Hope waited until the room cleared. “What’s happening between you and Atticus?”
I ran my hand over my belly, quietly wondering if my baby had shifted back to human form or was still hiding as a wolf. “Honestly, I don’t know. I think he’s trying to make up for what happened to me.”
Hope shook her head. “If Atticus wanted to make reparations, he would have done it directly with Tak. They might have come to an arrangement about catering a meal, but thatdoesn’t explain the roses. Or the fact he paid for your lunch the other day.” She tapped her chin. “This is what men do when they’re courting a woman.”
I adamantly shook my head. “There’s nothing going on between us.”
She touched her white feather earring. “Tak grew up on tribal land and didn’t associate with other Breeds. That’s why it takes him longer to warm up to them. I didn’t learn the same prejudices. Granted, some Vampires are extremely dangerous, but not Atticus. I’ve known him since Melody and I were teens. He’s always kept to himself, but he genuinely loved helping with the bakery and was always friendly. Sometimes he would sneak macaroons to us when no one was looking. I’ve never had a reason to question his intentions. You don’t think he’s handsome?”
Handsome wasn’t the issue. Atticus could stop a heart with his regal looks. If not for those inky-black eyes and fangs, I might have entertained the idea of him as my suitor.
“Can I be honest?” Hope asked. “Sometimes I feel like I don’t know you.”
Overcome with emotion, I burst into tears. “SometimesIdon’t even know who I am anymore.”
Lakota appeared naked in the hall entrance.
Hope shielded her eyes playfully. “Can’t you shift somewhere else? A sister shouldn’t see such things.”
He dipped behind one of the fake trees. “What’s going on? I heard someone crying.”
“Nothing, brother. You focus on the food, and I’ll take care of Joy.” Hope threw him his pants.
The next thing I knew, we were in the art room.
She sat me down on the hot-pink sofa.
“I’m sorry for having a meltdown,” I croaked.
“Don’t be silly. And don’t you dare blame it on hormones. You have a right to be emotional. It was hard enough joining a pack of strangers, but I can’t imagine what you’ve been going through all these past months. Let it out.”
The emotions crashed through me in waves as I wept on her shoulder.
Why did this have to happen to me?
These people had no idea what I’d gone through—no idea. I desperately wanted to tell them, but I was scared.
What do I do? What do I do?
“You can trust me, Joy. Whatever’s troubling you, I promise you can trust me. It hurts to see you this upset.”
Though Salem knew my secrets, I felt abandoned. The truth had freed him of his obligations, and though he still wanted to remain in the pack, we no longer had a connection. Not that we were ever close. Salem had always been a reticent man and approached everything with an analytical and pragmatic attitude—not exactly best-friend material.
She has a baby on the way, so she justhasto understand. I can’t keep this a secret any longer.
Leaning back, I wiped my eyes and sniffled. “Can I tell you first, before you invite Tak? I don’t want him to look at me like a monster.”
“Don’t say such things.” Hope pulled a tissue from the table behind her and offered it.
After blowing my nose and collecting myself, I drew in a deep breath and began. “The baby was the result of a lab experiment. Salem was one of the workers, and he’s also the one who saved me.”
Chapter 8
Hope’s stunned reaction had me second-guessing whether telling her was the right move, especially given she suffered from anxiety attacks. The last thing I wanted was to trigger one, but after processing my statement, she squeezed my hand and encouraged me to continue.
Despite the rambunctious chatter in the other room, I managed to unearth my darkest secret. “Back when I was an impersonator in Breed clubs, I made a lot of money around the world. Men were generous, but they were also cruel and selfish. They didn’t see me as a person but as a commodity. One of them didthis.” I touched the scar that ran across my forehead. “It changed the trajectory of my career. My performances were on the decline anyhow, but this setback didn’t help.”
“That must have been difficult. I’m sorry.” Hope looked at me in earnest. As someone who also carried scars, she must have understood what’s stolen when someone attacks you.
