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“She had her reasons,” Valentina insisted.
“But were they sane reasons?”
Another sniff. “It is not our place to judge what goes on between mates.”
Well, Luke totally judged them.
“Moving swiftly on,” began Ingrid, turning to Blair, “I heard that your mom isn’t so pleased that you left with Luke. I don’t suppose she’s given you two her blessing yet, has she?”
Blair’s nose wrinkled. “Noelle thinks I’m too young to mate,” she prevaricated.
Valentina sniffed. “Bah. Such foolishness.”
Blair felt her mouth quirk. The whole “bah” thing never failed to tickle her. Valentina was regally imperious and blunt as a knife—qualities Blair admired.
“It is never too early for adult shifters to find their mate.” Valentina began handing out cups of tea. “Most spend years searching for them. They worry they will not find them. You have been spared those headaches. She should be glad of it. But no. She is selfish woman, wants only to keep you close.”
Ingrid sighed. “Maybe things would be different if Noelle hadn’t latched onto you to get her through the pain of losing your sister.”
Her heart heavy, Blair sipped her tea. “Maybe.” Her mother had been different before Marianna’s death. Softer. More patient. Less strict. Not full of an overprotectiveness that held a panicked edge and birthed an uber controlling streak. “I doubt she’d have ever been okay with me leaving the pack, but she probably wouldn’t have been so set against it or created so many issues.”
Blair leaned into Luke as he curled a comforting arm around her shoulders. Sometimes, she felt that it would be easier if Noelle was a self-centered bitch who cared nothing for her—Blair could then easily cut her mother out of her life. But there was so much more to Noelle. She might not be cuddly and warm, but she didn’t hide that she loved her children. She spoiled both Blair and Mitch. Babied them when they were down or tired. Took care of them in what ways she could without encroaching on their independence.
Although Noelle would rather Luke wasn’t in the picture, she’d still invited him to any parties she threw for Blair over the years. She’d never complained about, or tried to make Blair feel guilty for, spending time with him. And when the mating urge kicked in and Blair had been a sexual wreck, it was Noelle who’d been at her side—not cursing Luke, not making snarky comments, just comforting her.
“On a whole other note, my Vinnie told me about your stalker,” said Ingrid, pulling Blair out of her ruminations. “The entire pride has been made aware of it. They’ll be on alert for anyone acting suspicious. You’re officially our Beta female now. We’ll all watch out for you, just as you’ll watch out for us. That’s how it goes.”
Blair blinked. It hadn’t occurred to her until that moment that she now shared Luke’s status. She wasn’t nervous about it. She’d prepared herself for it on every level.
She’d tailed Donal for years, learning what it meant to be a Beta. Settling disputes, reporting pride issues to the Alphas, being an ear for those who had problems, breaking up brawls where necessary, and even dealing with indiscretions on behalf of the Alphas would be part and parcel of the position. She was ready to pick up the mantel. She just wasn’t sure how hard her pride mates would make it for her to fulfil the role.
“You will get chance to properly meet everyone at your welcome party,” said Valentina.
Ingrid nodded. “Bree and the other omegas set the date. It will be in two days’ time. Feel free to invite your brother and his mate. Mitch will likely be worrying over whether or not you’re happy here. It may put his mind at ease to see that you’ve been welcomed by the pride with open arms.”
Blair’s brows flitted upward. “I might just do that. It would go a long way to easing his concerns.” As much as she doubted that they’d all emotionally welcome her, none were likely to voice or show their displeasure at the party for fear of the repercussions. And if they did … well, playing with them would be fun. “Now can we have something to eat? I’m starving.”
All four of them ate breakfast together. Valentina and Ingrid left shortly after that. Once Luke and Blair had taken care of the dirty dishware, he suggested that they go let their animals run together. They made their way down to the complex’s outdoor communal backyard.
There, she was immediately assaulted by the smells of wildflowers, damp earth, stagnant water, and tree bark. Sweeping her gaze over the overgrown grass, thick shrubs, mossy trees, ill-maintained pond, and nonsensical rockeries, she couldn’t deny that the large yard looked as neglected as it did chaotic. In reality, though, the small-scale jungle was perfect for pallas cats to play in.
