Page 125 of Perfectly Naïve
“Seriously, Olivia? This is who you chose? I knew I should have done more to keep Henry from associating with people who were beneath him.”
“Mom!” Henry’s bark is powerful, and our mom flinches. “Stop it. Sawyer is my best friend, and he’s always been good to Liv. He’s not beneath anyone, least of all me. And neither are the rest of the guys in his pack. When did you become such a judgmental bitch?”
“Henry,” Darren says, but it’s hardly a warning.
“No, Dad, enough is enough. If you won’t check your wife, I will. She’s always treated Liv like shit, and you two stood back and let her.” Henry slides his attention to me, and there’s shame in his expression when he meets my gaze. “And so did I. I’m sorry, Liv. I should have stuck up for you more.”
“It’s okay,” I tell him. Because I don’t blame him. Besides, Henry letting me tag along with him and Sawyer was one of the only things that made me happy. In the end, it brought me to my pack.
“How dare you!” Mother screeches. “I will not be disrespected like this in my own home.”
“That’s quite enough, Marnie,” Eric says, soundingincredibly tired. “I think it’s time the three of us had a serious conversation.” My dad turns to me. “Sweetheart, don’t worry about your inheritance. It’s safe, and yours. Why don’t we plan dinner another day so we can get to know your mates?”
It’s difficult to speak around the lump in my throat, but I manage. “Yeah, Dad. I’d like that.”
“Good. Now, I hate to be rude, but I think it would be best if we called it a night. Are you staying here?”
I shake my head. “No. Thanks, but I’ll be living with my mates from now on.” I turn to my beta and alphas. “I have everything packed in two big suitcases. They’re in my room. Could one of you help me get them?”
Hayes nods his head. “I’ve got them, vixen.”
“I’ll show you to her room and help with the other one,” Henry says, clapping Hayes on the back. “The rest of you guys, get my sister out of here.”
A chorus of rumbled agreements fills the room, and Henry’s pack says their goodbyes to my parents before guiding Verity out with us. My mother’s shouts and screeches follow us. The dads realizing how terrible she is might’ve taken them a few years, but at least they see it now.
“Are you okay?” Verity asks, taking my hands in hers once we’re out of the house and down by the cars. “That was...”
“Embarassing?” I ask, giving her hands a squeeze.
“Only for Marnie. God, what a cunt.”
That has me laughing, and some of the tension drains out of my muscles. “She really is. But I think I’m fine. Mostly glad that’s all over with.” I may be holding up okay, but the fallout still hurts.
“You should have called us, gorgeous. We would have come right over so you didn’t have to face all of this alone.” Liam cups my jaw in both hands, and I lean into his touch, enjoying the way he scent marks me. Our bond snaps with electricity.
“I forgot my phone at home.”
He grins widely when I call their home mine, but then grows serious. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I nod. “I’m okay. I really want to go home.”
“You all are so cute together,” Verity says dreamily as Sawyer and Henry walk out of my parents’ house and load my suitcases into the car. “I’m so happy for you, Liv.” My sister-in-law nudges Liam out of the way and throws her arms around me in a tight hug. “We’re going to have you all over as soon as possible. I want to knoweverything.”
Her mates chuckle, as do mine.
I squeeze Verity right back and agree. Hopefully it will be the first of many family get-togethers. But for now? I’m utterly exhausted. Emotionally and physically drained, and all I want is to be surrounded by my mates. I’m going to drag them into my nest, and we’re going to snuggle up in a giant puppy pile.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” I promise her. “I’m so glad you're my sister-in-law.”
“Same. Now, go home and let your mates take care of you.” Verity winks, and one of her alphas wraps his arm around her waist. “I’m going to do the same. I’ll talk to you soon.”
We say our goodbyes and Wilder holds out his hand. “Keys, sweetness. I’ll drive your car home. You go with the guys.”
“I’m fine to drive,” I tell him, even though my head is starting to throb at my temples.
“I’m sure you are, but that doesn’t mean you have to. Let us take care of you.” Wilder cups my cheek, his expression tender. “Be a good omega and listen to your alpha, hmm?”
Despite my exhaustion, the low rasp of Wilder’s words has me relenting, and I hand him my keys without any further protest. It’s not difficult to give in to him, because it’s nice to be taken care of sometimes. More than nice.
