Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 55491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 277(@200wpm)___ 222(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“Yeah, then I guess you shouldn’t have left four years ago,” I countered.
“I know I shouldn’t have left. I just got scared. I didn’t know anything about raising a pup, and she was so tiny and helpless.”
Fate, I remembered those long nights holding a crying infant who wouldn’t sleep. Cursing Soraya for leaving us.
“I didn’t know anything about it, either,” I countered. “But I didn’t bail on the tiny pup whose life depended on me.”
“Yeah, I knew you’d be better at it. I figured I’d fuck her up. I was a mess. But I’ve got myself together now, and I want her back. She’s my daughter.”
“What’s the female version of a sperm donor? Surrogate? You were just a womb for her to grow. Nothing more.”
Harsh? Hell, yeah.
I watched as her face hardened. Whatever she was playing at before–being sorrowful or honest–was just that. A game.
“What do you really want, Soraya?”
“I want Remy.” She crossed her arms over her chest. The contrast between Soraya and Joy was blatant. Soraya exuded… greed. She wanted Remy for some reason and expected to get her. I thought of what Joy had said about her dad fighting for custody to avoid paying child support. Could she want Remy, so I’d have to pay her support?
Except she was delusional if she thought I’d ever give up my kid. I had a heart. Unlike her.
She’d stopped by as if she were asking for a cup of sugar, and I’d hand it off, and she’d leave. ‘Cause you didn’t return sugar.
Joy was a giver. She gave and gave until she was empty. I knew what she was like when that happened. It would be my job as her mate to refill her as she needed it because her brightness replenished me.
Soraya on the other hand? She was a leech.
“Not happening.”
She arched a brow. “Really? You don’t have a say.”
“I don’t? Are you insane? She’s been mine since the second you told me she was too much, that you needed out. She’s my child. My fucking life. I have all the say.”
She didn’t cower. Not even the slightest. “When the council hears you’re shacking up with a human, they’ll give her to me.”
I suddenly went cold. Very, very cold. I also wanted to reach out and throttle her, but that wouldn’t kill her. She was threatening me with Joy.
“I can smell her on you.” Her nose crinkled up as if the scent was foul.
I loved having Joy’s scent all over me. My wolf was soothed by it.
I tipped my chin up. “Get gone, Soraya. Go back from whatever hole you crawled out of. Leave us the fuck alone.”
She took a step toward me. Tipped her chin back so our eyes held. “I’m calling a council hearing, and they’re going to side with me.”
“Yeah, good luck with that,” I growled although I wasn’t too sure.
Would the council side with her? Did they make choices in favor of she-wolves based on their biology? Did they try to prevent a pup from being raised in a mixed family?
“I’ll be back.” Soraya headed down the walk with a toss of her long, thick hair.
I watched until she was in her car and down the street. Then I pulled out my cell and called Johnny.
“Got any info yet?” I asked.
Johnny laughed. “Hello, to you, too. Back to your grumpy self, it seems. Shouldn’t your mate be–”
I cut him off. “Soraya stopped by again. She’s here for Remy.”
“Shit, man. Sorry. Let me check my email from my contact in your old pack.”
I went inside, shut the front door, then paced. Thank fuck the girls weren’t here. I’d scare both of them right now. Thank fuck it was a full moon tomorrow, and we could run.
“Nothing yet.”
I sighed, rubbed my forehead. “Shit.”
“If there’s something there, we’ll find it,” he vowed.
“There’s something there. That woman’s like Jekyl and Hyde. She’s trying her hardest to be sweet, so I’ll just give in, but when I fight her on it, her she-claws come out.”
“She sounds fun,” Johnny muttered.
“She mentioned taking it up with the council.”
“Haven’t heard anything yet,” he said. “I’d know because you’re in my pack, and I protect you.”
Johnny was a kid in comparison to me, and he had the job of protecting me. I appreciated it and him.
“Let me know if you hear anything.”
“Will do.”
Now I had to wait. Tried to be like Joy and feel all sunshiney, but I knew after trying for two seconds that wasn’t going to work.
My ex was after Remy. I wouldn’t be happy until this was fucking resolved.
20
JOY
I didn’t remember a time when Mom seemed so… bright.
Little Remy worked her four-year-old wiles on her and got cookies. Hot cocoa. A princess movie. A special movie blanket–which was an old pink one Mom found in the closet. Even apple juice with two maraschino cherries added.