Delilah's POV
I stopped, the words dying in my throat as I looked at Mom's face. She was leaning forward, waiting, her eyes wide with something that looked like fear. Like part of her already knew what I was going to say and was bracing herself for it.
But I also saw the happiness there. The glow she'd had since marrying Ryker. The way she fit into this pack, into this life, like she'd finally found where she belonged after years of struggling.
I couldn't take that away from her.
"They've been patient with me," I said finally, forcing the words out. "More patient than I deserved. And I've been difficult. I know I have."
The tension in the room shifted immediately. Mom sat back in her seat, and I watched relief wash over her face. Ryker's shoulders relaxed.
"I think I'm just strugglin
