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“California.” I think Donna should be the one to explain how I managed to get here. I take another spoonful of soup so she can employ her diplomacy.
Donna says, “I couldn't let the Le Roux clan die off, so I took action. We searched for women that had werebear ancestry and encouraged them to come live here.”
Patricia glances down at where my stomach would be if there weren't a table in the way and smirks. “And clearly they're the kind of women that don't mind breeding for you.”
I recall Sierra saying something similar when we first got here and smile. While I'm sure Patricia was trying to insult me, she didn't. I wanted to have Brady's children within hours of knowing the man. It makes me wonder if she has the same kind of love for Ambroise, and I guess not.
I place my hand on my stomach and say, “I certainly am. I can't think of a more beautiful thing than to have children with your true mate.” I realize my words might be hurtful for Marion, but I think she's aware they aren't about her. My spoon clinks against my bowl as I scoop out another mouthful. “If I have my way, we'll be having lots of them.”
Patricia says, “Charming. How many breeders did you get, Donna?”
“A few to start. You might have heard about one of them from your son.” She reaches for a piece of bread. “Did he mention our Sierra?”
Damn, she's going for the jugular, and we aren't even past the first course. So much for not attacking right away.
I have to hand it to Patricia, though. She doesn't miss a beat. “My son is quite popular with women these days. If he was taken with one of your girls, I'm sure it was fleeting at best.” She actually flicks her hand when she says the word “girls” as if Sierra's a hooker.
Anger is doing its best to surge to the surface, but I tamp it down with an ice-cold sip of water. I nearly choke when Marion speaks in my head.“I've got this.”
Marion says, “Patricia, while boys will be boys, your son went too far at the wedding. I don't know if you heard, but he bit Sierra.” Patricia shrugs, but her face gets hard when Marion adds, “She was mated to another man. You know how we've cracked down on mate rape. Surely you wouldn't put us in the position to have to deal with one of our own children being punished, now, would you?”
Patricia's lips are thin, and I’d like to think she's feeling shame, but I doubt it. She answers, “I'm sure that while he may have gone too far, it wasn't an attempt at mate rape. You have nothing to worry about.”
Donna speaks in my head.“You're up.”
“That's fantastic news. I'm sure Sierra will be glad he's out of her head. I'll tell her you'll take care of it.” I'm tempted to reach over and touch her arm, but I don't want to push it. “Thank you.” I sink my teeth into a piece of bread. My fangs poke out for a second as I gaze at Patricia and see she does the same.
