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)
The doorbell rang.
I looked to Rob then Johnny.
This was it. Was I keeping my child or not?
31
WES
“Daddy, she’s here.” Remy ran into the kitchen. She didn’t have a big smile on her face, like usual. In fact, she looked mulish and determined. If so much wasn’t on the line, I’d panic about my child’s mood because in ten years, she was going to be a handful.
I hadn’t wanted to tell Remy anything about Soraya, but in case things went south this morning, I decided she needed to know what was going on.
I’d told her that Soraya was her biological mother, who wasn’t very good at the job, but wanted another shot at it. I’d also told her I wasn’t going to let that happen, if I could help it.
“Oh, yeah?” I said to Remy, trying to sound a shit-ton calmer than I really felt.
She nodded. Her hair was in two braids that I’d done. They were lopsided, but I doubted anyone noticed since she decided to pick out her own clothes to wear. Red shorts, a green and yellow striped top, and her pink rain boots. “Yeah. I can smell her.” She crinkled her little nose. “She smells… dirty.”
Johnny laughed outright. Rob’s lips turned up, and I had to smile because she was so right.
“I think there’s a spot for her on the council.” Johnny came to his feet.
I hoisted Remy into my arms when the doorbell rang again.
“I guess we have to answer it,” I muttered.
Rob nodded then followed me.
There on the stoop was Soraya. She was in a soft blue dress with wedge sandals that had ribbons tied around her ankles. Her outfit was fitting for a prayer revival.
Beside her was a man, mid-thirties. Dark hair. Dark gaze. Clean-shaven. He looked like he was from a big city pack based on his expensive clothes, expensive haircut and… did he have a manicure?
Fuck me.
Then I caught a whiff of his scent. It was mingled with Soraya’s. Was that from them driving over here together? Or was she screwing him?
“There she is,” Soraya cooed in an overly-bright fake voice. “Hello, Remington,” Soraya said to Remy.
Remy turned her face away, wiggled in my arms to be put down, and ran off to her room.
I’d teach my child manners… with someone else.
I stepped back and let the duo inside.
I didn’t offer them a seat.
Introductions were required, so I said, “This is Rob Wolf, alpha of this region, and Johnny, our region’s enforcer.”
“I’m Tad Parker.” He nodded to Rob first, then Johnny. “Council member of Soraya’s home pack.”
“We’re not here to make friends. We’re here for me to collect Remington,” Soraya said. “I hope you’ve packed her things. We have a flight in a few hours and don’t have time to linger.”
“Hold up.” Rob used a tinge of alpha command that registered in each of our bodies. It was authority that made you go still and listen. “I’d like to hear from the council member about his findings on this shift in parental rights.” He crossed his arms over his chest, indicating he wasn’t to be messed with.
We stood in my living room. I didn’t offer anyone a chair. Or coffee. It was awkward and uncomfortable, but I wasn’t going to make things easier or play nice.
Parker–because there was no way in hell I was going to call him Tad–cleared his throat. “Soraya brought it to my attention that her child is living with a human.”
Both Soraya and Parker sniffed, then again.
I had no doubt the house still smelled like Joy. Even though I’d showered and put on fresh clothes since I saw her last, her scent lingered here in this room.
“There are no human/shifter pairs in your pack?” Rob asked.
“Other pairs are not in question right now,” Tad added.
“I have many mated, mixed pairs in our pack. Even with children. There is no pack law or even a consensus that this is not accepted.”
“I don’t mean to disrespect your pack, Alpha, but Soraya wants what’s best for her child.”
“The disrespect was definitely received, Parker.” Warning laced Rob’s voice. “Watch it. Wes found and marked his fated mate.”
Soraya’s surprised gaze flicked to me.
That’s right. Joy wasn’t some rando human I had sleeping over. She was my one true mate. The female nature intended for me.
“The union is solid,” Rob went on. “Permanent. Nothing can come between what has been fated.”
While Parker might be a council member, he was no alpha.
“Tad has given his judgment that Remington should be with me, her mother, free from any contamination.”
“Documentation?” Johnny held out his hand.
Parker sighed, reached into his pocket, and handed him a piece of paper.
Johnny read it then passed it to Rob.
After a thorough review, Rob passed it back. I didn’t need to see it if they had.
“It’s interesting, Parker, why Soraya is so interested in her daughter now, after no contact since three weeks after her birth.”