Page 47 of Forsaken

Jonah slides Kinsey a delicate look while they move toward Sean’s car. I shimmy into the passenger seat as Jonah opens Kinsey’s door for her, then walks around the back to get in on the other side. I glare at Sean—not because I actually care about him being my mate or anything, but just to point out the obvious differences between them. Sean never deserved a mate. He should’ve been one of the ones to go mateless his whole life. Especially since he’d rather break the connection than deal with his feelings.

Like the good host and hostess we are, Sean takes the long way to my parents’ house, and I point out things to Jonah and Kinsey, playing the part. Eventually, we pull up to my parents’ house. A cloud of uncertainty passes over me.

I used to find so much joy here, but all of that has been ripped away by something I had no control over.

Like it’s some sort of competition, Sean jumps out of the SUV and jogs around the car. He opens the door for me, and I narrow my eyes. With no pretense whatsoever, he grabs my hand and yanks me toward him. He smells like alcohol. Now that I’ve gotten a good look at him, he hasn’t shaved. He’s barely even done his hair. He’s just this side of being manic. “Nice try, Mia,” he confesses. “I wasn’t going to do anything, anyway.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” I snap. “Kinsey’s a friend from the academy, nothing more.” Louder, I ask, “Did Kinsey tell you that Jonah’s security for his alpha? That’s why they’re here.”

My mate narrows his eyes at me, and it’s as if I can see the wheels turning in his head, like he’s trying to decide if he should believe me or not.

Kinsey nods, meeting us in front of the car, holding hands with Jonah. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she says happily. “I would’ve died of boredom if you weren’t.”

Jonah gives her a playful elbow, and we all head up the curving concrete walkway. When we get to the door, I freeze. I don’t know if I should ring the doorbell or just stride inside. Why did things have to become so complicated? I’m a stranger in my own home.

Kinsey notices my reservation and asks Sean a question, stalling so I can get a hold of myself. Before I can think too much about it, I push the door open and let us inside.

My mother comes walking from the backroom. “Just in time.” Her voice trails off as her stare stops on my friends. “I’m sorry. I don’t know who you are.”

“This is Kinsey and Jonah,” I tell her. “They’re from Lunar. They’re mates.”

“Mia and I met at Greystone,” Kinsey supplies.

I didn’t want to out her like that if she didn’t want me to, but that seems to be one thing Kinsey doesn’t back down from. Yes, she was at Greystone, but look at her now.

“It’s nice to meet you. I hope we won’t be a bother. Jonah and I are in town for the Winter Solstice.” She lowers her voice. “He’s security for our alpha.”

My mom peers at Jonah like she can well imagine that’s what his job is.

I swallow the lessening lump in my throat. Mother won’t say anything now that Kinsey has dropped that they’re not only from a different pack, but that they’re kind of special, too. She shakes Kinsey’s hand and then Jonah’s. “I’ll set two more plates. No problem at all.”

My mother takes off, and Kinsey drops back to be with me. Jonah steps right in and starts talking to Sean as the four of us make our way to the dining room. Whatever my mother is serving, it smells delicious. She taught herself how to cook just so she could have amazing parties where everyone would compliment her all night long.

When we’re seated, I sigh in relief. Kinsey and Jonah really saved my ass. Their being here means Sean’s not going to try anything with me, and it takes the pressure off seeing my parents again.

When my father walks into the room, he gives me a small smile. He actually comes up to me, leans over, and kisses my cheek. Surprise ricochets through me, but I pat his hand on my shoulder as a little bright spot enters my day.

It doesn’t make the reality of my situation any better to swallow, though. Either I find evidence to turn Sean in or I leave everyone behind as a Feral wolf.

19

Several days pass, and Sean doesn’t get another chance at me because Kinsey is always there. And I mean always. From sunup to sundown, she’s at the cabin like she’s my personal protector. Sean got so frustrated yesterday that he bailed out of our walk midway through a pretend tour of Daybreak’s downtown that Kinsey inserted herself into.

We laughed our asses off when he made up a story about a work emergency.

This afternoon, I’m sitting in the passenger seat of her car on the way back into the center of the city. Jonah had to step away to do some security checks for Alpha Greystone before he arrives tonight for the festival. “What are we doing again?” I ask Kinsey.

She’s been skirting around my inquiries concerning our little impromptu detour, which Nathan was not happy about. My new phone pings, and I read the text he sent to check in with me. All good, I reply.

I understand what Kinsey went through with Jonah now. I don’t understand the nature and science of Nathan taking on the mate personality traits, but I’m not questioning it. It’s obvious that’s the way it is.

“You’ll see,” Kinsey replies.

I lean back in the seat. “I’m so happy you came when you did. They still haven’t lifted the restrictions. If I’m going Feral in less than a week, at least I get to go out and do stuff before then.”

“You’re not going Feral,” she states like it’s as simple as that.

I don’t argue with her; however, last time I checked, she had no sway over pack decisions. We still can’t find my phone, and the only thing we’ve been able to do after being restrained to the cabin is keep Sean away from me. It’s not as if Nathan and I can sneak out at night to spy on Sean and Gayle. I’m almost ready to tell Kinsey to lay off so that I can give them an opportunity to make their move—lure them in, so to speak.

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