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“Might as well be prepared,” I said with a grin. Then I glanced at Evan, remembering our conversation about Sofia’s birthday. “I want to throw a birthday party for Sofia. Maybe we can get some party supplies while we’re out, too?”
Abi’s eyes lit up at the mention of her favorite thing: buying things for her granddaughter. “Absolutely.” She clapped her hands together. “We can get balloons and cake. Oh, we have to have a smash cake.”
Evan grinned at me while Abi started rattling off a shopping list a mile long. “Look what you’ve gotten yourself into,” he murmured.
Honestly, I was more than grateful for the distraction. This was going to be fun.
After breakfast, Evan headed up to his office while Abi and I made our way into the town, leaving Sofia at home with Cynthia. We stopped at the party supply store first, and by the time we made it back to the car, I wasn’t sure there’d be enough room for the groceries we had yet to buy, but Abi assured me it was fine as she drove us to our next stop at the grocery store.
The scent of fresh bread from the bakery wafted through the front door, making my stomach growl before we’d even stepped inside. I might be leaving the store with one of everything, which was definitely going to be a problem when we tried to load them in.
We’d barely made it inside the market before clan members approached us. So many of them hugged Abi, offering condolences for the loss of Sebastian, and asking how she was doing. Those I’d met before at clan gatherings were polite to me, but I realized just how many I hadn’t yet met as they continued to come up to Abi throughout our shopping trip.
I was continually impressed by her and the way she accepted their kind words with grace and poise. Even through her sorrow, Abi was here for her clan, remaining strong for them during the time of transition.
As for me, I mostly felt awkward. My immersion into the clan had been slow. I hadn’t gone to many clan gatherings and didn’t know a lot of the members. The clan was aware I was Evan’s mate, yet we hadn’t announced what Tomas had done to me. Not until we knew the consequences.
Just as we were wrapping up and walking over to the checkout area, an elderly woman approached us, though she didn’t bother glancing my way.
“Abi, I'm so sorry about Sebastian. He was such a good man. A good leader.”
“Thank you, dear,” Abi said, touching the woman's arm gently. “I appreciate your thoughts. While we miss him every day, Evan is doing an excellent job.”
The old woman finally looked over, her eyes narrowing as they took me in. “And this must be Evan's human mate.” The way she said human raised my hackles. That wasn’t what I was. Not anymore. It was clear she didn’t like me, even though I’d never seen her before in my life.
“The rest of the clan is finding it hard to accept a human as the alpha’s mate, you know.” She looked me up and down, her nose wrinkling before she turned back to Abi. “I don’t know what you’re thinking by allowing this.”
I gasped, stunned that the woman had gone from offering her condolences to criticizing Abi in the span of a heartbeat. She leaned in closer to me as she sniffed.
I stepped back, reminding myself to breathe. Now was not the time for me to lose control of my emotions. Evan said that was the likeliest way for my dragon to burst forth, and that was the last thing we needed right now.
My cheeks warmed as the woman shook a finger at me. “I can tell what’s brewing inside of you, however you managed to make that happen.” She nodded in disgust. “That child should not be the next leader.” She turned back to Abi. “Lucas is the one who should be alpha. At least then he could give us a proper dragon. The last thing this clan needs is for the heir to be born a human.”
My heart raced, my dragon swelling up inside of me, even as I was stunned that this woman could spew such hatred toward me.
Not now, I urged. Please not now.
I just needed to remain calm. Before I could find the words to defend myself without exploding in rage, Abi spoke up and stepped between us.
“First of all, you will not disrespect my family.” Her eyes were icicles. “Evan is my son in every way that Lucas is, and Mariah is his chosen mate. You have no right to question their place in this clan.”
The elderly woman's eyes widened, clearly taken aback by Abi's fierce defense, but the widow wasn’t done.
“Sebastian would have your throat for speaking of his son and future grandchild in such a way. But since he’s no longer here to speak, I will: my family will not be disrespected. And you can tell anyone else I said as much.”
A hush fell over the clan members standing nearby. From the look on everyone’s faces, they were in complete shock, but their awe was palpable, as was mine.
“Mariah has shown nothing but strength and determination since joining our family,” Abi continued, her gaze never leaving the older woman. "She carries within her not only a dragon shifter baby, but the spirit of a true leader. I suggest you think twice before disrespecting your alpha’s mate.”
I watched as the elderly woman's mouth opened and closed while she struggled to find a response. The fire in Abi's eyes was undeniable, as was her love and passion for her family. She was every bit the mother and leader I hoped to be one day, and I felt a surge of gratitude for her support. If I could possess even half of her poise and grace in a moment like this, I’d be more than satisfied.
The woman muttered something barely audible before she turned on her heel and walked away, her back ramrod straight.
The crowd dispersed quickly, and the whispers quieted, but I could still feel eyes on us as we unloaded our shopping cart and checked out.
“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice catching in my throat.
Abi squeezed my hand and smiled. “You're family, Mariah, and we stand up for our own.”
