Page 70 of The Alpha's Forced Rejected Mate

“Like right here where she says,Nobody else wanted to hear what I had to say, but Robby stuck around until I stopped talking.”

She studied my hand that held the journal. “Oh yeah—there was this long meeting Sonya held in the community center. Everyone got a turn sharing in the circle. Jillian was last, andeveryone wanted to leave early to head to dinner together. I stuck behind with Sonya to listen to what Jillian had to share.”

“What did she share?”

“One of the most typical stories for women—she was walking back to her car when she got cornered by two men.”

I reached for her hand. “Did she get hurt?”

“No, I mean, she was possessed back then, right? So, she fought them off. But the emotions she shared…” Robyn faded into a shrug. “I guess emotions like that aren’t things a demon would discuss.”

“That’s why I think Jillian tried to reach out to you.”

She sniffled, rubbed her palms together, and then dropped her hands into her lap. “I don’t think there’s any name in there.”

“No, but it’s worth keeping for our records.”

“You’re not keeping my best friend’s journal.”

I caught her wrist before she could grab the book. “Princess, I have a rotten feeling about this demon. We just dealt with demons back in West Virginia. I find it odd that I’m running into demons again. That’s sus.”

She raised her brows. “Demons in the south? You don’t say.”

“They attacked my sister. They wanted to use her.”

“I don’t like the sound of that, Cliff. We should get back to Bill’s.”

I hopped to my feet and held out my hand to her. “Agreed, Princess.”

She hoisted herself up with my hand. “I’m sorry about the way I snapped at you about her journal.”

“Hey, don’t sweat it. You’re protecting your best friend. That’s admirable, Princess. I love that about you.”

She timidly grinned. “I just feel like this might be my fault. I heard what that thing said about getting a hold of my inheritance. They’re up to something.”

“That’s what it sounds like.”

She clenched my hand hard. “I’m scared, Cliff.”

“Hang onto me, and everything will be alright.” I brushed her knuckles against my lips, planting liberal kisses. “I’ve got you.”

Without another word, we left Jillian’s home, locking the place up before crossing the street, passing the gazebo, and walking diagonally through Sonya’s yard to get to Robyn’s house. I spotted the street off to the left of the house, where I challenged Bill to a fight to the death. I noticed the sun bouncing off the windows.

On the porch were two giggling children playing with bouncy balls while my sister fretfully bit into her middle nail. I didn’t like the sight of that.

I leaned against the banister of the porch. “You alright, Faye?”

She perched her chin on her hand. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

“Yeah, do you want Robyn to watch the kids?”

“No.” Faye glanced worriedly between us both. “I have to talk to you both.”

More stress. That was just what we needed. I nodded patiently and knelt next to the girls while Robyn fetched Sonya. As soon as the kids were set, I wandered inside with my mate and my sister, feeling a void crater growing in my chest. This house wasn’t bad, but it wasn’tmyhouse, and it certainly didn’t belong to Robyn either. Bill had been a business acquaintance and nothing more, yet I felt guilty about using his space.

We hadn’t moved houses. Our unpredictable situation made it hard to guess where it would be safest for us. “What’s going on?”

My sister drifted toward the wall of pictures and leaned her shoulder against the nearest one of a lake. “I had a dream.”

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