by Jen L. Grey
"A pendant?" His brows furrowed, and he shook his head. "Why would he tell me about a piece of jewelry?"
The fact that he didn't smell like rotten eggs told me he wasn’t lying. He had no clue. He was sincere last night. "His father was an asshole to me until he saw my necklace."
Liam's eyes went straight to my neck. "You aren't wearing one."
"No shit. Kai told me to take it off."
"That better be the only thing he said to take off." Liam turned growly again.
"Really? I don't have time to mess with this." I hit CALL on my cell phone.
"Mia?" Max's voice was riddled with anxiety. "Where are you?"
"I'm..." Yeah, there was no way to make it where he wouldn't freak out.
"Let me take you, please." Liam touched my hand. "I'll stop being a moron."
"Really?" That was kind of hard to believe at this point. He'd been acting like a douche since the first night I met him.
"Yes, I promise."
"Mia? Are you there?" Max's voice sounded like it was on alert.
"Yeah, sorry. Look, there's something weird going on, and I'm heading back home. I wanted to let you know so you don't worry." This was something between Mom and me.
"Do you need a ride there?" It sounded like he was sitting up.
"No. Liam is going to take me." I glanced at him as his body sagged in relief.
"Are you sure that's a great idea? He was a dick last night. I was really worried when you left." Max's voice was strained, revealing his displeasure. "Bree texted me. Telling me you made it home was the only thing that brought me any comfort."
Oh, shit. She and I would be having a talk when I got back there. "No, it's fine. He's my mate, Max."
Liam’s large hand slipped around my naked waist, pulling me against him.
"Well, I don't know what the hell fate was smoking when it put you two together. You deserve so much better than him." Max's words were loud with conviction.
He's got a point there. Liam's lips brushed my cheek. Too bad you're stuck with me now.
I couldn't stop the huge-ass grin from spreading across my face. I really liked the sound of that. “Fate disagrees. Look, I was just worried about my brother. I wanted to talk to you and make sure you were okay."
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'd come over, but our coach demanded everyone to a mandatory practice after Wolf Moon kicked our collective asses, so I'm stuck here." He yawned. "But if he throws you out of the car or tries to kill Dad for hugging you, call me. I don't care who the hell he is; he doesn't hurt my family."
"I love you." He was my rock and was always there for every one of my wins and losses. There wasn't another brother better in this world than him.
"Love you too." A door opened and then shut. "I gotta go, but be careful." He hung up the phone.
"Are you two always like that with one another?" Liam's forehead creased. "You'd think you'd be at each other's throats, especially him knowing how much stronger you are."
"That's not how our family works." That made Mom pop back in my head. "Are you ready to go?"
"I guess it's time for me to meet my in-laws."
We both quickly dressed and headed to the door. "Let's go."
When we pulled into my parents' driveway, I felt like everything had become a little bizarre when I thought about much I'd changed since I left here. Before leaving, I was unsure and nervous about going to Wolf Moon. Now, I was determined to succeed, come hell or high water, and with my new mate by my side.
"This is your place?" He glanced around and looked at our neighborhood. "It's, uh... quaint.'’
"That's what insanely wealthy people call it." It was a normal run of the mill, middle-class neighborhood. Our house was a two-story with a nice back yard. Our whole pack made up the entire subdivision. Across the street was a large section of woods we all ran through. I headed up to the light blue door on our dark blue-shingled house and knocked.
Yes, I had a key, but they weren't expecting me. I didn't want Mom to know how upset I really was. It didn't take long before my Dad opened the door. A huge smile spread across his face. "Mia.” He pulled me into his arms and then stilled. “Uh..." His eyes glanced upward, and they landed on Liam. "Why is one of the heirs of The Blood Council here with you and you smell like him?"
"Well..." For the first time in my life, I was truly speechless.
"Hello, Mr. Davis. I'm Liam Hale, your daughter's mate." He held his hand out to my father.
