Page 6 of Mate Forsaken

“She’s here, in my pack. I’ve debated if I should call but I need the money. I can tell you where after you send the reward.”

His heart took off racing like a fucking Thoroughbred. “I need proof.”

“Of course. I can send you the picture I took today.”

Miles rattled off his cell phone number and then waited. Moments later, he received a text and when he opened it, his knees almost gave out. Circe. After fifteen years, he finally laid eyes on her again. She was still beautiful with her brown hair cut shoulder-length and her dimples flashing in her cheeks. She walked with two men. Jealousy filled him and he wanted to rip the mens’ heads off. She belonged tohim, not to them.

“Hello?”

He’d forgotten the unknown caller and picked the receiver back up. “Where is she?”

“What about my money?”

“Text me where to send it.” A moment later, his phone buzzed again. He opened the message and quickly transferred the funds. “Now, where is she?”

****

“Good evening, Circe!” Esmeralda called out.

“Hello,” she called back.

People greeted her and she waved back. Although it was Friday night, only a handful of tables were filled. Almost immediately she’d been accepted in the Sheridan Pack. School had started and she loved teaching the shifter children. It was completely different from the human world. There she had to hide and be very careful about what she said, but in Sheridan she didn’t have those restrictions. For the first time in years, she could relax about her nature.

Esmeralda walked over with iced tea and placed it on the table. “Here’s you go, sweetie. Want the special tonight? My world-famous meatloaf.”

“World famous?” she asked.

The older woman kissed her fingertips and held them up. “I swear by the grace of the High Luna.”

Circe snorted. “Okay. Yeah, sure. I’d love the meatloaf dinner.”

“Coming right up.”

She quickly walked back toward the kitchen. Circe unlocked her phone and brought up a game to play. It was mindless entertainment but sometimes it was just what she needed. A different way to relax. The diner door opened and a family walked in, and as soon as the little girl saw her, she squealed and broke free of her mom to rush over to Circe.

“Miss Tolliver!”

Circe turned off her phone and smiled at the little girl. “Hello, Jayme.”

Jayme thrust out her doll. “I got a new dolly.”

“Very nice.” Circe smiled as the little girl’s family came over to collect her. “Hello.”

“Good evening,” the mom said. “Sorry she barged over.”

“No problem at all. I always like meeting new dollies.”

Jayme hugged her toy tightly.

“I hope you have a wonderful evening, Miss Tolliver,” the mom said. She grabbed her daughter’s shoulder and steered her back to their table.

“You too, thank you.”

“Bye, Miss Tolliver!” Jayme called back.

“See you Monday, Jayme.”

A moment later, Esmeralda placed her plate in front of her. “You certainly are good with children. But I guess you’d have to be in your profession.”

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