I could only guess how excited that made him. Kid has been begging me to go to school for months.

Tate and I practically had our faces pressed to the windows as we looked at everything. There are a lot of buildings here. All houses, until we drove by the unbelievably large school. Holy s**t, that place is bigger than the lab I was raised in.

Ambrose drove past it and up to a cute small house. A girl that looks a bit like my apparent mate was standing on the porch. She and Ambrose shared a look before she nodded and walked past the car without looking at me or my son.

My Gods, she is a pretty women. I asked Ambrose who she is and he told me that she is his sister, that he asked to help put things in the house for us.

It was weird that I was about to share a house with the father of my child. Tate and I walked up the steps of the porch hand in hand. I could tell that my son is excited but I was a nervous wreck.

At any moment someone could try to take us and I wouldn’t know about it since Ambrose still had my necklace. Although, there is something about him that makes me feel safe.

Once we walked in Tate and I stood awkardly in the doorway. Ambrose walked around us and told Tate that all the toys are his to play with. Then he rushed to the kitchen and threw something in the microwave.

After it was heated up I noticed it was b***d that he was putting in a kids cup with a straw for our son. Horror shot through me and I felt awful when Ambrose eyes showed hurt. He explained to me that Tate needs it. And he was right.

Many b***d bags later Tate and Ambrose were talking about anything and everything. We were all sitting in the kitchen and I was just watching my son interact with his father. It makes my heart feel more full than I would like to admit.

Ambrose is so good with Tate, and I can see it in his eyes that he loves his son already. My heart broke as the realization that I robbed them both of a relationship hit me. I always knew but seeing it now was damn near unbearable.

As long as we are here I should let them have as much time as possible. Who knows at this point how long we have together. I still wasn’t convinced that Ambrose could protect us from Gods, even though he seemed to be confident about it.

At this point the only thing I care about is Tate being safe. As long as whoever is after me doesn’t know about him he’ll be safe.

I was barely paying attention to their conversation until I heard Ambrose ask what kind of magic Tate has done. My son’s face looked worried and he turned to me. His eyes begged me for help. I could tell that Tate really valued how his father sees him already, even if he doesn’t know that Ambrose is his dad yet. Tate didn’t want to tell him how he killed someone when he knew it was wrong.

What would Ambrose think of his son when he finds out that Tate has killed two people in the last month?

Thankfully I was here to save my son. I snatched him up and suggested we get washed up for bed. Ambrose immediately stood up and said something about dinner. I was used to not eating as much as I should that dinner didn’t cross my mind really.

Especially after having my son, who eats nonstop. I wanted to argue with Ambrose, to tell him that we would be fine, but I knew that my son wanted to eat. When I turned around to see the hopeful look in Ambrose’s eyes the words died on my lips. Then he noticed how tired I had been. I didn’t want to tell him how long I had been driving but my son apparently has a new favorite parent.

Ambrose offered for me to take a nap and I panicked a little. I can’t just leave Tate can I? Ambrose is his father, and he makes me feel more safe than I ever have before, even now. He’s also my mate.

Ambrose wouldn’t hurt us. That was something I was sure of. Although, I wasn’t really sure how to tell Tate that this man is his father. My son isn’t stupid though, he recognized the name Ambrose as his middle name, and he can tell that Ambrose looks just like him.

My mate stared at me letting me know the decision was up to me if I wanted to tell Tate or not. I could see that Ambrose wanted him to know and I felt that I had robbed them enough of their relationship. Tate is smarter than anyone gives him credit for. He’s had a rough life so far.

My son not only has street smarts but I taught him a lot as well. So, I decided to come clean to my son. I knew Tate had questions but he was going to wait until it was just the two of us to ask them.

When Ambrose awkwardly told Tate that he didn’t have to call him dad yet I was holding back laughter. It was comical to see such a huge hunk of a man be awkward over anything, especially when it was over a five year old.