Uh... who was this man standing by my side?
"Your mate?" Dad took a step back and shook his head as his forehead creased. "Laurrel, you need to come here."
"What is it..." Mom's eyes widened, and she hurried toward me until she saw Liam. Her whole demeanor changed. "Why the hell is he here?"
"Honey?" Dad’s eyes widened. "That's Liam Hale. The heir..."
"I know who he is, all right." She reached over and took my hand, pulling me away from him. "And he doesn't need to be sniffing..." Her voice trailed off as my scent hit her. "What have you done?"
"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Liam's usual arrogant side was snapping back into place. "Any Mom would be ecstatic to have me as their daughter's mate."
"Mia, I told you to choose." She pointed her finger at him. "They've already taken so much from us."
"You're not making any sense, honey." Dad came to Mom's side and touched her arm. "They haven't done anything to us."
"I'm assuming this has something to do with the pendant you gave me?" For the pendant to cause such a reaction from Kai's Dad and now Mom acting crazy toward Liam, something was going on.
"So, he found your pendant." She shook her head and frowned. "No wonder he claimed you."
"What the fuck is so important about this stupid pendant?" Liam threw both hands in the air and growled. "Between your Mom and Kai, it must be a sight to behold."
"He didn't see it. That was one of the first things I asked when Kai told me my pendant somehow linked back to the original Blood Council." I had a bad feeling that I might regret learning what she knew. "One that they purposefully wiped away from our history."
"What are you talking about?" Liam's eyes narrowed. "It's four silver paw prints."
"No, the original one was four silver paw prints, and the paw print that represented the overseer sat in the middle on top of the four. It was made of rubies." Mom huffed and stared at the ground.
"How did you have it?" Dad even looked confused, and then his body sagged. "We're going to have to tell her … aren't we? This is what you were talking about that day?"
"Yes, it was." Her eyes landed on Liam, and she pointed to the door. "But he doesn't get to listen."
Like hell, I'm leaving you. He entered the room and stood beside me. Something isn't right here.
I had a feeling I'd need him. "Mom, we've claimed each other. He'll find out the truth one way or another."
"Fine." She huffed. "It doesn't matter at this point anyway. Go ahead and get comfortable." She pointed to the living room, and I grabbed Liam's hand and tugged him inside.
As we entered the room, I sat down on the couch in front of the fireplace. Liam took a seat next to me, and Dad sat in the black leather recliner.
"Okay, so there's something..." Mom took a deep breath and glanced at Dad. "No, many things we haven't told you."
Liam reached out and took my hand in his.
I had a feeling I was going to need an anchor and was so damn glad he was the one with me now.
"You see, I was young." She laughed. "Barely twenty when I decided to visit a friend who was attending Wolf Moon. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine I'd meet my fated mate there."
"I didn't realize you went to Wolf Moon." My eyes landed right on Dad. "You said you graduated from KSU."
"That's because it wasn't him." Mom took a deep breath and stared straight into my eyes.
She had to be confused. What she was saying didn't make any sense. "But you two are mates."
"Chosen,
honey." Dad's words were low, and his eyes were glued to Mom.
"What? You’re not fated?" The walls began to swirl, and the words threw me off balance. "This doesn't make any sense."
Liam tensed beside me, but he kept a strong hold on my hand.
"It was love at first sight. Within a week, we were mated, and after several weeks of spending time together alone, we came back home. I didn't realize he'd be killed that same week we made it home." She clutched her heart as tears sprang to her eyes. "You see, the four members were doing something corrupt. Something that he realized was wrong. So when he went to confront them that night about it, he never came home."
"This isn't making any sense. Why would he be involved with the council?" I glanced at Dad, but he avoided my gaze.
"Honey, your father was Brent Forrest." Her eyes met mine.
That name was so familiar. My brain rushed to process it all. "What … The Overseer?"
