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I sniff as I pull myself together. “You know what the worst thing is? I don’t want to be without you. Stupid mate attraction.” I let out a dry chuckle. “I don’t suppose you’ll tell me why you hate humans so much?”
“I don’t hate humans, but I understand why you might think that.”
“Did you want to become beta to stop Life Shift from happening?”
“I did. But?—”
“I know. I’m sure it was for a good reason. Don’t bother.” The champagne bottle is cool in my hand when I grab it, and while I’m tempted to throw it against the wall, the looming figure of my security deposit keeps me from doing it.
“So that’s it? You won’t let me explain my side.”
“Why? So you can tell me more lies?” I glance down at the bottle and notice it’s an expensive brand. “The fact you told me you were guilty is enough for me. And once Mallory finds your code hacks I’ll be able to turn you over to your alpha.” I walk toward the fridge to put the champagne inside. I plan to get good and drunk on this expensive alcohol tonight.
Kai follows me into the kitchen. “You won’t find anything nefarious in the code because all I did was make it safe from hackers.” He grabs the refrigerator door to open it for me. “I wouldn’t deliberately do something to hurt my true mate.”
The bottle clatters on the glass shelf as I lay it down. “And I should believe you because?”
Kai lets out a huff of air in exasperation. “Because I’m madly in love with you, and I came to the realization having humans in our pack is necessary.”
I glance at him, and my heart flutters despite my anger. “We’re necessary?”
He sighs. “Wrong word choice. I mean that it’s a good thing.”
I love Kai so much I want to believe him. My throat gets thick as the urge to cry returns, but I swallow hard and push my attraction aside. I know it’s hope that makes me say, “I won’t turn you in if we can’t find evidence of tampering with the code.”
Kai opens his mouth as if he’s going to say something. But he must think better of it because he sighs instead. “I bought you something special today, and I don’t know if it will matter, but I’d like to give it to you. Please?”
I wave my hand in dismissal because what I really want is for him to be gone. “Fine. Show me.”
When Kai goes to the living room, I think about the flowers and expensive champagne he brought home. He couldn’t have known I’d find out about his past today, so why did he buy them? Was it to butter me up before he told me what I’d find? Kai returns and holds out a black velvet box. Oh my god.
“I did a little research about marriages for humans and discovered you were cheated. In our pack we don’t make a big deal out of true mates bonding the way you do weddings. Besides no fancy dress and no party”—the box creaks as he opens it and extends it toward me—“you didn’t get a diamond ring.”
I stare in awe at the large stone glittering in the light. I reach out for it but stop my hand midair. “How did you afford—wait. Is it real?”
“Yes, Abby. It’s real. And no, I didn’t steal it.”
I shake my head and close my eyes. Luxurious things can’t make lies any better. “You’re right. It doesn’t matter.” Then why did he buy me an outrageously expensive ring? I can’t wrap my head around what his game is, but I sure don’t want to play it. “It’s just one more symbol of your betrayal, Kai.”
The box thumps softly on the countertop as he sets it down. “I see. Should I leave?”
I nod as I bite my lip to keep from crying. I manage to hold it together until Kai packs his things and leaves. And the moment the door shuts, I fall apart for a bit before I call my best girlfriends, Charlie and Val.
As I tidy up for my friends, I notice Kai left the ring behind, and the velvet box is soft in my hand as I hold it. I think about how I spent many hours daydreaming about the man I’d marry. Sunlight streaming in through the windows bounces off the large diamond when I open the box to look. It’s a stunning ring, and I pull it out to slide on my finger. I’m not sure how Kai knew the right size, but it’s a perfect fit. A sob fights its way out as I yank the ring off my finger. Marriage is about trust and respect, not fancy diamonds. The box clatters across the counter when I toss it, and it slides off and onto the floor. I imagine the thud I hear is just like my dreams dying. I made one careless move by falling hard for Kai before I had a chance to find out the truth about him, and everything just fell apart.
Chapter Ten
Val arrives at my apartment first. Her perky-blonde personality is in full swing when she walks in the door. “Once you tell me the whole thing, we’ll figure this out,” she declares before I can speak. She hands me a bottle of wine and gives me a one-armed hug. “Open this sucker up. Charlie should be here any minute.”
She’s not supposed to know about werewolves yet. To keep the pack safe, a woman is not told about her werewolf mate until she’s ready to get married. But Charlie leaked the truth to Val when she was struggling with her decision to be with Ryan. For that I’m grateful, because I need both of my friends tonight.
Val leads the way to the kitchen with a shopping bag on her arm, which rustles as she moves. I say, “Thanks for coming over, but I don’t think we’re going to solve this.” My voice shakes as I fight tears. “I think Kai tampered with Life Shift’s code to destroy it.”
Val hustles over to the cabinet with my big bowls. A drawer scrapes open as I retrieve the wine opener, and bags rip as Val opens chips and cookies. “Maybe,” she says. “But considering Kai hates authority and his natural reaction to orders is to rebel, then it makes sense he took action when Kevin announced Life Shift to the pack. Charlie told me about his upbringing.”
“His childhood?” Could Kai have significant trauma he’s dealing with?
“Charlie said she told you.”
