Page 32 of Strays
I figured.
So she took advantage of the fact that she doesn’t have a regular aegis family, one that would’ve never let her come here alone, and didn’t even tell them she was meeting potential stray mates.
I understand why she did it. I’ve always known that bonding with a stray pack isn’t exactly what a family dreams of for their daughter. Still… her answer stings more than I expected.
It’s like Alice all over again. Another reminder of all the ways we’re lacking. That we aren’t the kind of mates she’d be proud to bring home.
The silence stretches, heavy. I can tell Shane and Jay’s thoughts aren’t much different from mine.
Jo drops her fork and looks at me before continuing. “But the fact that I didn’t tell them has nothing to do with you being strays. Even if you weren’t, they still wouldn’t approve of our bond. They always wanted me to find the right human guy and marry him, just like my mom did.”
Her voice is low. Sad. “You see, my father is a pastor, and my mom became really religious after she married him. They believe marriage should only ever be between two people. My dad always says my mother is proof that even if you’re born a sinner, you can still choose to live a holy life.”
Shane reaches for her hand, his fingers threading carefully through hers. “I’m sorry,” he says, his voice impossibly soft.
I know he understands. His grandparents never forgave his mother for getting involved with his fathers. He once told me that after her funeral, he overheard his grandmother whispering to one of his aunts that if his mother hadn’t become a whore, she wouldn’t have died so young.
Jo lets out a shaky breath. “That’s why I struggled so much when the Match Center reached out and told me we had such a high compatibility rate. I knew there was a real chance you’d be my scent-mates, and once I met you, I wouldn’t be able to walk away.”
She looks down at her lap. “My parents, they’re going to be really disappointed. They think what nyras do, bonding with an entire pack instead of one male, is an abomination.”
Shane’s still holding her hand when the door opens and a doctor steps inside. His eyes flick from them to where my hand rests over the blanket on her thigh, to Jay’s hand on her foot. “Good evening, Miss Johnson. How are you feeling today? Any dizziness or nausea?”
“No, I feel perfect,” Johane replies, her tone pleasant. Just like earlier when the nurse walked in, she wipes any trace of sadness from her face in a matter of seconds.
“Good.” The doctor checks his clipboard. “Your vitals look stable, and there are no complications, so I’ll be clearing you for discharge.”
He barely waits for her nod before continuing. “The cut on your arm needs to be kept clean and dry for forty-eight hours. I’m prescribing a topical antibiotic. If you notice any increased redness, swelling, warmth, or pus, come back immediately.”
She nods again.
“Now, about your ribs,” he continues. “Bruised ribs can be painful for a couple of weeks. You’ll need to take it easy and avoid anything that puts strain on your torso. Stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, and take your pain medication as needed. If you develop shortness of breath or severe pain, come back right away.”
Despite his stiff tone, Jo gives him a small smile. “Thank you, doctor.”
When he leaves, we help her stand so she can go to the bathroom and change out of the hospital gown into her own clothes. Seeing her on her feet for the first time, I realize just how small she is — maybe 5’7. If I hugged her, her head would rest near my heart.
Shane wants to carry her, and I fiercely agree with him, but she stubbornly insists she can walk just fine on her own. I watch in awe as she makes her way to the bathroom door, her long ponytail swaying behind her.
My phone rings. I answer, and a man on the other end tells me we’re expected at the MAB’s administrative building tomorrow at nine a.m. The call comes at the perfect time: I’d already been worrying about how we’d get Johane back to her hotel. We left our truck at the MAB, and there’s no way we’d fit in a cab.
I explain the situation, and the MAB guy agrees to send a car.
When she steps out of the bathroom, she looks even more beautiful in the jeans and soft blue sweater Alice left for her.
“Oh crap,” she exclaims, looking at me as I put my phone back in my pocket. “I just remembered that I need to find a store to get a new phone. I had mine in my back pocket last night, and when the car knocked me down, it shattered.”
So that’s why the MAB couldn’t reach her earlier. I feel even more grateful to Alice. Without her, who knows how long it would’ve taken for us to find out what happened and get to Johane?
“Here,” Shane says, pulling out his phone and holding it out to her. “It’s nothing fancy, but it works.”
“Oh, no, I couldn’t—” she starts, but he cuts her off.
“I don’t really need it. Jay and Kory have theirs, and we’re almost always together.” Then, before she can protest further, he slips the phone into the front pocket of her jeans.
She pulls it back out, leans in, and rises onto the tips of her toes to press a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you. I’ll text Alice so she knows she can reach me atthis number.”
He chuckles softly, fingertips brushing his cheek where she kissed him.