"How is that possible?" Liam jumped to his feet and paced around the room. "He wasn't expecting."
"No, we were. We had just found out and didn’t share the news with anyone. He said he couldn't bring his baby into this world with what the council had planned. He was going to alert all the packs of what they were doing. He told me if he didn't make it back to run." She took a deep breath. "I waited until that next morning before I disappeared."
"You're not my dad?" My eyes went straight to Dad … Or Ethan. I didn't even know what to call him anymore.
"Oh, baby. I'll always be your dad if you'll have me." Tears filled his dark eyes. "You've been a light in my life."
"Wait... Max is older than me." It felt as though I couldn't breathe. "Are you not his mother?"
She shook her head no. "Not in the biological sense, but he is my son in every way that counts."
"You knew she was supposed to become the next Overseer, but you hid her?" Liam pulled me into his arms, but his body was tense. "Are you sure the council was involved with his disappearance?"
"Yes. Brent had said that if he didn't make it back, I needed to run and hide the baby. No matter what happened to protect our child." Mom's body seemed to deflate as she paced in front of us. "He said that if his heir was to step into the role the way it currently worked, they wouldn't be made strong and selfless but full of hatred and self-interest. So I did the best I knew how. A couple of months before the end of my pregnancy, I found a man that I loved, and together we raised a close, tight family."
"Where is Max's biological mom?" This had to be a nightmare. I'd gladly pinch myself and wake up.
"She died too." Dad took a deep breath and blew it out. "Your mom and I found a second chance at love with one another. I had a son that was barely a year old, and she was about to have you. Somehow, together, we found a glimmer of happiness in our darkest time. That's why we always pushed you and Max to stay close and not compete with one another. We knew how blessed we were to have another chance at love."
"But you lost your fated." I couldn't imagine what it'd be like if I lost Liam.
"And it hurt like hell, but life moves on. Even though we can never love each other like we loved our fated, it's enough to be content and watch our babies grow." Tears dripped down my mother's face.
The world seemed to crumble, and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. “Does Max know?”
“No, he doesn’t.” Mom wiped her cheeks and met my gaze. “Obviously, we have to tell him now. We had always planned to tell you both, but the time never seemed right.”
Dad stood from his seat and held his arms out to me. “I know I’m not your father by blood, but I love you as if you were my own little girl and always have. That’s why I was so happy when you got the acceptance letter from Wolf Moon. You deserved that chance just as much as Max. Hell, probably more so. I always saw how much you held back for him. I just hope you can forgive me and still let me be part of your life.”
He thought I was giving up on him. I rushed into his arms and held on tight. “You’re my father. Nothing in the world would change that.” Tears streamed down my cheeks, but I didn’t give a damn. “It’s just a lot to process all at once, but I love you, and that will never change.”
His shoulders shook, and soon I felt warm drips of what had to be tears hit my shoulder. “I’m so damn lucky to have the two of you in my life.”
When I pulled back, my mom crossed her arms, rubbing her biceps soothingly. Her eyes were glued to the ground. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
“That’s why you didn’t want me to go.” I walked over to her and hugged her. “I get why you didn’t tell us, but I wish you had. Last summer would have been the perfect opportunity.”
“You’re right. I should’ve.” She hugged me tightly in her arms. “But I tried to do what I thought was right at the time.”
“I know.” They both gave Max and me everything. I couldn’t hold this against them.
Liam’s phone began to ring.
It had rung several times on the way here. His dad was blowing up his phone. The longer we waited, the worse it’d be. And honestly, the news was still sinking in. "I'm sorry. I have to go." I needed distance, to get away from it all.
"Don’t you have a few more minutes?" Mom reached for me, but Liam stepped in front with his back turned toward her, effectively blocking her.
"We can stay longer if you want." Liam shook his head and glanced around the house again.
“No, your Dad has been calling, and you need to get back to talk with him.” That was something he needed to do in person.
