Chapter
Four
“Home used to be a place I loved. But now, knowing that he will be coming for me, I find it a prison. Yet a part of me loves the idea that my mate will hunt me down. Damn werewolf instincts. The other part of me wants to keep a pair of fae blades in hand, ready to throw at his cheating face as soon as it comes into view. Sure, it’s also a handsome face; don’t remind me. I think I might be having a personality crisis. That’s a thing. If it wasn’t, it is now.” ~Tanya
“I want to make a detour,” Tanya announced as they stopped at yet another gas station for provisions and a bathroom break, courtesy of her small bladder.
“We’re already on a detour, and look what happened,” Trevor pointed out. “You found the one thing every Canis lupus hopes for and told him to take a hike.”
“A detour to where?” Austin ignored Trevor and pushed the door of the van open.
“Missouri.” Tanya hopped out and shut the door behind her. “I haven’t seen Lisa in forever, and since we’re still a ways from home, we might as well.”
Trevor sighed. “It’s in the opposite direction.”
Tanya didn’t look his way. “Not completely, just a few hours out of the way.”
Daniel held the door to the gas station open and gave Tanya a questioning look as she passed through. “Not to mention, the alpha told us to come straight back when we were done.”
“I’ll call him.” She waved her hand dismissively. “He’ll be fine with it.”
Trevor followed closely behind. “Will he be fine with it when he finds out you met your mate and rejected him?”
Tanya whipped around, her finger already pointed, ready to jab her packmate in the chest. “You will not say a word to my father.” She jabbed him three times. “It’s not your place.” She jabbed another three times. “And if you do, I’ll take you out.”
Trevor held up his hands and took a step back. “There’s no need to get violent, T.”
Austin stepped up beside her, and Daniel next to him. “Can we just get what we need, do your business, Tanya,”—he glanced at her—“and then talk about this in the van?” He ran a hand through his hair, his jaw clenched. As beta to her father, Daniel had the right to flat-out deny her request. The fact that he hadn’t simply done so gave her hope that he’d allow them to make the trip.
She gave a sharp nod and headed for the bathroom. Regardless of what Trevor said, Tanya wasn’t going home. Not yet. She wanted to talk to Lisa. She knew her friend could help her process her emotions.
Tanya hurried over to a pay phone and shoved in some coins before she dialed her mother’s number. Rose Ellis answered on the second ring, and Tanya couldn’t help but smile at her mother’s warm voice.
“Hello, darling. Your father told me that Daniel reported in just a couple of hours ago and said you all were on your way home. You didn’t find anything?”
“Oh, she found something,” Austin muttered standing only a few feet away from her.
Stupid werewolf hearing. It was challenging to have a private conversation with a Canis lupus around. Most were polite enough to simply ignore what they heard. Austin was not.
“What did he say?” her mom asked.
Tanya rubbed her hand across her forehead. “Nothing, Mom. Austin is just being his usual charming, obnoxious self.”
“Can I file a complaint with the alpha for emotional abuse?” Austin said a little louder, as if he needed to speak up for Rose to hear him.
“Now you’re just being ridiculous.” Tanya huffed, then focused her attention back on the conversation with her mom. “We started a detour through Texas because I can’t remember the last time I came through here. But then I thought, we’re so far away already, why not go visit Lisa?”
“You’ve been gone—” Rose began, but Tanya cut her off.
“She’s not getting any younger, Mom. Please. We’ll be safe. I’ve got the Three Stooges with me. What could possibly go wrong?”
“Please refer to my earlier comment.” Austin snorted, prompting Trevor to smack him on the back of the head. “What was that for?” Austin grumbled, rubbing the back of his head.
Tanya glanced between the two males as she continued to speak to her mom. “We’ll only stay a few days and then head straight home.”
“I really don’t like it when you’re so far from home, and there are rumors of rogues out there.” Concern filled her mother’s voice.
Tanya clenched her free hand into a fist, allowing her nails to bite into her flesh. She was on the verge of blurting out that she had met her true mate, but she knew that would lead to a barrage of questions she wasn’t prepared to answer. “Please, Mom. I really want to see her.” She wasn’t lying. It had been a long time since she had seen Lisa, even though they talked on the phone frequently. She missed Lisa’s face, warm hugs, and calming demeanor that always seemed to put her at ease. Tanya could use some of that peace right about now.