Thankfully for Ambrose, Tate was not shy. He’s wanted a dad his whole little life. I always felt terrible that I couldn’t give that to him.

Ambrose lead me down the hall to a bedroom after I had set Tate back on the floor.

“I have my own bed?” I asked with a chuckle.

“No.” Ambrose said with a wide smile as he opened the door to a beautiful room.

“We will share this room.” He said lowly and his tone had my face heating. We are going to share? “But for now it’s just yours.” He said and disappointment settled in my belly.

Wait, I’m disappointed that he won’t be sharing the bed with me?

“Dad come on! I’m starving!” Tate called from the kitchen making the two of us laugh.

“He called me dad.” Ambrose said giddy.

I chuckled at how cute he was before my mood changed. The guilt just wouldn’t go away now that we are here with Tate’s father. I looked up into Ambrose’s eyes.

“I’m sorry that I kept him from you. I.. I didn’t know who you were Ambrose. I thought you were lying about your last name. I didn’t want to drag you into my mess of a life, I still don’t. But I am so sorry that you didn’t get to meet your son until just now.” I said softly.

Ambrose reached up and cupped my cheek.

“It’s alright Epperly. We can make up for lost time now. And whatever it is you’re running from… I will protect the both of you.” He told me. “But we can always make up for things by making more babies.” He said with a sly smile.

I giggled at him.

“You want to have more kids with me? After you just found out that I’m on the run and have kept one kid from you for the last five years?” I asked.

Ambrose nodded.

“Oh yeah, a lot more. As many as you want. Whatever you are and whatever you’re running from doesn’t scare me love. You are my mate, my other half, my life, the mother of my children.” He said with a smile.

I giggled again. He’s so sweet. I knew that was who Tate got it from. Maybe staying here wouldn’t be so bad. Even if it gets me taken. Spending my last days of freedom would be worth it if I got to be with my mate and son. And Tate now has a back up plan in case I do get taken.

He would be safe.

“Daaaaaddddyyy!” Tate called again.

I rolled my eyes at my son’s impatience.

“Get some sleep. Our son will be safe with me.” Ambrose said and then kissed my head.

I sighed and walked into the bedroom. This room is huge. The king sized bed is sitting in the middle of the tan walls. The bedframe is a dark wood and tall, coming up to my waist. The white duvet is thick under my palm. I flipped the covers over and climbed into the bed.

Ambrose waited until I was tucked in before returning to our son. I must have been more tired than I thought, because sleep claimed me instantly.

*********************************************

“Mommy, Daddy said it’s time to get up.” My son’s voice stirred me from a deep dreamless sleep.

I g*****d, not wanting to get up.

“Mommy, Daddy and I made steak and potatoes and this greeen stuff and we made brownies!” My son told me excitedly.

My eyes fluttered open to see my son sitting in front of me on the fluffy bed. I g*****d again as I rolled over onto my back. The glow of the sun setting was shining through the windows. I yawned and stretched my body out.

“Come on Mommy.” Tate grabbed my hand and tried to pull me.

I chuckled at him before grabbing him and pulling him into a hug. Tate sighed making me chuckle, and then hugged me back. I took a moment to just hold him.

“I love you Mommy.” Tate said.

“I love you too baby.” I said back.

“Can we go eat now?” My son asked making me laugh.

I let him go and nodded to him. Tate practically forced me out of the comfy bed. He grabbed my hand and dragged me down the hall.

Once we had reached the dinner table I looked at Ambrose who had just set down glasses for all of us. He’s looking as sexy as ever in his jeans and dark blue shirt. He smiled brightly at me and my breath caught in my throat.

Ambrose has changed over the last five years, and in the best way possible. He’s even bigger now, like seriously where does he get all of that muscle?

Ambrose grew his hair out and is wearing it in a bun behind his head. I like it, a lot. His deep blue eyes bore into me and the memories from five years ago flooded my brain. I remember how he looks without a shirt on, I bet it’s even better now. I remember the way his lips felt on my body, the way he touched me and kissed me.

