Breaking Traditions- the Shifter and the Mage Read online

I am the first to pull back, and I look up into her green eyes that are almost a replica of mine. The only difference besides our age is that she is a redhead.

  "I am so sorry, sweetheart, for everything I said. I have been miserable, and so has your father. Please forgive us." She wipes at the tears, still streaming down her face. She seems like she is trying to control her emotions just as I am, but failing.

  I continue to cry as I hug her again. With my face in her shoulder, I mumble out, "I forgive you both. I love you. I don't want to have a life without my parents in it. It sucks."

  As I pull back again, my mom's gaze moves from me to Alex. A confused look crosses her face for a moment before switching to one of understanding.

  "Oh, my stars, I can't believe I didn't put it together until now. Alex, how could you keep such a thing from us?" She accuses him, letting go of me.

  I watch concerned as she moves quickly towards him and pulls him into a hug. I stare stunned at her change in heart.

  Alex hugs her back, saying, "well, it wasn't easy. I am glad I did, though."

  Mom laughs at his comment and pulls back from him. She releases him and wipes at the tears still flowing from her face.

  "Well, at least we know you truly are a good guy. Natalie, I am so sorry I did not accept him when you first told us about him. I can tell you are both happy, and I now know how responsible, focused, and dedicated this young man is. Dare I say it; he does seem a better fit for you than Theo was."

  I can't help but break into hysterical laughter at her confession. She seems bemused herself about it, and eventually, we are all laughing. I guess we make too much noise because a nurse pokes her head in a few minutes later.

  "Everything okay here?" The young black-haired girl asks.

  "Yes, Tina, we are fine. This is my daughter and her mate. They are visiting." My mom says, gesturing toward us with a smile.

  I feel happy with the fact that she has changed her mind and that they finally accept us.

  "Great, well, if you need anything, just hit your call button. You will have me until Sabrina returns to work night shift later. I will be here again to prepare you to return home tomorrow." She says before leaving the room again.

  "Oh, you get to go home tomorrow! That's good!" I smile at dad.

  "Yes, and I can't wait. The food here is terrible."

  "Yes, but you need to get used to the veggies. You are going to be eating a lot more." My mom says, poking my dad's leg for emphasis.

  "Dad, you were supposed to be watching what you ate anyway!" I give him a stern look. He knows better.

  "I know, but after the fight we had with you, I couldn't do it. I felt terrible and began to eat my feelings away. It was miserable, and I was miserable."

  "Well, we are good now. You have to stay on your diet." I poke him in the arm.

  "Okay, I promise, dear."

  We spend the next two hours visiting with my parents. Alex hangs out in the chair, watching as we talk animatedly with each other. I frequently pull him into the conversation, and we tell them about our living situation.

  I can't help but feel overwhelmed with joy at how the morning seemed to play out. I haven't felt this much happiness since I found out I had a mate. I am also ecstatic by how easily my family interacts with my mate. I would never have expected him to bring us back together like this. I am in awe.

  After my mom finishes her coffee, I offer to grab her some more. "Does anyone else want a coffee? Dad?" I ask, standing to grab my wallet.

  "I am on a coffee restriction, sweetheart. Unless they have decaf, I am not supposed to have any."

  "Okay, Alex? Do you want to go with me?"

  "If you don't mind, I would like to stay and visit with your parents some more. I have a couple of questions about work I need to ask them. You can grab me a coffee though, that would be nice." He smiles at me.

  I look at both my parents with raised eyebrows and shrug. "Okay, I will be back!"

  I leave the room and make my way back down the tiled hall to the elevator. I feel weird about traveling alone in a strange hospital, but I continue despite my anxiety. I told everyone I would get coffee, and that's what I will do. Plus, I really could use the boost from the caffeine. The excitement from the morning seems to have drained me.

  Reaching the bottom floor, I look around for a sign to point me toward the cafeteria. The walls are covered in pictures and plaques, but none of them share directions for the cafeteria. I finally spot a small sign hanging from the ceiling, pointing toward a hall that goes off to the left. I am amazed that they would have a sign hanging from the ceiling and frustrated with myself for not noticing it at first.

