“So that’s all just nonsense,” Cassie says.
“Pretty much,” I answer, hoping to end the topic there.
So, you know when I said monsters and werewolves and witches weren’t real, Cassie? Well, actually they are, and this is your dad, and he’s an alpha wolf…
I put my face in my hand and try to suppress a groan. I can’t see any of this going well, and the more I think about it, the more questions I have.
Vampires? Dragons? Like, how far does this crazy, magical world go?
I look over at Rhys, wishing I could ask him, but even if we didn’t have Cassie in the back seat, I wouldn’t know where to start.
At least Cassie isn’t upset. That would have broken me in two.
Last night was our second night with Rhys, and Cassie seems to treat the entire situation as a grand adventure. She likes Rhys’s big house and the huge guest room. She enjoys the food and the nice, modern bathroom. Thankfully, Rhys has made absolutely no mention of him and me sharing a room, and if he did, I might lose my shit badly enough for Cassie to notice.
And I can’t let that happen. She’s having a great time for now, and I want to keep it that way.
It only takes a few minutes to get to the park, and a huge tribe of kids is galloping around like an unruly herd of mustangs. Their ages range from Cassie’s right up to thirteen-year-olds, who all appear to be wrangling the younger ones.
Cassie bursts from the back seat, her eyes wide and shining. “Can I go play, Mom?”
“Sure, sweetie,” I say, leaning down to give her a kiss. To my surprise, she doesn’t even notice me, just bolts straight towards the other kids. I watch her go, feeling a little bit abandoned.
This is good. She didn’t get out to play groups much before, because I was too busy and tired. This is a great improvement for her, and I need to get over my shit and let her enjoy it.
Rhys takes my hand. I jump a little, then remember the situation and try to look relaxed as we head up the grassy hill towards the other parents. It’s a small group of men and women. All of them turn to greet us, waving and smiling.
While Rhys introduces me, I’m sure I see disapproving glances shot my way, but I try to brush them off.
I’m imagining it. I’m just nervous.
Rhys immediately gets into a deep conversation with a couple of people, and I catch the vibe that wherever he goes, he’s in demand. Even though the conversation seems frivolous, Rhys gives the others his full attention, listening thoughtfully and replying carefully.
“So, how’s life with the alpha?” one of the girls asks me.
I look over at her and try to assess how to answer the question. “It’s nice, thank you. It’s only been a day, so I don’t really know.”
“Don’t get used to it,” she murmurs with a catty smile.
“What?”
“Oh, nothing,” she says, walking away. “Never mind.”
“Don’t worry about Helen,” one of the others says, shaking my hand. “She’s always rude. I’m Ella, and this is Carly and Eva.”
“Nice to meet you,” I say, shaking hands. Even though everyone shakes my hand, I can feel hostility in the air, and Eva actually wipes her hand on her skirt after touching me.
“I’ve always wondered,” Ella says, “what’s it like to have such dull senses. I mean, you’re practically blind and deaf, right?”
“Excuse me?” I ask in disbelief.
“Well, you can’t see the details on that branch above us, can you?”
“I can see the bark and the leaves, if that’s what you mean.”
“No, no,” Ella snickers. “There’s an ant crawling by the third bud, and a node at the edge of that leaf—you can’t see it?”
“No,” I answer.
