No decent alpha would wade in on a trivial argument like that with a bark, throwing his weight around. I grit my teeth and pull on something bright and warm from within me that infuses my limbs with power again. This alpha doesn’t get to tell me what to do.
My legs are stiff as I move at first, but the force of Hunter’s command wears off after a few shaky steps.
He doesn’t make any further move to stop me, and I hurry to the bedroom before he can say anything else.
TWENTY SEVEN
Vera
I find Bas leaning with his forehead against the window and his arm braced on the frame above. He sighs as I close the door softly behind me. “Sorry. This was a bad idea.”
I go to him, and he turns and tucks me into a hug, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Don’t be silly. You wanted this. It was good to try. Your mom seems lovely.”
It’s a lame consolation when everything I don’t say about his dad speaks volumes.
Bas scoffs. “They’re both as bad as each other. Not like she took me with her when she left. She left me here to rot.”
“Maybe she wasn’t in a place to be able to?”
He’s silent for a long time. Eventually I release him and step back. “I’m going to go survey the situation and clean up.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Yeah, but I want to.”
“Just don’t let them talk to you like that again, yeah? I don’t give a fuck what he says to me, but damned if he gets to come into my home and talk shit about my mate.”
I don’t mention the bark. I can already feel his control on his beast thinning again through the bond, and I place my hand on his arm and make soothing strokes along his skin. “You’re assuming I give a shit what he thinks, but you’re wrong. It only matters what you think.”
He pulls me back against him in a hug that threatens to squish all the air out of me. “I love you, Vera. I want you. I’m so damn lucky to have you, sometimes I still can’t believe it.”
“Well I’m not going anywhere.” I blink to stop myself tearing up, conscious that this is the first time he’s said those words to me.
When I venture back into the kitchen, Hunter is nowhere to be seen. Linda is stacking things in the dishwasher, and I cautiously approach to help.
“I’m so sorry about all that, Vera. Hunter has been under so much pressure trying to sell his apartment. It’s not really you. He just wants the best for Sebastien.”
I press my lips together in a tight smile, but I hold back what I really want to say and keep the peace. “Me too.”
She gives me a grateful smile, and we clean the kitchen in silence. She’s clearly trying, and I feel a little sorry for her. I’m not sure what she sees in Bastien’s dad, but maybe she’s right that he hasn’t been himself. An idea occurs to me, and I pray I’m not setting up another argument, but I have to try. For Bas. “Hey, my family is heading up to the national park tomorrow for a picnic if the weather holds. Would you and Hunter like to come along? I’m sure my parents would enjoy the chance to catch up with you while you’re in town.” I’m not sure of any such thing, but it’s the polite thing to say, and Mom and Dad will fake it for a few hours. Sometimes having lots of people around is a goodthing, and with Bella and her mom there, perhaps everyone will be focused on entertaining her rather than arguing. Nothing like kids to lighten the mood. At least that’s how I hope it goes down.
Linda gives me a weak smile. “That sounds lovely. Thank you.”
Bas is still tense later when I come to bed. He doesn’t say any more about it, but he holds me all night, his big arm slung across my waist so I can’t escape—not that I’m trying. There’s no getting cold at night with a big bear shifter to snuggle up with.
The next day is one of Mom’s bad days. She insists on coming out with us to the picnic, but I can tell from the tightness in her shoulders and the way Dad hovers close that it’s costing her. I know she didn’t want to miss a chance to see Bella, and honestly, the little girl steals the show.
If things between Bas and his parents weren’t so tense, I’d be tempted to enjoy Riley’s obvious discomfort as he chases his daughter around, trying to get her to play with him when she seems to want nothing more than to ignore him.
I smile to see her clutching an old doll that looks familiar except for a rather dramatic haircut.
“Oh my god, Barbie, I love what you’ve done with your hair!”
Bella gives me a big grin. “Mama says it won’t grow back, but I told her you wouldn’t care.”
“No way. She’s living her best life with you now.”
Adley shoots me a grateful smile.
