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“Wren,” I greeted her, a genuine smile creasing my cheeks at her arrival. My smile faltered slightly when Dylan came in behind her, his shoulders hunched as he gave me a bashful smile. That same sense of easy joy I’d felt earlier washed over me again and I realized it was Dylan. Somehow I could feel his emotional state and the realization allowed me to relax completely. “Dylan, I’m so happy to see you,” I added, wondering if he could feel my emotions through the Pack bond as well. It was the only thing I could think of to explain our sudden connection. He was part of Dom’s Pack and capable of broadcasting his emotions if not thoughts.
“J-jess,” he stumbled over my name, but his shoulders straightened. My attention went back to Wren as she stared at me, and I glanced at Dad wondering why she was acting so weird.
“I’m sorry,” Wren burst out, drawing my attention back to her as I tried to figure out what she was sorry about. “I shouldn’t have taken it. I shouldn’t have gone in your room without permission. I should have been honest about what I suspected. Maybe she wouldn’t have taken you.” The words spilled out in a rush and it took me a second to process them.
“The picture,” I guessed and at her shamefaced nod, I exhaled. “It’s fine, Wren. I’m not mad or upset. And don’t feel guilty. She had planned the whole kidnapping thing. I doubt anyone could have stopped her.”
“It was just such a shock….seeing her picture after so many year. We thought she was dead.”
“Everyone thought she was dead?” I questioned, wondering if it was what they’d been told after she disappeared from the Hanley Pack or if that was how she’d gotten away.
Wren nodded, “I believe so. Her brother had just become Alpha –”
“Wait, what?” I couldn’t believe what she’d just told me. My mother was Nicholas Hanley’s sister?
“Yes, Lucy was the daughter of the prior Alpha and the sister of the current Alpha.”
“Lucy?”
“Vivian,” Dad explained. “Apparently, she changed her name when she left.”
“Wow, learning all kinds of things today,” I muttered, not sure how I felt about it all.
“I don’t blame her,” Wren whispered. “I don’t blame her at all for escaping.” She pressed her lips together and I could tell she was fighting back tears. “I just wish I had the chance to tell her that.”
“Well, she’s gone again,” I replied, unable to disguise my bitterness. “Ran away so she didn’t have to face me.”
Wren didn’t comment as she handed me a photo, and I took it expecting to see the one from my room. This one was older though, the colors faded, and I saw the teenage version of my mother staring back at me, her arm wrapped protectively around a younger girl. I squinted, my gaze jerking up as I realized who the girl was, “You?” Wren nodded.
“She wasn’t like her Dad or her brother. She tried to protect us and they beat her for it. I wasn’t surprised when they said she died.” She swallowed, a tear spilling over. “I figured it was only a matter of time.” She brushed her cheek. “I’m happy she got out,” Wren declared, nodding. “She showed me what it was to be strong.”
“Then why does she keep running?” I whispered, not thinking anyone could hear me.
“Because this is where the monster lives.”
Chapter Fifteen
Dom
Emotions surged over the bond I shared with Jess, waves of happiness, anger, and a crushing sense of disappointed sadness that made me want to hit someone. Preferably her mother.
“You alright?” Trent questioned, when he caught me scowl.
“Jess is upset,” I answered shortly, still not used to how openly emotions flowed through the bond now. “It’s distracting,” I admitted, as we continued to sweep the area, searching for any traces of her mother. I suspected she’d just taken off rather than face Jess, but I didn’t want to take the chance that her brother had discovered her whereabouts either.
“Think it’ll get easier?” Trent asked, a note in his voice making me think it was more than idle curiosity.
“I hope so,” I rumbled. “She wasn’t happy about this morning, that’s for sure. She said she’s never facing you again, by the way.”
Trent gave a sharp laugh. “Yeah, I don’t blame her. I’d like to avoid me too after something like that.” He shot me a sheepish look. “I guess I could have handled it better.”
“I also shouldn’t have laughed,” Dom confessed, rubbing his neck. “But the look on her face,” he chuckled, shaking his head. “I think we’ll all have a learning curve.”
“I don’t think she was taken,” Trent said finally, his gaze gauging my response as we came to a stop, not having found any traces of her mother’s presence. Neither of us liked the idea that her mother had run, but there was nothing to indicate differently.
