Chapter Thirty-Five

Riley

Weeks of thought, of tossing and turning, of glaring at my phone screen, trying to think of what I'd say when I next saw my parents.

And none of the words come to me.

I told myself I wasn't a scared pup anymore. Promised myself I'd do better, be better, when next they were in front of me.

So why can't I speak ?

I remember everything. The day they asked me to take over the family garage. The day they told me to get out for good. All the days between—joy, rage, disappointment, then, finally … silence.

For six years.

I've been glaring at my coffee for so long I almost forget to listen to the conversation. Killen is trying to steer us back into easy waters. Crazy weather we've been having , and all that.

That voice in my head keeps nagging at me. This is your chance, Riley , it says. Are you really gonna let them sit here like nothing happened?

I see a couple opportunities to speak up, but something about it feels wrong. My parents aren't here for me. They've made that perfectly clear. That being the case … maybe it would be better if I didn't say anything at all.

A spoon drops, hitting the ceramic plate with a ding !

Eve straightens. "I think I'd like to go home," she announces.

Parents instantly forgotten, I search for her thigh under the table. "You okay? You feeling sick?"

To my surprise, she grips the hand on her thigh, squeezing lightly. "I'm fine, alpha." Her gaze hardens with a rare sheen of anger. "But this isn't going anywhere."

Baxter's already nodding at the waiter. Thorn shifts to the edge of his seat, eyes sharp like he's preparing to clear a path through the empty room.

"Wait, wait, wait," Killen urges. "What are you talking about?"

Eve's lip twitches. "Since the minute you got here, you haven't asked a single question about Riley. Or even to Riley. Until you can do that much, I have nothing else to say to you."

"Eve," Mavis stands, blocking her path. "Just listen."

Thorn growls, though this is probably at Dean and Killen, whose expressions have suddenly darkened. They never were able to accept when things didn't go their way.

"I advise you tread very carefully," Baxter says in low warning. "Where our omega is concerned, my second-in-command is not known for his restraint."

Even I resist a shudder at that. No, he is not.

Mavis glances between Riley, and Thorn, and then back at Eve again. "We were just excited to meet you, Eve," she explains. "But if you feel there's been some disrespect, just tell us how to fix it."

Eve stares, holding herself so tall it makes my heart flutter.

"Apologize."

Dean blinks. "Excuse me?"

"To Riley. Your daughter," Eve says, casting those beautiful lilac eyes on me. "Then we'll talk."

Good god. When Eve gets like this—her omega in full force, so shrewd, so elegant—she has the power to topple cities. My packmates and I watch her with glossy eyes. Even my parents soften, humbled.

"I'm sorry," Killen says first. I don't realize his eyes are on me until he continues, stiffly, "For everything."

My throat tightens.

Mavis sighs. "What happened back then, with Annie, and your brothers, and the garage … well, it was a long time ago. I should have tried to reach you sooner." Her eyes glisten, making me wonder if I've ever seen my mother this close to tears.

"When we saw your name in the paper," Dean confesses, "it seemed too good an opportunity pass up."

"Not to mention," Mavis smiles, "being a grandparent is one of the few pleasures we have left. If you'd let us do that, be that, for your pup … we would be truly honored."

Their words—words I never in a million years I thought I'd hear—ring around my head.

Six years … it's a long time to sit in a parent's rejection. Maybe too long to come back from.

Eve squeezes my hand again under the table. I don't look at her, knowing a single glance will send me to tears, but relish in the touch. Willing it to ground me where I am, and where I want to be.

"I'll call you," I manage to get out. My whole body is warm—blushing, loving, angry, or maybe all three.

Killen raises his eyebrows. "You will?"

My parents are in the past. My pup … they're my whole future. I am the only person who has the power to bind us together.

Eve's scent sweetens. Don't worry, pretty girl. I smile at her. I read you loud and clear.

I take a breath.

"When the pup is born."