Page 39 of Shattered

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What the hell is wrong with me?

After Marjorie and Holly, he resigned himself to the idea he didn’t have a mate and also didn’t deserve one. His dick had been onboard with the idea of being alone for more than twenty years and now all of a sudden, his dick ached and his balls tightened. Made him lose his senses and ejaculate without provocation when the aroma of honeysuckle and jasmine hit his nose.

Aurora had someone, though. He’d seen the mark.Someone who doesn’t give a shit about her fucked-up apartment or the sick kid who lived there.Didn’t the wolf care that his mate lived in squalor? Didn’t it bother her mate, having Mackenzie traipsing through his apartment cleaning up the water from the broken pipe? It didn’t make sense to him, but then, nothing made sense after everything he’d been through in the last year.

He glanced at the calendar on his way out of the laundry room and frowned. Tomorrow was the first day of his testimony. Tonight, he was supposed to accompany his family to dinner at Kalkin’s and the Thanksgiving play at Mikey and Abby’s school. The boy had been practicing for days. He might only have one line, but by God, Mikey would nail it with practiced precision.

He crossed to the coffee pot and grabbed himself a cup, then wandered into the living room. With the trial looming, things about his past were going to come out. Stuff he didn’t care if others knew about, however, there were a few things about his relationship, or lack thereof, with Holly that could damage his children and his niece.

Mackenzie’s phone rang, tugging him from his thoughts. The name on the phone had him shaking his head. It was like Danielle and he were connected in some strange way. She always knew when he needed someone to talk to, to figure shit out. He slid his finger across the screen and answered, “Hey, were you thinking about me again?”

Danielle laughed. “Always. You’re my second favorite Raferty.”

Warmth bloomed in Mackenzie’s chest. After everything she’d been through with Caden, Hazel, and Simon, he’d been there for her. He understood what it was like to be cast out and ashamed. Sometimes, and he wouldn’t say it out loud, but sometimes, he wished he could have been the one for her, as fucked up as it sounded. Because he got her. He knew the pain of losing everything. The rejection and the burn of realizing what it meant to have someone they thought was their mate, turn their back on them and abuse them.

Because, Marjorie had done it to him.

“What can I do for you this fine, autumn morning?” Mackenzie glanced out the window and watched as orange and brown leaves fell from the tree in his front yard.

“I’m glad you asked. Aurora and Charisma are working on decorations for the play tomorrow night at the elementary school, and I—”

“Need me to go help them?”

Danielle laughed. “No, actually, I need you at the orphanage. I’m shorthanded.”

“Uh...” He frowned. “After all of our conversations, you still want me at the orphanage?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Well, you know,” he said, scrubbing the back of his neck.

She gave a soft chuckle. “Oh, Mac. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you. I would have known if there was.”

“I appreciate your optimism, but I’m still losing time,” he muttered.

Danielle sighed. “Come in, and I’ll do a checkup. Then you can help me out.”

“Fine. Give me ten,” he said, then hung up.

On the drive to the orphanage, he thought about everything. Danielle had this self-assurance about herself, she could soothe anyone’s tattered psyche, but it didn’t negate the fact there was something radically wrong with him. Yet, when he asked his brother—his Alpha to do what should be done—put down a feral wolf, Kalkin refused. It was as though no one believed him. Like he was talking to a stack of brick walls.

He pulled up to the orphanage and parked by the clinic entrance. Hayden was there. Her Enforcer was parked by the curb, allowing those who needed it, to park closer to the door. Mackenzie got out and headed for the clinic entrance. He figured he’d get the invasive shit done first, then figure out why Danielle really wanted him there. He pushed through the door and came to a halt. Standing there with Nico, Hayden, and Danielle, was a small girl around the same age as Mikey and Abby. She had brilliant amber eyes and hair the color of desert sand shot with natural golden-blonde highlights. Her high cheek bones denoted her feline genetics along with the scent of mountain lion that rolled off of her. She hid behind Hayden, gripping his niece’s pant leg for all it was worth.

“Well...” Mackenzie murmured. “Who do we have here?”

Nico placed his hand on the little girl’s back. “This is Emmeline Rose Raferty-Lopez. She is our daughter and the newest member of the Raferty-Dryer pack/pride.”

Hayden took the little girl’s hand in hers. “It’s okay Emmeline, this is your uncle. His name is Mackenzie Raferty.”

The little girl peered around Hayden’s leg. Her wide eyes and bow-shaped lips reminded him of a cherub. She blinked, fanning her long lashes across her cheeks. She didn’t say anything, but it wasn’t out of the ordinary for the Raferty family. They seemed to gravitate to the children who needed the most support and love.

“Well, hello, Emmeline.” He grinned, crouching down to her level. “It’s very nice to meet you.” He wouldn’t push her. She’d come to him on her own time.

Emmeline hid behind Hayden once more.

“Is this why you needed me here?” He popped a brow at Danielle.

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