Page 66 of Ravenous

I let out a soft chuff of sad laughter.

“I… I did take your advice and told Clyde I was available for a drink this weekend.” My mom gave me a shy and slightly embarrassed look then went back to the stove and finished cooking the stir-fry.

“What?” I lifted my head. “You did? That’s great. He’s been into you forever, and I’m glad you’re finally giving him a chance. I’m so excited!”

She scooped the food into two bowls and set them on the table.

“I do like him, but I’m scared. I’m willing to try though.”

We sat down, and I picked up my fork and moved the food around, but I was unable to eat. My stomach weighed two tons.

“What would it look like to fight for Wes?” my mom asked softly. I could tell she didn’t want to talk more about her date with Clyde, and I didn’t want to push it. One day at a time with her, even if she was in a streak of good days. So it was my love life–or lack of–that we returned to.

A rope knotted in my stomach. “I can’t.” My voice was full of misery. I felt the weight of a thousand pounds bearing down on my shoulders.

“You don’t know how to make it work. But just keep asking questions. What other possibilities are available besides breaking up with him? You don’t have to answer. I just want you to think about it. Think about a way where you can get what you want, too, for a change.”

I let the tears drip down my face unchecked. Maybe my mom was right. I didn’t know. But I did know that I appreciated my mom’s attempt to help. It was nice to have her mother me for a change. To feel her love and caring. To have her be the one pulling me out of a slump. Or trying to.

“Thanks, Mom.” I stood, leaving my dinner uneaten. “I’m going to go crawl under the covers and have a good cry.”

Old me wouldn’t have allowed herself even that luxury. But part of not self-sacrificing was letting myself feel my feelings.

And right now, all I felt was grief.

30

WES

I slept for shit.My mate wasn’t beside me, and my wolf was pissed. Impatient. Joy was right about one thing.

Remy came first. Always.

I had to take care of Soraya once and for all, and then I could drive over to Mrs. Wallace’s place and get my mate back. Even if it meant tossing her over my fucking shoulder.

Dealing with my ex was the only way I was going to get Joy back. It was going to be tricky. I didn’t know the council member she was bringing, and she had a strong case.

“It’s going to be fine,” Rob said when I absently refilled his mug of coffee.

He and Johnny had been here an hour, going over all the info Johnny had collected, and it was a lot. We were in the kitchen waiting. Me, impatiently. I didn’t have a council member backing me in this matter, but a strong alpha and an enforcer on my side didn’t hurt. Neither did the things we dug up since the day before.

“Telling you now, Alpha,” I said. “If it’s decided she gets Remy, I’m running.”

Rob studied me, then nodded. I wasn’t sure if it was because he agreed or if he nodded because he heard and understood.

Maybe he had more confidence in this littleget togetherthan I did. He didn’t have a child being threatened.

Johnny, usually upbeat and smiling, sat quietly at the table. He was working on a laptop and busy typing. I went to refill his mug, but it was still full.

The doorbell rang.

I looked to Rob then Johnny.

This was it. Was I keeping my child or not?

31

WES

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