I leaned around Liam and smiled at my mother. “I’ll come back soon, but we have to get back to campus.”
She gave me a sad smile but nodded. Both Mom and Dad watched as we walked out the front door.
I hadn’t meant to hurt them. I just needed to know the truth, but now I realized ignorance was bliss.
As Liam took my hand and led me to the Escalade, I felt as if I couldn't feel my legs.
He opened my door and helped me inside, allowing me to break down. "What do you need for me to do?"
"I don't know." My whole world had crumbled in a matter of hours. No wonder she didn't want me to wear the necklace. She didn't want this all to come out.
He walked over to the driver’s side and climbed in. "Ready to go back to the Academy?"
I nodded my head. "But I don't want to let anyone else know." I hadn't even considered something like this would be my truth. "Promise me you won't tell a soul."
"Of course, I promise." He pulled out of the drive and turned back onto the road. "We have to be careful about how and when this information comes out."
"What do you mean? I just asked you not to share."
He reached over and took my hand in his, brushing his thumb gently against my skin. "It's not me we have to worry about. It's Kai's father."
I sucked in a huge breath. My mate was right. Kai’s dad must know what this could mean. He could ruin it all for me.
Chapter Twenty
Liam's phone kept ringing on the way home, so often that he wound up turning it off. As we pulled into Wolf Moon Academy, he took a deep breath and sighed. "I hate to do this, but I have to meet the others. Apparently, Micah and Simon ratted me out to our parents, so they are demanding to see me."
"Should I come with you?" I really wanted to be close to him after everything I had learned. I almost felt like I didn't know who I was any longer.
"No, they'll just take their anger out on you." He squeezed my hand that was still in his. "But I'll come back to your dorm when it's all said and done."
"Okay." I had to trust his judgment. It was the only way our relationship was going to work. But those people killed my father. Could they possibly kill their sons too? Surely not.
He pulled into a front spot, and we both climbed out of the car. He waited for me as I caught up to him, taking my hand again.
The sun was setting now that we’d finally made it here. The day had seemed like the longest short day ever. I wasn
't sure if it should still be morning or late at night. My body felt drained, but I'd been so lost in thought it felt like we arrived back here in a matter of minutes instead of two hours.
When I reached the door, he pulled me into his arms and kissed my lips.
"I won't be long." He brushed his fingertips across my cheek.
I nodded my head. It felt like I was only going through the motions. There was something numb inside me.
"Hey." He took a deep breath and stared into my eyes. "What you learned doesn't change anything about you. You're still the same damn girl that had me fall for her the night she stood up to me at a college party. You're that same person if not stronger, and I regret listening to my dad and the other heirs."
My heart warmed to his words. "Then why did you hurt me?"
"I didn't know what else to do." He blew out his breath and closed his eyes. "They threatened me to stay away, and I'm sorry I didn't fight for us then. But I will now."
I needed to hear that. "We'll get through this together."
"Yes, we will." He kissed my lips and pulled away. "The longer I take to get there, the worse it'll be. I shouldn't be much longer than thirty minutes."
"Please, be careful, and I'll be here." I watched him hurry off to the building that housed the gym and restaurant. He must be meeting them on the top floor where they conduct their business when onsite.
When he disappeared into the building, a loud scream echoed from the woods. It sounded like Max.
Without hesitation, I headed toward the area Kai had taken us during the orientation tour only a month and a half ago. I raced deep into the woods and stumbled to a stop.
Max was chained to a tree, crying out in pain. Deep claw marks were gouged into his arms and his stomach, the gaping wounds pouring blood.
"Oh my God ..." I hurried over to him as my voice made his head struggle to glance up.
"Mia, no!" He cried the words, but it was too late.
Both Simon and Micah walked out from the thick trees to the left of us.
My heart dropped.
"We warned you." Simon shook his head and frowned. "We said if you messed with us, we'd take it out on your brother."