  As I move down the long-tiled hall, I spot another sign hanging at the end. It points off toward another hallway that I turn down. I follow several more signs through what feels like a maze. Between the confusing turns and strong odors from the hospital, my head begins to throb.

  Ten minutes later, with a small headache, I finally find the cafeteria at the end of another long hall. I glance around, noticing all the brown tables and giant boxes of plants as I enter the room. The ceiling is a dark grey color with huge lights. At the back of the room, there is a line that has various plastic boxes of food on display. To the left of it are three older looking coffee machines.

  Nearing the older coffee machines, I see one labeled decaf, one labeled light roast, and another for a dark roast. Unsure of which of the two caffeinated brews would be best I play eeny meeny miney mo and pick dark. I fill three large cups with the coffee and then another with decaf. I leave the decaf black and add creamer to the other drinks.

  Minutes later, I have found my way through the maze back to the elevators and enter the giant death trap with a group of people. I stand silently as the lift moves up. I don't want to be that awkward person who has a conversation with random strangers while riding the elevator. It always makes me uncomfortable when others do it. I smile and let out a sigh of relief as I exit on my floor and head back toward #205.

  "Okay, I have coffee for everyone!" I announce as enter the room and move around the curtain. I don't bother to knock like we did when we first arrived.

  I move to the bedside table and set the cups down before turning to look at everyone. They are all looking at me with a bemused smile on their face.

  "Thanks, sweetheart, now come here and give me a hug!" Dad says, reaching for my hands.

  I let him pull me into his strong arms and smile even more. I hear my mom make what sounds like a sobbing sound, so I pull back, confused.

  Turning around, I am prepared to ask her what is wrong when I see Alex on the ground in front of me. He is on one knee and is holding a small ring that looks like my mother's ring. I stare dumbfounded and then shocked as I realize what is happening.

  I bring my hands to my face as tears of joy begin to fall.

  "Natalie Black, you are my mate, my love, and the other half of my soul. I know this is not the most traditional proposal, but we tend to break traditions quite a bit. Will you marry me?"

  He watches me with a radiant smile and a knowing look to his eye. He knows I will say yes, and as I realize he is holding my mother's diamond ring in his hand, I confirm what he already knows.

  "Yes, Alex. I will."

  THE END

  Afterword

  Thank you so much for reading my story. I loved sharing Alex and Natalie's romance with you. If you loved this book as much as I loved writing it, I ask that you please leave me a review. Let me know what you liked, what you didn't like, and anything else you want to put in there for me. I am constantly working to improve my writing and I have a ton of ideas to share with you all. Find me on social media to keep up with upcoming books, giveaways, and sales.

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  Acknowledgement

  There are so many people I want to thank! A huge thank you goes to my husband and my son for putting up with me while I created this book. Chis and Harrison, you both are the best. Tears, joy, sadness, so many emotions happened while making this book on top of a pandemic. Seriously my husband has the patience of a saint. I know my two-year-old and I both tested it while this was being created.

  Another thank you goes out to my mom, Stephanie. She let me bounce ideas off of her like crazy and she always had time to listen. Also, to the rest of my family for listening to me jabber on about my book!

  Thank you also Chelsea, Charlie, and Jaque for the support you three have given me while this book flowed from my mind. Talking to you via text and over the phone helped give me pause from the never-ending flow of this story.

  To all of my beta readers, you have been amazing! I am so thankful for the feedback you provided to make this novel amazing. Thank you!

  To all my readers, once again, I thank you. Your support is what gives me the courage to continue writing. It has always been a dream to write and become an author and because of you, I am here. So, thank you.

  About the Author

  About the Author Madilynn Dale Madilynn Dale is a reader and author. She lives in the state of Oklahoma and enjoys being outdoors. Her biggest hobby is reading, and she enjoys a variety of books. She is married and has one son and seven fur babies. She currently holds a license as a Physical Therapy Assistant in the state of Oklahoma but is taking the time to focus on her son. Being a stay at home mom isn't easy but it has its perks.

  Books By This Author

  Releasing Her Power Within (Fae Shifters 1): https://www.amazon.com/Releasing-Her-Power-Within-Shifters-ebook/dp/B08682JFSP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=INTDWE6TQ8H6&dchild=1&keywords=releasing+her+power+within&qid=1592010551&sprefix=releasing+her+%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-1