I shrug because I can own up to that. “Yeah. I know. I’m strong and stubborn. I don’t know, Reid. Maybe you’ll decide you don’t want anything to do with this girl who’s got some alpha in her.”
His eyes meet mine, and the levity I was going for falls flat. “I won’t.”
“You could, though.” I’m not really sure why I’m pushing this with him, but everything feels so off.
He takes the few steps remaining between us, so that we’re almost toe to toe. “I won’t change my mind about you. I accepted the bond between us years ago.” His voice softens. “Go enjoy your party.”
A rush of panic hits me. “Wait, are you leaving?” I immediately try to cover my panic. “I mean, you can. I just was curious.”
“I’ll be here, Ry.” I swallow. He hasn’t called me Ry in a long time, just over three years to be exact.
“Okay. Just,” I swallow and try to rein in my thoughts that are pinging in all different directions. “Let me know before you leave.”
He nods. “I will.” I look over my shoulder towards the party and then back at Reid. The look in his eyes softens. “It will be okay. Just enjoy the party; we’ll figure everything else out when we’re ready.”
“What do I tell people?”
“You don’t have to tell people anything; you don’t owe anybody an explanation.”
I scoff, “That’s such a guy response.”
“Well, pretty sure I’m a guy. Seriously, if anybody wants to know, just send them to me.”
I roll my eyes. “I’m not going to do that; I can handle a conversation.”
“Riley!”
I turn to see my mom approaching at a quick rate. She pulls me into a tight hug. “Your father told me what happened just now. Are you okay?”
“I’m good.”
She turns to look at Reid, and I realize it’s already started. People are going to find out; there’s no avoiding this. So, I don’t balk at it. “Reid’s my mate.” I feel his gaze on my face, but I don’t look up at him. I frown. “You don’t exactly look shocked. Did you know?"
She smiles. “Yes, Sweetheart.”
“How did you know?”
“How did Inotknow?” she asks in response. “I smelled his scent every morning when I went outside.”
Chapter 10
Riley
I frown. “I never smelled anything.”
“That’s because he left plenty early before you left the house each day. You also wouldn’t have smelled it because you hadn’t shifted yet. I can guarantee if it were to happen now, you’d smell it.” I realize belatedly that Reid has moved away, giving my mom and I privacy. Of course, there’s no such thing as privacy in a house full of shifters. But thankfully, most of our guests are outside. I catch sight of my dad across the living room. He’s talking to one of the men in our pack, but I know half of his attention is over here with me and my mom. And you’d have to be a fool to miss the angry older brother over in the corner glaring daggers at Reid. Evie’s doing her best to keep him from losing it, but it doesn’t look like it’s going well. “What’s the matter, Honey?” My mom switches over to our mental link.Are you not happy it’s Reid?
I am. It’s just—
Suddenly, Zane is there. “Family meeting.”
I glance around the room. “Right now?”
He looks down at me, a muscle jumping in his jaw. “Yes, Riley, right now.”
I scowl at him. “Zane, knock it off.”
He doesn’t acknowledge my words. He walks over to the basement door and opens it. I know what he’s doing. He wants us downstairs because it’s sound proofed; nobody will be able to hear our conversation. He waves Evie over, who looks like she’d rather be any place but here. She gives me an apologetic look before she starts down the steps. My mom starts to go over aswell, but I stop her. “Mom, you don’t have to go just because Zane snapped his fingers. He’s just throwing a hissy fit because he didn’t know about Reid.”
