That I should be doing more. Making conversation. Making everything less awkward so Beck doesn’t have to keep throwing himself against my mother’s indifference.
But I don’thave it in me.
And if Warren and Grason hate me a little for that, then I’ll live with it.
I take a small bite of my steak, chewing slowly, but I can’t seem to enjoy it.
I’m too fixed onhim.
You’re safe, I silently tell myself as I nudge a weird-looking carrot across my plate.Your pack is here.There’s no need to spiral.
But then awareness prickles along my skin and I look up.
Ken is looking right at me from across the table, his dark eyes fixed on my face, that vicious, little smile resting on his lips like we’re sharing a private joke. His focus crawls over my skin, and for a split second, I’m not here.
I’m thirteen again, and his hands are on my thigh, squeezing, his breath hot against my ear.
My stomach churns, and I look away.
The flash of memory is so sharp, so real, that it steals my breath. I used to get them all the time, those little jolts from the past, but now I realize that I haven't had a single one since Cass mated me.
It's like his mark killed all that fear, burying it so deep I forgot it was even there.
But now, sitting here, across from this monster, it feels like it never left.
I take a deep breath, trying to settle my heart, but instead of relief, Ken’s awful scent rips through me.
His weird lavender aroma is thick and cloying, suffocating, wiping out the comforting scents of my pack.
It's in my nose, in my throat, choking me.
My throat works and I’m suddenly worried I might gag.
Then Ken’s voice cuts through all the noise in my head.
“So.” His voice rises when there’s a lull in the conversation.He folds his hands together, eyes still locked on my face. “How did you find Tansy?” His gaze drags away from me to Cass. “You didn’t mention where you found her after she was…kidnapped.” The way he says it makes my teeth grind. Like he doesn’t really believe it.
My heart pounds and Warren shifts beside me. Just a fraction. Close enough that his arm brushes mine. He doesn’t look at me, but I’m sure he can sense something’s wrong.
“Well.” Cass wipes his mouth, then sets his napkin in his lap, before looking at Ken. “When we found her, she was pretty out of it,” he says. His voice is even, giving nothing away. “She was disoriented and scared. We got her medical help immediately.”
Dad nods once, approving.
“The doctor says she’s doing great,” Cass continues as he slowly turns to me. “She’s thriving.” His warm hand reaches for mine across the table, curling around my fingers. I anchor myself in the gentle look in his dark blue eyes. “I’m proud of her,” he says, clearly and without hesitation. “She’s been through a lot, even if some people choose not to believe it.” His eyes slide back to Ken, narrowing ever so slightly, like he’s challenging the alpha.
Something inside me breaks open, and relief hits so hard it almost hurts.
I’ve never had someone defend me before…
“That’s not really an answer,” Mom says loudly, cutting straight through the tender moment. “Wheredid you find her? Hiding in the woods? Offering herself up on some street corner?”
Another flash of memory, Ken’s voice whispering filth in my ear, his hands pinning me down.
I flinch, my fork clattering againstmy plate.
“Mom!” I gasp, shocked she’d say something so gross.
Ken tilts his head, watching me as if this is interesting. Like he’s waiting to see what I’ll do.
