Page 20 of Their Shared Mate
“Can we finally talk about this, or are you determined to hate me?” Heather asked, clearly frustrated by Claire’s attitude.
“Oh, no.” Tara frowned and started to rise. “Should I leave?”
“No,” Claire said firmly. “Heather owes me an apology. And if she doesn’t get to it quickly, I’m going upstairs.”
“I’m sorry I told your suitor that you were torturing yourself with guilt. None of us has been able to reach you. I thought maybe he could.” Heather sighed and tried again. “You’re right. They were not my secrets to tell, but I didn’t reveal them out of malice. I’m worried about you.”
Tara looked at Claire, confusion clear in her expression. “Can someone catch me up? I have no idea what you guys are talking about.”
Heather held up her hands and took a step backward. “I’m not making the same mistake again. If Claire wants to tell you what happened, she’ll have to do it herself.”
Undeterred, Tara looked at Claire expectantly. “What happened? Why are you mad at Heather?”
“As I mentioned before, Raphael and I didn’t click at first. He made me feel feisty and Rydarian males don’t appreciate feisty women.”
“What does that have to do with Heather?” Tara wanted to know.
“Raphael overheard me admitting that I wasn’t taking the gatherings seriously and he wanted to know if I was going todo the same thing up here. I didn’t realize that he was Victor’s roommate, so I thought he was just being bossy.”
“She gets super mouthy whenever he’s around,” Heather interjected. “I’m not sure if she hates him or has the hots for him.”
“Oh, I’m pretty sure it’s the latter,” Tara said with a grin. “Bonding fever makes females challenge their potential mates. Anyway, please continue,” she said to Claire.
“I was arguing with Raphael and Heather blurts out that my brother was killed by the wolves and I feel horribly guilty about it.”
“Well, he was, and you do,” Heather grumbled.
“You had no right to tell Raphael any of it,” Claire insisted, getting angry all over again.
“I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry I betrayed your trust, but I am not sorry I told him. You needed a good hard shove, and I didn’t know what else to do. You were with them for a couple of hours and Victor brought you back, so I’m pretty sure you’re being courted now. Will you please forgive me? I didn’t do it to hurt you. I honestly care about you and would never hurt you intentionally.”
Claire released her frustration with a sigh and stood up. “I’m over it. It’s forgotten.” She hugged Heather and then smiled. “And you’re right. Victor and Raphael are courting me.”
“Oh, thank God,” Heather laughed. “I’m glad something good came out of my impulse. I hate it when people are mad at me.”
They sat down and the conversation returned to less serious topics.
“Molly started a pool,” Heather told them in a conspirator’s whisper. “She’s taking bets on who will attract suitors first.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “Who are people choosing?”
“Kristen, of course. She has six bets already.”
Kristen was built like a centerfold, so that was no surprise.
“Who else?” Tara asked, though she didn’t seem amused by the development.
“Claire has two bets,” Heather admitted. “I wasn’t the only one who noticed Victor watching her.”
“Did you place one of the bets?” Claire asked with a playful glare.
“No, but only because I had inside information. I knew you were alone with them at the time and didn’t think it would be fair.”
“Would Kristen be upset if she knew people were betting on her boobs?” Tara asked, then laughed helplessly. “That did not come out right.”
“She is very proud of her boobs, so the answer is an emphatic no,” Heather assured her.
“Well, I’m about to make two people some money,” Claire said with a dreamy smile. “Victor and Raphael intend to court me, and I’ve decided to allow it.” Heather and Tara both laughed uproariously, so Claire asked, “What the hell is so funny?”
