Page 9 of Forgotten Mate

She picked up her mug and drank her coffee,effectively ending the conversation. She didn’t want him to ask anymore questions. Her past was not up for discussion. If thisso-called mate of his did mess with his memories and take him fromher, then she would want her pound of flesh. She wouldn’t restuntil the bitch paid for what she’d done.

A cell phone rang, startling her, and by thelook on Greyden’s face, he knew who was on the other line.

“What?” he answered, his voice clipped. “Abad day? You could say that—”

Zenia made a quick motion with her hand,shaking her head. His gaze narrowed but he conceded to what sheasked.

“Nothing,” he said. “I’ll have to call youback.” He disconnected the call and set his phone on the table.“Why did you stop me from telling her?”

“We need to make sure this potion is goingto work, otherwise she’s going to restrengthen the spell onyou.”

“All right,” he said. “Good call.”

Payton came over and asked if they neededanything.

“No, thank you. Have you heardanything?”

Payton shook her head. “Not yet. Soon.Fingers crossed.” She held them up to show that they were indeedcrossed.

“I hope,” Zenia said, trying to smile. Shewas afraid it turned into more of a grimace.

Payton left them once more, going around tocheck on the patrons.

“I can’t believe the luna is working as aserver,” he mused.

“Is that a hint of derision I hear?”

“What? No, of course not. I’m justsurprised. My mother and ma—that is, thewoman pretending to be my mate, would never demean herself byworking in a diner.”

“Then what does she do all day?”

“You know, I’m not really sure. I have anoffice I go to and she does her own thing. We’ve been trying for achild but, well, now I know why we haven’t been able toconceive.”

Zenia jerked back. He’d been trying for achild. One with her, that woman who almost succeeded indestroying her. Hatred burned in her heart, and it scared her howmuch she wanted to hurt the unknown mate-stealer. Then she wonderedif Greyden realized how much it hurt, hearing about him having sexwith this woman that didn’t belong to him. It happened, of course.Adultery wasn’t exclusive to humans, but it was rare. When the HighLuna created mates, she made sure to include the spark ofattraction. She also made it extremely difficult for children to beconceived outside the bond.

“Oh,” he muttered, looking sick. “I justrealized that I’ve betrayed our bond. Fuck.”

“You didn’t know,” she whispered, wipingaway a stray tear.

“Don’t make it easy for me,” he said,shaking his head. “I can’t use the excuse I didn’t know, not whenyou’ve shown me your scar. You could’ve been taken from me withoutme even knowing about you. She’s robbed me of that.”

His words helped. A little. Where did theygo from there? She wanted to forgive him just like that, but shestruggled with imagining him wrapped around the body of somenameless, faceless woman. Payton returned, giving her a reprieve ofher thoughts.

“Savannah just called. She needs both ofyou.” Greyden pulled out his wallet and she waved him away. “Don’tworry about that. I just hope she has good news.”

“Me too,” he said.

He rose from the booth and held out his handto Zenia. “Please.”

Slowly, she eased her hand into his, lettinghim help her up. He didn’t let go. Staring at where they werejoined, she remembered the one night they had together. She wantedto let go of his hand, but she found she couldn’t. Perhaps it wasfoolish to hope she might have a happy-ever-after, but that didn’tstop her heart from yearning.

Chapter Six

Five Years Ago

Greyden wrapped his arms around her body,tucking her in close. She breathed in his scent, committing him tomemory. Zenia knew he did the same. For shifters, scent was one ofthe most important senses they had. Everything came down to scent.Love. Fear. Deception. Even how they found their mates. Everyemotion had a distinct smell.

They’d been dancing for hours, and her feethurt, but she didn’t want to leave the haven of his arms. Henuzzled the top of her head. A hardness pressed against her, andshe knew it had to be his cock. It made her ache inside, heartthumping in her chest.

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