“Of course I would,” he says. “I am sure we can push it back a little, because my parents are not going to hand the pack to me that easily. And we still need to bring them down.”
“It’s going to take you a few weeks,” Martin says. “Maybe months. Will you be ready to commit by then?”
“I am,” Forest says.
“Are you sure?” I ask him. “It means no way back. Well… I guess it’s not technically eternal, as we saw with Jordan, but he used an illegal substance on me.”
“Rose—“ Forest takes both of my hands into his. “I want you. I want you as my mate, I want you as my luna, I want you at my side as my best friend. The goddess literally tossed you to me when I was at my lowest, and I feel very privileged that she did. Not many people get that lucky to find someone they want to spend their life with.”
Of all he said, the fact that he called me his best friend hits me the hardest. Jordan always saw me as far beneath him, but Forest actually sees me on an equal level. I am not just his luna, I am also his best friend. Unsure what to say or do, I just nod.
“We don’t need to decide or act on anything immediately,” Forest tells the other two. “We still have a few weeks. That’s plenty.”
His optimism is contagious; I have to give him that. “You are right,” I say. “Let’s focus on our task at hand first. And… if we really need help, the elders in this pack seem to be decent.”
“Dr. Francis?” Forest asks. “I think he hates my parents.”
“Exactly,” I chuckle.
“Both elders do,” Griffin says. “I know that they have always tried to keep an eye on the orphanage and general pack affairs. Dr. Francis actually talked to me, too, a couple of times. He was always worried about me, because he knew the shitty alpha pair had it out for me.”
“I am sorry for that,” Forest says quietly.
Griffin shakes his head. “Not your fault.”
“So, you agree that they are safe to consult with?” I ask. “I have a bad track record with elders, so I don’t quite know.”
“In my opinion, they are,” Griffin says.
Martin and Forest both nod.
“Do you think we will need their help?” Martin asks.
“I am not sure,” I admit. “But Forest and I will be going to that huge gala tomorrow. Jordan will be there, and there is no way he will not have a reaction to seeing me.”
“Especially with me,” Forest adds. “As my mate and luna.”
I nod. “Exactly. We need to be prepared for anything. I am not worried about Jordan. He dug his own grave by telling everyone I was just his chosen mate. So, literally, it makes sense that I run into my mate once I am free from him. But there is no way your parents won’t find out.”
“I am not sure how they will react to the news,” Forest admits.
“They will probably paint me as a whore or cheater or someone who is out to use and betray you,” I say.
“Yeah, probably,” Griffin mutters.
I pull out my phone. “Even more reason for us to get to work now. I will send you the pictures I took today.”
“From asshole Harry’s office?” Martin asks. The way he calls him an asshole with such a straight face is hilarious.
“Exactly.”
“What are we looking for?” Griffin asks.
“We’ll need to find out what exactly they are doing with the money in their private account. Then, there is the flower shop, and maybe some other investments that don’t look right.”
“Are you implying they might have used pack money?” Martin asks.
I nod.
