Page 43 of Broken Trust

“You’re doing it again.” Atlas threw his napkin on the table as he stood. “I knew I shouldn’t have come over for dinner. Any guy I bring here, you make uncomfortable. Kellen has been nothing but polite, even though you’ve been giving him hateful, frosty looks since we sat down.”

“Atlas.” Kellen rested his hand on his mate’s arm.

“No, Kellen.” A brewing storm shot across Atlas’s gray eyes. “I’m sick and tired of my mom pretending that her son isn’t gay and treating my boyfriends like they’re the enemy of the state.”

“So he isn’t just a friend,” Monica said.

“What does it matter?” Jennifer argued. “Why can’t you accept that Atlas is gay?”

“Enough!” Monica stood, pressing her fingers into the table.

“Sit down!” Jacob roared at his wife as he shot from his seat.

Even if Monica was being a tyrant, Kellen didn’t like any woman being talked to that way. But Atlas’s dropped jaw and Jennifer’s bulging eyes told Kellen that Jacob had never spoken harshly to his wife before.

Even Monica stood there with a stunned expression.

“I’ve had it with your attitude toward our son’s dating life.” Jacob slapped his hand on the table. “I never said anything when it came to Glen because he was a pretentious prick that I couldn’t stand.”

Atlas slowly sat. Jennifer laughed then covered her mouth, her brows still raised. Colt kept right on eating as if the drama wasn’t going to stop him from enjoying his meal.

“But it’s obvious from the way Atlas looks at Kellen that this is different,” Jacob continued, his voice still rising. “Our boy is in love, Monica. You are my heart, my everything, but I won’t allow you to scare Kellen away and drive a deeper wedge between you and Atlas. You’re acting just like your mother did when you and I first started dating!”

Monica slowly sank into her chair, unshed tears in her eyes.

“You’re so worried about what the ladies in your knitting circle will say, but their opinion isn’t more important than our son’s happiness.” Jacob’s tone had finally returned to normal. “I apologize for the outburst, but you needed to hear that.”

Out of everything Jacob had just said, Kellen was focused on the part where Atlas was in love with him. Was it true? If so, why hadn’t Kellen realized it?

Monica rose again, but this time, she left the room.

“I’ll talk to her.” Jennifer got up and went after her mother.

“I’m sorry you two had to witness that,” Jacob said to Kellen and Colt. “My wife really is a great woman, but she worries too much about other’s opinions. Please, enjoy your meal before it gets cold.”

“I’ve never seen you like that,” Atlas said. “It was kind of scary.”

“It was a long time coming.” Jacob sighed. “I just wish it hadn’t exploded out of me.” He looked at Kellen. “I’ve never spoken to my wife that way, and I feel terrible for doing so, but she really is acting like her mother.” He shivered. “Mildred was the worst.”

Jacob had no idea how worse a woman could be since he’d never met Kellen’s mom. “Your apology is unnecessary when you were sticking up for my mate.”

Too late he realized what he’d let slip.

The guy sat back, studying Kellen. “I’ve lived in Midnight Falls for a very long time, Kellen. I’m deeply rooted in this community and very little gets past me.”

That uneasy feeling from earlier resurfaced.

“What are you driving at?” Atlas ate a forkful of carrots, as if Jacob’s suspicious gaze wasn’t anything to worry about. Either Atlas was clueless as to what his father was implying or he was a damn good actor.

Sitting forward, Jacob rested his arms on the table. “I’m friends with certain people in this town. I’m privy to things that are highly guarded secrets. Tell me, Kellen. Are you one of those who guards those secrets, too?”

Atlas glanced toward the kitchen before looking at his dad. “Are you asking if Kellen is a shifter?” he whispered.

Jacob’s and Kellen’s gazes met. “That’s exactly what I’m asking,” Atlas’s dad replied.

Colt chuckled. “Didn’t see that one coming.” He set aside his fork, his plate empty, not even a crumb surviving. “We’re wolves, Jacob.”

“Does Mom know those secrets?” Atlas whispered.

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