Kaigrinned.
“Bythe way, mom, I’m pregnant,” I told her, changing the subject to lighten themood.
Hereyebrows shot up, mouth hung open. “Aurora! Wow. That’s wonderful. Will thebaby be a …?”
Ilooked at Kai and smiled. My mom didn’t know about the witch race or that I wasthe Matefinder. We didn’t want to scare her any more than she already was.“Yes. The baby will be a werewolf.”
Shelooked a little frightened at that. “Oh, well, that’s good. Right?”
Kaiwent to the kitchen and held up a bottle of wine. “Let’s celebrate!”
Ismiled.
“Nodrinking for you,” Kai told me and I frowned as he handed a glass of wine to mymother. Here we go, he was already taking away my wine. I growled.
Rebel
Iawoke the next morning and reluctantly said goodbye to Kai and the crew that hewas taking to Arizona. He left Max and Jai with me for protection. Both hadtheir smells taken by the witches so they would be good guards for me and theothers. I stood next to Max, waving them off and leaned in to smell him.
Maxgave me an odd look. “What? I wore deodorant,” he stated.
Ilaughed. Max and I had a rough start and it made our friendship now that muchsweeter. I would do anything for him.
“Ican’t smell you. It’s weird,” I told him.
“Oh,that.” He gave me a small smile. “It’s pretty cool.” He shrugged. Max wasnormally a vibrant person, always inserting his opinion whether wanted or not.Lately he seemed off.
“Youokay?” I asked as the troupe of cars drove away from the house and off to theairport.
Maxand I were alone now as he seemed to consider my words. “You know in ourculture, finding your mate is a huge deal. Huge. It’s everything we strive for.”
Ifrowned, knowing where this was going.
“Max.”I reached out to touch his shoulder. Watching the lines of pain dance acrosshis face.
Heshrugged me off. “No. It’s my fault! How stupid. She’s my mate! I should havehad the mating ceremony. Opened our bond. I can feel her a little, but it’sfaint and what I feel scares the shit out of me. I feel pain and rage andfear.” His jaw clenched, then he met my eyes. Yellow wolf threaded into hiscrystal blue eyes. “If Kai doesn’t fix this soon, I’m going rogue. I need tofind her. I’m going crazy!” He banged his fists on the sides of his head.
Myheart broke. I was the same way when Kai was taken by RAIDOS after Devon died.
Allof a sudden, a huge wave of responsibility crashed over me. I may not havecaused Tara and Sadie and the others to be taken but I could stop it. I couldgive myself up. Let them take me and then kill Layla and end this bullshit onceand for all!
Icould feel Kai probing my feelings so I quickly pushed them down but I wouldfix this, no matter the cost. Tara and Max deserved a future together after allthat had been taken from him. I wouldn’t take his second chance at having amate and a family.
Ilet my wolf come up to the surface and held Max’s gaze. “Max, I won’t beselfish.” Dominance oozed from me. “If there’s something I can do to get thegirls back, I will.”
Maxnodded. “I know that. That’s why I let you be second.” He swung an arm aroundme and we walked back into the house.
Ilaughed. “Hah! Let me. Whatever.” Shaking my head we entered the house and I wassurprised to see Alek waiting for me.
Maxglared at him.
“Iwonder if I might speak with Aurora alone?” Alek asked kindly as he sat perchedon my couch.
“Nope,”Max said immediately. Kai had left Max in charge of my safety. Freaking great.
Ilooked at Max. “Go for a run. I won’t leave the house.” It was an order.
Maxpinned Alek with his eyes. “I will go for a short walk around the house.” Mymother was at Emma’s helping with the baby and Jeremy was in the basement. Wewere alone.
