Page 17 of Twisting You

Sighing, Chad glared across the room. “Xavier has a family.”

I frowned and my expression only showed my confusion. “We all have families. Why does that matter?”

Chad shot me a pitiful smile. “I mean, Xavier has a family,” he dragged out the word, but I still didn’t get it. “He has a wife and children.”

My mouth flung open. “He can’t. I’m his mate. He can’t have a child with another wolf. Let alone marry one!”

“They’re humans. Well, his wife is. The children we aren’t too sure about yet.”

“WHAT!” My mouth went dry. I just stood in shock and stared in disbelief. “Xavier has a wife.”

“I don’t know the reason behind why he does. You will have to take that up with him. All I know is he has two boys by her and they live in the suburbs.”

I closed my eyes. Of all reasons to be denied, I think your mate wanting a human over you is the worst it can get. “And here I was thinking it was the age gap,” I muttered to Chad.

“Well, now you know,” Chad said, uneasy, watching me closely. “You should really talk to him about it. Get closer.”

I shook my head. “I can’t get closer. I need the separation.”

“You’re wolf and you both need to deal with it, now that you know. At least get some answers while the separation is taking place,” Chad advised. “It could help the separation along.”

Sighing, I turned my back to him. “I don’t know what’s worse. Knowing your mate wants a human over you or knowing that everyone knew about it but you.”

“Chloe—”

“Just give me some time, alright?” I opened his bedroom door and closed it gently behind me.

I needed time to come to grips with this. Who was I kidding? I could never come to grips with it! My mate wanted to play happy family with a bunch of humans instead of spending an existence with me.

***

I handed over a five-dollar bill to the cashier and took my ice cream. It was a beautiful day. The lake was surprisingly busy. I walked past a full playground of happy children.

The shoppers were out in force and everyone was busy enjoying the summer day. Walking to the side of the playground, I lost my balance as a ball slammed into the side of my face. Stepping backwards, I tripped over a tree branch and landed on my butt.

“Oops, sorry!”

I glanced up at the small boy who was looking extremely guilty. He bent over and picked up his ball up from next to me. My ice cream was now covered in dirt beside me.

“Chocolate is the best too.” The child looked down sadly at the ruined ice cream.

“Yeah, it is,” I said softly, getting up to my feet. This would happen to me. Nice summer’s day and I get attacked by a flying ball. I sighed. “Don’t worry about it.”

“Do you want to play with me and my brother?”

I glanced down at the child as I towered above him. “Um, no thanks. I’m a bit old for that.”

The kid frowned. “Old people can play too. My mom plays.” The kid put the ball on his hip “Look.” He pointed behind him and, sure enough, a woman was standing next to another small child, who looked like this kid’s twin.

“Well, you should go play with them,” I muttered dryly and began to walk away.

“You’re not very friendly.” The child skipped along side of me.

“Did your parents never tell you about stranger danger?” I frowned down at him, slightly annoyed that he was following me.

“You’re talking to me.” The kid pouted.

“That’s my point.”

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