“We hadn’t lived on the island for years,” Mark continued, “so when Susan’s friend and her mate passed, we were able to take Joshua in and pass him off as our child. We stayed on the island so that he could be close to his biological family, but—”
“What the hell are you talking about?”
Kira jumped and turned. Joshua stood in the doorway, pale, and his hands were already curled into fists.
Chapter 16 - Joshua
Joshua breathed deeply through his nose, trying to fight past the ache in his chest. His parents glanced at each other, with that familiar silent conversation passing between them. It was always born from the same place. They thought he was making a mistake, and this was their gentle attempt at course correction.
And like he’d told them so many times before, he wished that they would at least talk to him before taking matters into their own hands. Susan and Mark were loving, kind, and wholly devoted to the family. But it also meant that sometimes they did things with the best of intentions that went directly against his wishes.
“I told you not to say anything,” he gritted out, not wanting to look at Kira. Things were so strained between them, and the situation was so tense that it didn’t seem like the best time—especially after she told him that there was nothing between them except fucking.
“It wasn’t our intention to say anything tonight,” Mark said, his voice low and calm. “We thought she knew, and then when it became obvious that she didn’t—”
“You shouldn’t have told her,” Joshua insisted, his fists tightening. His chest tightened as he fought against the emotions raging through him.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen! What would Kira think of him now? She’d been an outcast in the pack because of her heritage, and meanwhile, he’d been hiding his. Would she hate him even more when she realized that his position would have been far different if the pack knew the truth?
Kira’s chair scraped against the floor as she stood. Joshua glanced at her and froze. Her mouth was drawn into a tight line, her blue eyes blazing. She looked about ready to leap across the table and deck him.
She did hate him. His heat sank as he met her gaze, trying not to flinch.
“You’ve had weeks to tell me. I asked a question. All they did was answer.”
Joshua took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. “I was going to tell you.”
“Don’t be mad at your parents for beating you to it,” Kira said angrily.
That brought him up short. Was she angry about the omission, or was it because of his reaction? He forced himself to unclench his fists.What do I need to do right now?
“It’s clear that we have problems because you didn’t—” She cut herself off and turned abruptly to the stove. “Mark made dinner for us.”
The sudden change of topic left Joshua reeling. But he recognized it for what it was. Kira didn’t want to fight, not in front of his parents. By the way she moved, it was clear shewantedto fight. At least, she wanted to get something off her chest. Her arms jerked as she started to dish up the plates.
Joshua took another deep breath. His heart still raced, but with the awkward looks his parents were sharing and the tension still in Kira’s shoulders, he knew he couldn’t leave it. “I’m sorry.”
She froze.
“Sorry?” Mark asked.
Joshua focused on his father and mother. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have reacted that way. You’re right. I should have told Kira about being adopted.” He slumped into a chair, resting his head in his hands. The truth was, it wasn’t even being adopted that he was keeping from her. The pack might put so much emphasis on bloodlines that being adopted was seen as a negative, but Kira wouldn’t. She wouldn’t think less of him.
She wouldn’t even be angry that he had opportunities that were denied to her because of her heritage. Even though those opportunities would have been harder for him had the pack known about his origins.
No. The truth was linked to everything else. The reason he rejected her all those years ago. The reason he would never have biological children.
If he told her the truth about that, she might reject him. And he wouldn’t blame her, not really.
His hands clenched into fists again, but he made himself press them flat on the table. The swirl of emotions still tightened his chest, but this time, he recognized his anger as the defensive reaction it was. He was still dangerously on edge, but maybe if he could get out the words, he wouldn’t be at risk of losing his temper again.
“I’m sorry, Kira. I should have told you before now. There just never seemed to be the right time.” No, that wasn’t the truth either. It was never the perfect time, but he’d had opportunities. “I guess I wasn’t ready for that discussion. That still doesn’t excuse my behavior.”
Kira brought over two plates for Mark and Susan. He thought she was going to ignore his words, but then she said, “There’s been a lot happening, so it’s understandable that we’re all on hair triggers. We’re all worried about the demons.”
Joshua let out a heavy breath. “Even so, I shouldn’t have lost my temper. I’m sorry.”
“So let’s have dinner. I’m sure we’ll all feel much better when we’ve eaten. Her tone was clipped, as though she was deliberately holding back. Which she probably was.
