Page 13 of Betrayed Kidnapped Mate

“What?” I snap, and he laughs, putting his hands in the air.

“How the tables turn,” Aris laughs. “Remember when I was losing it? And you told me to go sleep in the river?”

“I want to drown myself in that river.”

“It can’t be that bad, man,” Aris says, laughing again and clapping me on the shoulder.

“I know it was different because you and Linnea were blood-bonded,” I say, gritting my teeth, “but this is—it’s her and Kaila at once.”

Aris stares at me for a moment, then nods.

“You’re sure she’s yours? Did Rosa tell you that?”

“She doesn’t have to,” I say, forcing the words through my teeth. “If you didn’t know Araya or Percy, and you saw them on the street, would you know?”

“Touche,” Aris says, “so you can feel that Kaila is yours. Do you think Rosa will ever admit that?”

“She has to,” I breathe, “I’m losing my mind here. I have a daughter, and I know nothing about her, man. It’s killing me. Every second, it’s like two strings are connected to my heart, trying to drag me toward them, and I just can’t go.”

“That’s fair,” he says, rubbing his chin. He’s started to grow a little beard, making him look more like his dad. “When I think about the bond between Araya, Percy, and I, I can see why it would be a lot all at once.”

“Plus, she wants nothing to do with me. I haven’t even spoken to my daughter.”

“Yes, also that.”

We look at each other for a moment, and Aris seems to understand that I’m not ready to tell him what happened. After a second, I let out a breath. I feel the sorrow from Kaila right now inside me like it’s my own.

“She’s crying right now.”

“Rosa?”

“Kaila.”

Aris sucks in a breath through his teeth, then glances around the bar like someone might be listening.

“I don’t think I’m supposed to tell you this, but Linnea says Kaila is really missing the ocean. I guess she’s a big surfer.”

“We should take them to the lake,” it comes out immediately. I understand the feeling—I was attached to the ocean, too, when I was going to college. That itchy, on-land feeling doesn’t go all the way away, but being around the lake helps.

“That’s…actually a decent idea,” Aris says, clearly thinking it over. “The water will take care of the scent problem, and it might do them some good to get out of there for an afternoon. I know Byron set up those screens, but it’s not the same.”

“No,” I agree, excited at the idea of going to the lake with my girls.

Rosa would punch me if she knew that’s how I think of them—but I can’t help it. It’s the truth.

***

The lake stretches out in front of us, shimmering in the sunlight. Boats peter by in the distance, their captains raising a hand to us when we get to the beach. Humans and shifters alike are spread out on towels and blankets, picnicking and playing in the water.

My chest swells with the particular kind of pride you feel when you love the place you live. I wave to the locals, loving the atmosphere at the lake. In the summer, the lake has vibrant colors and bright, happy voices. In the fall, hikers and orange, yellow, and red hues reflect off the water, which is usually much calmer. Ice fishing in the winter, colorful, tentative new growth in the spring, muddy walks around the perimeter.

I watch Kaila and Araya approach each other tentatively. Kaila is about a year older than Araya. Araya has her mom’s wild curls, and Kaila has Rosa’s long, wavy blonde hair.

“Hi,” Kaila says, waving at Araya, who glances at me.

“Araya, this is Kaila,” I say, smiling at her. I don’t feel qualified to give introductions, as I barely know Kaila, but I hope that will change soon.

“Hi,” Araya says, “do you want to play with my water toys?”

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