Page 20 of Forgotten Mate

“I know it was at the Assembly. I meant,where at the Assembly?”

Her eyes narrowed. “What is all this about?You leave for a week and now won’t hug me hello?”

Greyden studied her face. How did he missthe shifty nature of her eyes, or the calculating gleam in them?Zenia was nothing like her, and he was damn glad. He may not knowher completely, but he had the feeling if the washer women neededhelp, she’d immediately jump in.

“Do you know where I went this past week?”he asked.

“I think your father said you went to thepacks in Wyoming for … um, actually I’m not sure.”

“I’ve collected bids from constructioncompanies in order to expand this packhouse and to add more housingsince the pack is growing.”

She snapped her fingers. “That’s right! Didyou find a company?”

“I did,” he said. “A company owned by analpha. And while there, you’ll never believe who I ran into.”

The door where she’d just come throughopened again, and Zenia strolled into the lodge like the fuckingqueen he intended to make her. He had a lot to make up for,although she’d never hold the past five years against him. He,however, was still a little too bitter to let it go. Layton tookone look and all the color drained from her face.

“I went to Sheridan, Colorado,” he said,letting that sink it.

Zenia joined him and he took hold of herhand and kissed the back of it. Greyden smiled down at his truemate, thankful he found her.

“Z,” Layton whispered.

Zenia looked at her. “Hello, Layton. Fancyseeing you here. With my mate.”

She opened her mouth, ready to defendherself, then closed it again knowing she didn’t have any leg tostand on. Instead, she lifted her chin. Absolutely showing noremorse at all.

“Why did you steal him?” Zenia asked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.He’s lying to you.”

“He is?”

Layton nodded. “Yes. He … he kidnapped me.Brought me here. Thank the High Luna you found me!”

“Really?” Zenia’s tone proved she didn’tbelieve anything being said. “He kidnapped you?”

“Yes! He came on to me and I said you’re myfriend and I couldn’t betray you, but he didn’t care.”

“That’s funny, because the warlock thatbroke the dark magic spell on Greyden said it was made by apowerful caster, someone in proximity, and then I remembered howyou said your uncle was one of the planners of the Assembly. Myalpha made inquiries and we learned your maternal side descendedfrom warlocks. Now, I don’t think you’re that powerful of a caster,but your uncle … now, he’s a different story.”

Layton backed up. “I don’t know what you’retalking about.”

“Then let me say it as succinct as I can.You took my mate from me, you conniving, calculating bitch!”

Layton rushed up to her. “You were always sosmug! I’d been going to the Assembly for years and you find yourmate within a couple of hours? That’s bullshit! And ofcourse, he has to be an alpha heir! You’ll be Luna one day andthere I was still wondering who the hell was my mate. Then guesswhat? I found him. A stupid omega. That’s who the High Luna gaveme. You get the alpha and I get the bottom of the barrel. I was notgoing to stand for that. And guess what? Greyden gave me the matingmark!”

She pulled her shirt to the side to show offhis bite. Greyden felt nothing but disgust. He listened to thereason why Zenia was taken from him, why his son died, and it madehim sick. This woman he thought was his mate almost took everythingfrom him. The side door opened again and this time, his fatherstepped in.

“I never did like that girl,” hemuttered.

Greyden shot him a surprised look “Youdidn’t?”

“Nope, but I tolerated her for you. I likeyour real mate a lot more.”

“Me too,” Greyden said. “Layton caused meand Zenia to lose our baby. Your grandson, who would’ve been thefuture heir to this pack.”

The alpha clicked his fingers and sentinelscame in, making a beeline for Layton, who backed up until she hitthe wall and couldn’t retreat anymore.

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