Page 109 of Taken By the Pack

Something inside me snaps.

I move before I can think, my fist colliding with Liam’s jaw.

He stumbles back with a grunt, knocking over his wine glass. Red spills across the tablecloth like blood.

“Ash!” my mother gasps.

Liam wipes his mouth, eyes blazing. “What the fuck?”

“You don’t get to talk about her like that,” I snarl.

Grace shoves back from the table, her chair scraping against the floor. When I look at her, expecting shock, I find something else entirely.

Rage.

She turns to Liam first. “You think you can disrespect me because of where I came from? Because I wasn’t born into wealth like you?”

Liam clenches his jaw but stays silent.

Her attention shifts to my parents. “And you just sit there? Let them say these things?”

My mother sighs, adjusting her napkin. “Grace?—”

“No,” she cuts in. “I’m glad Ash isn’t like you.” Her voice shakes with anger. “I feel sorry for him, having to grow up around this, and I hope I never see you in my town again.”

Then she looks at me, her expression softening. “I love you, Ash.” Her voice is thick. “But you deserve better than this.”

Then she’s gone.

I stand there, breath unsteady.

My father scoffs. “Uncouth little?—”

I turn sharply. “Don’t.”

His eyes narrow. “If you leave, you’re cut off. No inheritance. No seat at the company.”

I don’t hesitate.

I turn and follow her.

29

GRACE

Ipace back and forth, my breath uneven, my lungs tight. God, what have I done? I let my emotions take over, but I couldn’t just sit there and let them keep disrespecting Ash. Disrespecting me.

My hands shake as I press them against my face, inhaling deeply. I’ve probably ruined everything. What if this was too much? What if?—

The restaurant doors swing open.

My head snaps up.

Ash.

He moves with purpose, his long strides eating up the distance between us, his jaw clenched, eyes burning. My stomach knots, my breath tangling in my throat.

I brace myself for anger, for frustration, but when he reaches me, there’s none of that.

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