“Oh, her husband is cheating on her with his secretary, and her dress is two sizes too small tonight. She’s also stealing from his company to be able to afford all the clothes she buys,” Silas says snidely. “I can also work into conversation how her husband looks as if he’s already three sheets to the wind tonight because he can’t stand her. She’ll be a laughingstock that can be easily removed from her little pedestal. The only reason it hasn’t happened yet is because people enjoy her snide comments.”
“Once people know she’s not innocent, no one will feel bad about her husband’s behavior,” I add. “It’s genius. Thank you.”
Pack Mayor leaves us to complete their underhanded task, and I feel a little better knowing that Winter will be able to work at the boutique without people touching her.
I’ll kill her as soon as her fall from grace happens and she won’t be missed. Her husband will be free to marry or fuck his newest side piece if his wife’s actions don’t land him in prison, and everyone wins.
I love our friends.
Cassidy’s parents accost us before we can move, and I have to force myself not to call them by their first names. When am I old enough to call my elders the names their parents gave them?
In the South, the answer to this is never.
“I see you brought your ragtag pack, Cassidy,” Marlene says with a smile that doesn’t show her teeth. “I don’t understand why you insist on never going anywhere alone.”
Because the last time she did, she got raped!
Taking a deep breath, I decide to choose violence because she did first. Fuck polite society.
“Mrs. Ainsworth, we all know that my ancestors would be rolling in their graves at being called ‘ragtag’,” I say. “I should tell my grandmother about this so she can tell my grandfather when she goes to visit his grave. You know she sees him every week without fail.”
“The woman is in her nineties, and certainly shouldn’t be prowling through the graveyard,” Marlene hisses at me.
“What my dear wife means,” her husband says, “is that we send your family our regards. Cassidy, it’s been much too long since we’ve seen each other. How are you?”
“I’m fine,” she says with a shrug. “Our omegas are here with the rest of our pack. It’s been a busy few weeks, but I can’t complain.”
“Omegas?” Marlene asks.
Barrett Ainsworth ignores his wife, and continues the conversation without her, making my lips twitch in amusement. I think he gives Marlene too much leeway when he needs to remind her that Cassidy is their daughter and perfect. If we ever have children, they’ll be spoiled with love and affection.
Oh wait, you can’t spoil children by loving them, and Marlene took the ability to have children away from her daughter with her selfishness.
Cassidy squeezes my arm hard to bring me back from daydreaming about killing them both. She deserved better from her parents. Hell, she deserves the world.
“Why won’t anyone talk to me,” Marlene complains.
“Congratulations on finding your scent matches,” Mr. Ainsworth says, never missing a beat. “Let’s find you champagne, dear. You look parched.”
Cassidy waits until they’re out of ear shot before she sighs.
“My mother is going to make a big deal about how old Bellamy and Winter are. I just know it,” she mutters.
“Can I zap her?” I ask, showing her the taser in my pocket. Bellamy has one as well, and Winter has a knife in her handbag. I refuse to play it safe.
“Only if she’s a really big dick,” Cassidy says. “We can blame it on a stress induced seizure.”
“Bet,” I reply, looking for our pack as we walk. “There’s Bellamy with Abbott… Where are Ansel and Winter?”
“Restroom maybe?” she asks. “Let’s go ask.”
We rejoin our pack, and Abbott notices our unasked question.
“Winter went to the restroom. Ansel is waiting outside of the door for her,” he explains. “We only have to be here for a little longer before we can go home.”
“Can we come back when it’s less crowded?” Bellamy asks, his eyes taking in all the beautiful art.
“I’ll rent out the place for your birthday,” Abbott says immediately. “Does that work?”
