Page 103 of Shifters Unifying
“You’ll have to find your own solution,” I said, clenching my hands together on the surface of my desk. “Without my help. Or sleep with your new bestie. It makes no difference to me.”
“I’ve already shared a mate with her. Against my will,” she snapped.
“He said you two were on a break,” the other woman said.
“A break not broken up.” Her nostrils flared. To me, she said, “Not broken up. We were working through things. Assign me a different bed.”
I studied the shorter, friendlier, and quieter of the two. “So, what about you? Do you have anything to say about where you sleep tonight?”
She shrugged. “Listen, she dragged me in here. I can sleep anywhere, but if there are options, I would rather not stay with her either. She might try to murder me in my sleep.”
When I stood, my desk chair creaked. “Listen, we don’t have much of a selection right now, so I don’t care where you two bed down,” I bit out. “Sleep outside. Build a den any place, makes my job easier. But if you want to recoup in a bed inside a structure, you must share. We don’t have enough mattresses to go around fifty new shifters, and currently, the wounded have all the cots. Frankly, you’re not dead or sworn to Acheron, so I call that a win. The rest is inconsequential.”
The taller one dropped her arms and put her hands on her hips. “Damn it. Then I’ll just build my own den over by the gym, in the middle of everything.”
“Perfect. Do that. Sounds like you didn’t need to bother me with your childish squabble,” I snapped. “Now get fucking lost and let me get back to compiling the list of casualties.”
They both gasped, but at least they didn’t stick around to bitch at me about my temper or my unprofessional language. They scurried out without another sound, and I slammed my hand on my desk and then collapsed in my chair.
Olivia appeared on the threshold a moment later with Jasper trailing after her.
“What now?” I groaned.
“You have a visitor, and you’re going to want to make time for this one,” she said. Her voice held a forced cheerful lilt that made me suspicious.
Behind her, Jasper grinned from ear to ear. His beard practically quivered with delight. “And I think she’s brought her wooden spoon along for ye, Logan.”
“What the hell are you two going on about?”
Olivia waved to someone around the corner. “Come in, Ms. Carter. I told you he wasn’t too busy to see you today. He can probably tell you where you’re going to sleep.”
Emma’s mother marched into my office, dragging a small, squeaky-wheeled suitcase behind her. She positioned it against the wall, out of the way, shoved her car keys into her pocket, and tucked her graying hair behind her ear. Then she stopped in front of one of the upholstered chairs.
“Ms… Sophia,” I stammered. “This really isn’t a good time for a visit. We’re?—”
“Mr. Blackwood,” she interjected. “I haven’t heard from Emma in weeks, and you were supposed to have her call me.” The older woman stomped her foot and grasped the pendant on her necklace. Despite the fire in her eyes, her hands trembled. “You can’t keep her from me, young man. I am hermother.”
“Of course, Ms. Carter. Emma’s been quite busy with… with…” How did I explain what Emma had been up to? “Pack business,” I finished lamely. “It’s taken all of her attention.”
“Nevertheless, I have nothing else to hold me in Willow Creek, and it’s been years since I’ve been out to the country. I’ll be honest,” she took in the library and the well-appointed office, “I hadn’t expected your compound to be quite so nice.” She scowled as a figure passed by the window. “Or quite so busy.”
“I thought you were going to work out a time to visit… With Olivia.” I widened my eyes at my beta. “I thought that’s what we agreed on.”
“Well, after she sent me the location pin, I asked my neighbor to show me how to get it to work on my GPS, and I thought I might as well pack a bag and come on out. It’s not like Emma called to tell me otherwise,” she finished dryly.
“That was an oversight on my part, Ms. Carter. I do apologize, but if we could postpone your visit until a time when we’re less crowded, I would?—”
“I’m here now, so let’s work from that. Shall we?”
“I don’t think?—”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Blackwood. Once you show me to my cabin that promised me, I’ll stay out of the way.” She paused and glared at me. “But I’m not leaving until I speak with Emma.
Jasper had the gall to snicker. “Shoulda brought popcorn.”
“Where do want me to put her, Logan?” Olivia asked as though she hadn’t witnessed me backpedaling my way out of a visit from what would likely turn into my mother-in-law. “Maybe one of the cabins?”
“You know…” I paused to think. “I believe the two women who were just in here may have vacated their cabin.”