“Hope you’re hungry.” He said with a smirk and my face heated.

Could he tell what I was thinking?

Tate, who is completely oblivious to us, walked right over to a chair with his food and cup in front of it and sat down. Ambrose walked over to me and grabbed my hand since I was frozen in place, and walked me to a seat. He kissed my cheek before taking his own seat.

This is weird. All of it. It’s like my entire life just flipped upside down in the matter of 2 hours. Well, I actually have no idea what time it is.

Still though, this is all strange to me. I spent the first 13 years of my life in a lab, thinking that my life was normal. Then, the next four years with a pack of misfits.

After that, it was a couple years on my own out in the world, bouncing from town to town. Then my son was born and life got even harder. All to come to this point. Everything is changing again and I’m not sure how to take it anymore.

“You okay?” Ambrose asked me.

My eyes snapped up to see that he and Tate had already started eating and I was just staring at my food. I looked at Tate who was giving me a curious look, then back to Ambrose. Giving him my best smile I nodded my head.

“Yeah.” I said simply.

Ambrose gave me a look that said he doesn’t believe me, but thankfully he didn’t press me more. Instead, he smiled to me and placed his hand on my knee under the table. Sparks shot up my leg landing right in my core. I tried to shake his hand off but Ambrose only gave my knee a squeeze as he continued to eat.

Glaring at him I started stabbing my food. When I finally put a bite into my mouth I m****d. Ambrose stopped just as he was about to take a bite, his eyes turned to mine and darkened. I remember those eyes darkening.

f**k, am I horny?

Clearing my throat I looked back at my plate.

“This is amazing.” I told Ambrose.

“Thanks. I’m actually quite the cook around here.” He told me with a wink. “Seems that’s another thing that our son has gotten from me, right buddy?” He asked Tate.

“Yeah!” Tate shouted making Ambrose chuckle.

“Mommy, Dad and me made brownies. I can’t wait to have them, they smelled so good. And we put this white stuff on top that Dad said is pow-der-ed sugar and I love sugar. Daddy said I could have some ice cream with my brownies too but only if you say it’s okay. So can I Mommy?” Tate rushed out. I had to laugh at the way he said ‘powdered’.

“Well, if you eat all of your dinner and as long as your gums feel better.” I told him.

“He’ll have to have a couple more b***d bags before he goes to sleep but that shouldn’t be a problem with how much he eats already.” Ambrose told me.

I nodded to him then turned back to our son.

“Eat your dinner, one b***d bag before desert and one right before bed. Deal?” I asked my son.

“Deal.” He smiled and held his pinkie out to me.

I grabbed his pinkie in mine and then continued to eat my delicious food.

*********************************************

Two hours later and Tate finished all of his dinner and two b***d bags. He’s now sitting at the table again with a bowl of ice cream and two brownies. He begged his dad for two and Ambrose gave in quickly. I don’t blame him, besides I do the same thing. Tate has had a tough time and he is such a good kid, I couldn’t help but spoil him when I could.

Tate talked the entire time he ate. Even through his fourth b***d bag my kid never shut up. We’ve only been here less than a day and already I’ve never seen Tate so happy. He’s never really had more than me to talk to.

Tate has always wanted to be a social kid but he wasn’t allowed to be. I wonder if that is because he is part Werewolf. Wolves live in packs for a reason.

Have I been robbing him of more than I thought this whole time?

After Tate was done with his fourth b***d bag I asked Ambrose if I could give him a bath.

“Alright, first of all, you don’t have to ask me. This is your home too, er, well I don’t usually live here but this house can be our home if you like it. You are allowed to go anywhere on the territory that you want. You never have to ask me, you just have to promise you won’t leave me again.” He said with a smile.

My breath caught in my throat. Gods, I wish he’d quit looking at me like that. Like I’m the only person he sees. It’s not fair. It makes me want to stay and that’s too scary.

