Page 19 of Daddy Wolf's Secret Baby

“What about Josiah?”

Zahra sighed. “That hasn’t changed a whole lot. The little girl in me is still in love with him. He’s a bit miffed with me for not telling him about Jace, but once he gets over that, we’ll do well co-parenting.”

“Is that all you want? Will you be satisfied with that?” Emma asked.

“Honestly, no. However, my pragmatic brain tells me that I have to get to know who he is before I can say I love him. Unfortunately, the romantic side of my brain says that he’s my fated mate because, even after all these years, I can still smell his scent.”

“The world doesn’t always make sense,” Emma said. “Two people can be fated mates and not be able to stand the sight of each other. Eventually, though, everything works out. Keep the faith.”

“I’m afraid to. I don’t want to have false hope. Anyway, how are things going there?”

“Okay. I think Mom is having withdrawals from you and Jace. You know she helped you raise him so far, so she thinks of him as her baby, too.”

“I know. You guys can come visit any time. Maybe we can come that way. Jace misses his old friends.”

Emma groaned. “I wouldn’t for a while. Elias has been asking everyone if they know where you went. He came to my and Mom’s house personally and grilled us. We told him that you simply disappeared in the middle of the night and didn’t even say goodbye.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your place to be sorry. This isn’t on you. He’s the one being the ass. I suggest that you get a different phone, though, so he can’t track yours, even though I’m pretty sure it won’t take him long to find you. Elias doesn’t like to be told ‘no.’ I’m pretty sure that Gentry spoiled him way too much.”

“I think so, too. You’re right that it won’t take him long to find us, though. He knows what wolf shifter pack I belong to. I’ll change phones anyway and text you my number.”

“Sounds good. Hug and kiss my baby boy for me. Take care of yourself.”

“I will. Be safe. Love ya.”

Zahra leaned back on the couch and closed her eyes for a minute. She hated the fact that Elias was harassing Emma and Ruthie. She was certain that Emma had understated how much Elias harassed her.

The next morning, after she dropped Jace off at school and before she reported to work, she went to the ceremonial hall to talk to Zac about the problem. He was her big brother and Alpha of the pack.

“I’m sorry to cause trouble here. I don’t think it’s a matter of if Elias, or at least his goons, are going to show up. It’s a matter of when. I haven’t said anything to Mom and Dad, because I don’t want to worry them.”

“This isn’t your fault. Olivia had a similar problem when she first came to Angel’s Creek. Her ex-fiancé wanted to kill her because of some stupid prophecy from a witch. We protect our own.”

They ran out and he bought her a new phone with the number listed under his name. Both of them knew that this might only delay the inevitable, but it was worth the chance that maybe Elias would give up and chase someone else if Zahra proved to be a little bit of a challenge.

She sent her new number to her parents, Jace’s school, her work, Josiah, and Emma.

Her first day at work was mostly paperwork, catching up on the company’s policies, and learning their software. Everyone was exceedingly kind, and she was happy when she left to pick up Jace from school.

He just slid into the car when Josiah texted her, inviting them over to his place for grilled hamburgers, mac and cheese, and baked beans.

“Can we, Mom?”

“Of course. I was trying to figure out what to make for dinner, anyway.”

They went home so Jace could change and they could pick up someUnocards.

The evening was terrific. Josiah won the first game, which made Jace even more determined to beat his father. The competition was fierce, and Zahra watched the competition play out with a grin. She sat back and played her cards while the two males hashed it out.

Jace won the next two games and was very satisfied when Josiah declared him the king of the cards.

Josiah showed them the room he was making into Jace’s bedroom. Jace gave him some pointers, which Josiah took very seriously.

The young man was bouncing with energy and excitement as they drove home.

“Did your father slip you some sugar or caffeine without me noticing?”

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