Page 48 of Cost of Courting

Funnily enough, the teens are avoiding the new pack. I ponder the situation. Is this loyalty?

“Those kids remember you guys. The younger ones don’t,” Clark whispers. “They adore you. Of course, they are on your side. Just because we’re happy they are back doesn’t mean that anyone here has forgotten the hurt they caused, Selene. We remember who helped us, who stayed.”

My eyes sting, but I stare at the kids until the feeling passes.

“Is everyone else okay?” I ask Clark.

She hesitates. “Mrs Gremaline is struggling.”

“What does she need?”

“Aside from a new alpha?” Clark snorts. “She hasn’t been able to get the money together for her debt repayments.”

I snarl softly, my body still aches a little bit, but it looks like I’m going to be fighting again.

“How much?”

Clark turns away, putting an arm around my shoulder and drawing me away.

“He’s been betting again. I found out she’s possibly a couple of months behind.” Clark squeezes my shoulder and walks back to the group, leaving me behind, while I try to figure out how to save Dulcie.

I spit out a curse. I’ll have to fight a couple of times in order to get her out of this. With another bitter groan, I put my hands on my hips, tilt my head back, and just take a second, letting the sunlight hit my face.

“Can’t give up. Can’t back down.”

“From what?”

I squeeze my eyes tighter and shake my head, but a soft paw and then a heavy weight slipping onto my shoulders has me opening my eyes.

Shade looks at me and lets out a low meow. I reach up and scratch his chin, but I can’t say no to anything that has eyes that beautiful.

“Selene, talk to us. Please.”

I reluctantly look at Kingston and find the years falling away. The sense of family, the friendship, that feeling of belonging they stole when they chased after that bitch of an omega and tossed me aside.

“Nah. I see no reason for us to talk.”

I walk off. If the cat wants to stay with me, he’s more than welcome, but as soon as we pass the pizza, the cat, like his human pet, abandons me for someone better.

“See you guys next week!” I shout.

No one notices me. They don’t look at me. I let out a little growl of frustration and push them all to the back of my mind.

I have a situation that needs sorting.

Chapter twelve

Selene

“Dulcie, why didn’t youtell me?”

She looks down. The stench of shame fills the room. She’s a woman in hertwilight years with grey hair and a thick waist. Dulcie is still beautiful, although, these days, she carries her misery and defeat like a blanket around her.

“I didn’t want to bother you.”

I reach out and cover her hand. “I might have been able to stop him.”

“And you might not. It’s done now. I’ll go see Benson tomorrow.”

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