“I don’t discuss this,” I say flatly. “Especially not with someone I barely know.”
Her face falls, hurt flashing in her eyes before she masks it. “I understand. I apologize for bringing it up.”
“It was a long time ago.” I signal for the waiter, suddenly desperate to end this dinner. “I think we’re done here.”
“Kieran,” she says softly, reaching across the table as if to touch my hand before thinking better of it and withdrawing. “I’m truly sorry for your loss. I know what it’s like…”
“You don’t know anything about my family,” I interrupt, the words sharper than I intend. “And I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t use Nora to gather information about us.”
“That wasn’t what I was doing at all. Nora brought it up herself. I would never pry like that,” she says, her face pink.
“Check, please,” I tell the approaching waiter, cutting her off. I can’t do this. Can’t sit here with her looking at me with those eyes full of pity, talking about the worst day of my life like it’s appropriate dinner conversation.
Francine falls silent, her lower lip caught between her teeth as she fights back tears. I hate myself for putting that expression on her face, but I can’t seem to stop the defensive anger that’s overtaken me. This is exactly why bringing an omega into our pack is dangerous.
The drive back to the pack house is excruciatingly silent.
I’ve put the news on the radio just to have some noise filling the space between us. Francine stares out the passenger window, her profile illuminated by passing streetlights, occasionally reaching up to wipe at her cheek when she thinks I’m not looking.
I sigh, running a hand through my hair as I navigate the winding roads leading back to our estate.
“I didn’t mean to be so cold at the restaurant,” I finally say, the words feeling inadequate. “The topic of my parents is... difficult for me. I should have explained that instead of snapping at you.”
“I understand. I shouldn’t have brought it up,” she says, her face still turned away from me.
“It’s fine that you asked. I just need to do what’s best for the pack, and sometimes that means keeping certain boundaries in place.”
“I can leave,” she says, her voice quiet. “Tomorrow morning. So I won’t be your problem anymore.”
My heart actually stops for a beat, then resumes at double speed. The thought of her leaving and never seeing her again, never catching her scent in the halls of our home, and never watching her with Nora sends a spike of panic through me.
“No,” I say immediately, more forcefully than intended. I soften my voice. “No, that won’t be necessary. Having you around won’t be a problem at all.”
She finally looks at me, her eyes searching my face in the dim light of the car. “Are you sure? Because if you’re uncomfortable with me being there, I can leave right away.”
“I’m sure,” I interrupt, unable to bear hearing the rest of that sentence. “Please, stay. Nora needs you.”
I need you too.
She nods slowly, turning back to the window. “Alright.”
She doesn’t deserve an asshole like me making her life miserable. I feel bad, watching her carry herself with grace and poise, even though I can tell she’s angry with me. She doesn’t say anything for the rest of the ride, and I sigh, realizing that I need to do better instead of pushing her away.
Sixteen
FRANCINE
Two days later,pain rips through my belly as I kneel to help Nora fold her favorite butterfly t-shirt. It’s the third time in the last hour that this strange cramping keeps happening.
Sweat beads on my forehead as I force a smile, watching Nora bounce excitedly around her pink bedroom.
“Do you think I’ll need my rain boots?” Nora asks, holding up bright yellow boots. Her curly brown hair is tied into messy pigtails.
I nod, biting back a groan as another cramp twists through me. “Definitely. I think it’s going to rain, and you’ll want dry feet for hiking.”
“And my wolf stuffy?” She clutches the plush gray wolf to her chest, eyes wide with hope. “Rowan says I shouldn’t bring him because he might get lost, but I need him to sleep.”
“Okay, take him,” I say, sinking fully onto the floor as my legs tremble beneath me. The pain subsides momentarily, giving me a brief respite.