“Okay.” I finally replied.

Ambrose smiled warmly at me.

“Can I give him a bath?” He asked me.

I looked at Tate who was watching us with curiosity.

“Well?” I raised a brow at him.

Tate smiled and looked at Ambrose.

“Daddy!” He shouted making me chuckle.

Ambrose is beaming from ear to ear. I really like seeing the both of them happy like this. Tate clicked with his dad instantly, well, after yelling at him for yelling at me anyways. It was nice to know that Tate would always be loved and welcomed somewhere.

Tate got down from his seat and headed towards the bathroom. Ambrose gave me a quick k**s on the cheek before following after our son. Wow.

How can something as simple as a k**s on the cheek have me blushing?

Unbelievable.

While Ambrose bathed our son I walked outside to get our bags we left in the car. Opening the back of my car I grabbed the two duffle bags and slung them over my shoulders. When I turned around for the house there was a small young girl standing there staring at me.

Where did she come from?

The girl looks to be about 11 or 12. Her long strawberry blonde hair was hanging in loose curls around her and down to her waist. She smiled at me brightly and I noticed that her eyes are white.

Not like a possessed white, or like there are only pupils. You can tell the difference between the whites of her eyes and white color around her pupils. Wow, that’s interesting. Something about her seemed familiar but I wasn’t sure why.

“You’re her.” The girl whispered.

Is she talking to me? I turned around to look behind me but no one was there. She must be talking to me.

“Uhmm…” I said since I was unsure of what to say.

“Everyone has been looking for you for a while.” She told me.

I rolled my eyes. “So I hear.” I mumbled.

The girl giggled.

“I told them to stop. I knew they wouldn’t find you. I tried to tell Ambrose to wait for you to show up but…” She trailed off.

I looked the girl up and down.

“Why didn’t he just give up?” I asked the girl. “Five years is a long time to chase somebody.” I said.

The girl smiled at me.

“Because you’re his mate.” She stated simply.

“Yeah well maybe Ambrose would be better off with a different mate.” I mumbled.

The girl laughed at me.

“That isn’t how mates work.” She said. “Don’t worry though. You’ll be glad that this happened. Especially when you find out what he did to the people who were after you five years ago.” She told me.

I frowned. “What?” I asked.

Just then Ambrose swung the front door open. He glared at the girl who smiled at me ignoring the bulking man coming up behind her. Ambrose pushed the girl slightly and she giggled.

She f*****g giggled.

Ambrose is like six times her size.

“What are you doing here Mo? I told Tia to keep you all away.” He scolded her.

Oh, so her name is Mo. I like it. It’s interesting.

“I know what Tia and you said, I just didn’t care.” The girl said.

Ambrose shook his head at her.

“Go home Mo.” He ordered her and then came up to me.

Ambrose took both duffle bags from me, threw both of them over one shoulder, and grabbed my hand. He started to pull me to the house. Once we were inside I looked past him at the girl who was still smiling at us.

“I don’t even get to meet my nephew?” Mo called out.

Nephew? Does she mean Tate? Is this girl another sister of his?

“Not yet.” Ambrose said and then slammed the door. “Sorry about her.” He said to me.

I scoffed. “You should be apologizing to her. She was just talking to me. She’s allowed to be curious about her brother.” I scolded him. “You are her brother right?” I asked to be sure.

Ambrose chuckled.

“Yeah, she is the youngest of us.” He told me.

“How many of you are there?” I asked as he walked to down the hall and I followed after him.

Ambrose walked into a room that was across from the one I napped in and I followed him into it. Tate was standing in the middle of the room wrapped in a towel. He smiled when he saw me. Ambrose set the bags down and started to rummage through them.

“There’s twelve of us.” He answered and my eyes buldged. “Is this all the two of you have for clothes?” He asked me while pulling out pjs for Tate. “We’re going shopping tomorrow.” He mumbled as he started to dress our son.

“I’m sorry, did you just say twelve?”