“Hey, Sofia?”
I pause.
“These things work out. I just want you to know that. Even though we don’t know what’s happened or who made my baby sad, you’re safe here. And…these things work out.”
Tears burn in my eyes, and it’s suddenly impossible to talk. I jerk my head in a nod; it’s all I can do. I might fall apart if I do more.
“Thanks, Dad.”
I wrench open the door before I collapse and tell him everything. I catch up Danger, ignoring his struggles as I take the stairs two at a time.
I get to the key bowl, looking for Heather’s keys, but they are still missing.
I close my hand over air and grab a pair of my flip-flops instead, stomping outside, pacing around.
A needy whine slips out. Where are they?
Work, they are working today.
I need them.
I put a hand to my stomach, my heat is getting closer. I’m unsettled. Memories of the indifferent alphas from my last heats crowd my head, making me feel gross.
I want them to come back. I need Devon’s smile, Elijah’s scent, and Mack’s touch.
But what if they don’t come back? What if they find out—No, they won’t find out. I hear a car and look up. Disappointment is a heavy rock on my shoulders when I spot the pastel pink bug with Betty’s stern countenance watching out. I go outside to meet her, hoping the fresh air will take my raging scent with it.
She parks the car and gets out.
“Afternoon, Sofia.”
“Hey, Betty.”
She steps onto the porch, and her nostrils flare. She looks at me cautiously. “Looking forward to the second date?”
“Sure,” I say with a weak smile.
“Your mother was worried about picking that pack for you, but we all can see it’s the absolute best choice, even though she fought against it.”
“She fought against it?”
“At the start, I think she was worried you might get hurt again. It’s never easy letting one’s children make mistakes that we ourselves can see clear as day.”
I lean against the railing. Mum was against our being together?
“Well, have a nice evening. We’ve got a Pack Maker meeting here, so we’ll be taking over the kitchen.”
Ugh, I will happily be anywhere but here, then.
“Okay, I might head out, see if Asher or Felix are free to have dinner with me.”
“Or you could take that nice young alpha out,” she murmurs.
I turn and spot Mack walking up the street. My heart jolts, and butterflies burst free of their jar and swarm in my chest. His hair lifts in the light breeze, his shirt is rolled up to his elbows, and he’s in jeans that are tight in the right areas. He looks incredible.
I don’t know when Betty leaves, only that she’s gone by the time Mack gets to me.
“Did you have fun with Asher and Cordie?”
