Page 41 of True Wolf

“Wait, Sweet Auburn… That’s owned by the Wolf Warriors.” My eyes went wide. “You work at a strip club.”

Neyla rolled her eyes. “Yes, but in the childcare room they keep for the dancers. I’ve never been on stage, Ness.”

Zion found that amusing and chucked. “Lock the door. I’ll be back. You eating?” He lowered his eyes to Neyla.

“No, I’m fine, thank you.”

“You sure.”

“Yeah, I’m sure.” He nodded and left. After he was gone, Neyla and I settled on the small sofa.

“What happened? How did Rolf end up marrying someone else and how did Mom and Dad end up at the Alcoves?”

She frowned deeply. “After they forced you to leave, I refused to talk to them. I tried to find you that night as I was going to go with you but Mom locked me in the storage room at Dad’s building. They were so pissed with you, then with me because I told them I’d die before I married that asshole after what he did to you. I stayed in that storage room for two days before I was able to escape. They were going to make me stay there until the wedding.”

“Wait, they really locked you in the storage room?”

She nodded.

“How did you escape?”

“Karr…” There was something about the way she said his name too.

“You’re together,” I rushed out and she quickly shook her head.

“No, we’re just…”

“Friends, right? You’re not just friends, Neyla and if you are, you want to be more than that.”

“We’re not. We can’t be. He has someone.”

“Oh..” I frowned, understanding now. I decided to let that go.

“And what about Mom and Dad?”

Her demeanor turned cold. “I refused to marry Rolf so his father stripped them of their status. They lost everything. That’s why they’re in the Alcoves. They deserve worse. I hate them for what they did to you.”

“And you.”

She nodded. “But yours was worse, Ness. Our parents turned their back on their own child. They forced you to leave our home. I was defeated, but you were alone.” She had tears in her eyes.

“I wasn’t alone for long. I found Mina. I’ve been with their pack for a few months. I’ve been okay, Ney. I’m sorry I blocked you. I just…”

“Thought I sided with them. That I betrayed you too. It’s okay. You had every right.”

“No, I didn’t.”

“You did, and it’s okay. I’m not angry with you.” She grabbed my hand and I yanked it away and threw my arms around her.

“I’m glad you’re here. You have to come with us.”

“Us…” She grinned, pulling back, and I couldn’t contain my smile.

“Zion is a Bennett.”

“No shit. That’s Zion, Lazar Bennett’s brother.” Her eyes went wide.

“You know who he is?”

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