Page 50 of Rejected Broken Mate

Patty raised an eyebrow. "You went to college? I'm having a hard time picturing that."

It was a part of my life I didn't speak a lot about, mostly because I left that life behind. When I finally disagreed with my folks, they disowned me and moved. I still had no idea where they went, but I didn't seem to care either.

I remember returning home and thinking my folks would be proud of me, but they weren't. I quickly realized they never would be, and I needed to start putting myself first.

She handed me my grapes and smiled. "Well, I hope you guys figure something out. She's a sweet girl, and her kid seems like he's great. I've seen them around here from time to time, and he's so well-mannered and respectful."

He was. Even during my short time with him, I could tell she had raised him right. He listened when I told him we needed to go back and that we couldn't run into another pack's land. He asked questions, good questions. He was calm even when we spotted a couple of bears running by.

I remembered my first run and how my father never allowed me to be curious about things. He was always straightforward and had rules that needed to be followed.

"He's a good kid," I said. "I'll see you next week."

I headed to my car and froze when I noticed Laura and Michael walking down the sidewalk toward the farmer's market. Laura was wearing a simple white summer dress and flats. She had a hat on and her hair down. Michael was wearing shorts and a shirt with a spaceship on it. He was talking, and she was listening, nodding her head as he spoke.

My heart twisted, watching them. She chuckled, ruffling his hair, and he smiled at her. My wolf whimpered, feeling it was so far out of my grasp. I ached to be part of them.

Just then, Laura's eyes caught mine, and the world seemed to pause for one moment. My mind went to our breakup, and when she turned back to me in the doorway,

"You are going to regret this, Miles." Her voice cracked just as the thunder above us rumbled even louder. I could hear the rain starting to hit my window.

"I won't," I said, feeling like my guts were being ripped out. I didn't want to break up, but I needed this. I needed to prove to my parents that I was everything they needed.

She paused on the sidewalk, one part leading to where I parked and the other to the farmers' market. She gave me a half-wave.

Michael pulled his gaze away from the market, finding me. "Hey, Miles. You shopping here too?"

I started back up the sidewalk, nodding my head. "Yeah, I come a lot. How are you feeling?"

"Great!" he said, smiling extra happy.

"He went for another run this morning," Laura said, ruffling his hair again. "But not anywhere I couldn't see you."

Michael nodded. "I had a great time." Michael then looked at Laura. "Do you think Poppy would want to go?"

Laura smiled. "Poppy isn't a shifter, honey. She's a witch, remember."

Michael scowled. "Well, then, who can go with me?" Michael looked back at me. "Would you go with me again? I want to really go run and see how fast I can be. I bet I'm fast."

I swallowed, wanting to say yes. I would go anytime he wanted, but I paused, unsure of how Laura felt about it.

I looked at her, seeing she wasn't sure what to say.

"How about you just stick to where your mom can see you until you're a little bigger?" I said, hoping it was simple enough.

He didn't seem to like the answer but didn't argue with it. Michael tilted his head instead. "Are you friends with my mom or something?"

I was thrown by the question and looked at Laura, who looked a little stunned.

"Uhmmm..."

I was about to say yes when Laura cleared her throat. She bent down, and I could see her shoulders sink as she looked at him.

"Yeah, he is, but he's actually a little more."

I stiffened. Was she really going to tell him? Now?

Michael looked at me and then back at his mom. "What do you mean? What does a little more mean?"

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