Page 41 of Shiny Things

“Oh, she did. And she can make it up to you by doing all of my work too, because I am not setting foot back in that house.” Back in Elias’s childhood home.

I nearly threw up at the thought. I’d just walked out on his mother.

It was just as I’d feared all along. That woman would never accept me into her family. My chest hurt at the thought. Elias loved his family. So where did that leave us now?

Elias

Chapter 12

I didn’t think anything could wipe the smile from my face, and then my mother called.

“Hi Mom, what’s up?”

“I can’t get in touch with your father.”

“He’s in a meeting. Can I help you with something?”

“Not unless you want to come over here and chop some vegetables for your sister. I swear, good help is hard to come by these days.”

I knew Kim was supposed to be helping Gia today. Had something happened? Was she okay? Where was my mate?

I started to violently shake at the thoughts of Kim being in danger or laying on the side of the road injured. What if she hit her head and forgot me? It could happen. It had happened to David. He still had no memory of anything before his accident, not even Gia.

I wanted to throw up.

“Where’s Kim?” I barked a lot harsher than I intended.

Mom sighed. “I said something about how ridiculous it was that the Grimes Flock was getting a seat on the Council, and she got butt hurt about it. I completely forgot that girl is a Grimes.”

My jaw locked. I was furious with her. I knew my mother could be an elitist, but I’d promised Kim that she would be okay. We hadn’t even mated yet, and I’d already failed her.

“Her father is the chosen representative, Mother.”

“I know. I know. She told me before stomping out and leaving me to do her job.”

“Why are you like this?”

“What? What did I do?”

“I have to go and make this right.”

“You’re going to take her side in this?”

“Wake up mother. Your precious class system is an archaic, dying absurdity that I will see an end to if it’s the last thing I do.”

I hung up on her and grabbed my helmet.

“Elias? Where are you going?” Dad asked when I passed him in the hallway.

“To clean up the mess your mate made.”

He sighed. “What did your mother do this time?”

“Ask her.”

I left, got on my bike, and rode to Kim’s house. I pulled in just behind her.

When I saw the tears streaking her cheeks, my heart sank.

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