AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Vivian walked toward the sink, stopping to pick up the sausage and egg to toss them out. “I don’t want to get stuck with your friend, who is going to treat me like garbage, and then go out to Thatcher’s parties and sleep with other women.”
Felix balled up the wrapper. “I’m trying to help you. Ben is a great guy. He’s got a good job. He’s respected in the pack. He’s a powerful shifter with a good standing. Thatcher likes him.”
Vivian rolled her eyes.
“You know Hara wants you, right?”
That got her attention. Looking over, she tried to show no emotion.
“He’s talked to Dad about an arranged mating. More than once.”
“Dad would never.” A familiar fear grabbed hold of her. Maybe this life wouldn’t hand her anything other than shitty men who didn’t care about her wants and needs or desires.
Hell, did she even know what those were anymore?
She tightened the straps on her backpack. Of course she did, but would it matter?
“Hara is sneaky. Don’t underestimate him. Mate with Ben and avoid Hara.”
There had to be another way.
When she didn’t respond, Felix got angrier. “Or don’t. But pretty soon, Dad is going to make good on those threats and mate you off to someone you really don’t want, and then Ben is going to look like a walk in the park compared to what some of them will do.”
“He’s just younger.” She wouldn’t back down. “Sorry, but your friends aren’t any better than his.”
Felix glared. “Fine. But don’t come crying to me when Dad signs you up for the Curusm, or mates you off to one of his friends or hell, maybe even Thatcher.”
When she gasped, he laughed.
“I’m trying to warn you.” On his way out of the kitchen, he tossed the wrapper over his shoulder, leaving it on the white tiles. “I’ll tell Ben you said hi.”
Balling her fists, Vivian fought anger and tears.
Grabbing up the wrapper, she whipped it into the trash before climbing the stairs. She refilled her backpack with fresh clothing before returning to the kitchen to refill her water. Next, she poured coffee into a tumbler.
She wasn’t sure what today held for her, but she sure wasn’t sticking around this house to find out.
Felix joined her in the kitchen to make his own coffee, but this time he didn’t bother speaking to her, which she preferred.
Before she could make it out the door, her mother joined them all in the kitchen, looking tired and worn out. She probably drank too much wine at her sister’s house and was likely hungover. “Where did your father go?”
“Thatcher has a meeting this morning.”
Rubbing her temples, her mother nodded.
Sighing, Vivian set down her bag and tumbler and started making her mother a mug of coffee. When she set it next to where her mother was sitting at the table, she got a quiet, “thank you”.
“You’re welcome.”
By this time, Felix was gone.
“Do you want to come with me to the horticultural meeting today? We’re going to plant that garden. I think Thatcher is sending extra men to help us with the lifting.”
Vivian chuckled to herself. So really, it was just a day for her mother and all her flower buddies to sit in recliners and watch a few young shifters flex and ripple.
Though her mother experienced the same treatment from the men in their household, and frankly the pack, she used her friends as an escape. Vivian thought her mother put up with the continued abuse because of her husband’s role. Pack beta was a coveted position, and with it came certain perks that their family enjoyed.
It wasn’t enough, though, as far as Vivian was concerned. She didn’t want to spend her life being told what to do, but so far, an alternative wasn’t available to her. A future with Rafe would never happen, and while it had been something she’d longed for as a child, she knew what a disaster that would actually be.
