Page 16 of Forever Mine

He seemed to consider that but didn't ask me to specify.

"Why are you CEO and not Kyle?"

He gave me a quizzical look, like, “How do you not know this already?” I could easily assume all wolf shifters were aware of the circumstances he was about to tell me. "Kyle was CEO until a little over a year ago. The Bulgarians started a war over his mate, Kelsey. Dad was seriously injured in the war and power transferred to Kyle before Kelsey saved him. He's fine now, but with the baby on the way then and taking over as Alpha years before planned, he had to step down as CEO, which forced me to step up. Like it or not."

It sounded a little resentful, but I didn't press. I knew it wasn't my turn. "Your turn," I said.

"You said Annie and Jacob took you in when you found out you were pregnant. Does that mean you were not pregnant when you left home?"

"No, I was not pregnant when I left home."

I could see my answer hit him hard as he tried to resolve what I wasn't telling him.

"I guess I thought from seeing Oscar that maybe that was why you left. You know, found out you were pregnant, got scared about how your dad would handle it and ran."

I shook my head no, sadly. "Um, has Lily found her mate yet?" I asked, trying to change the subject quickly.

"Nah. Kyle and Elise both have though, and looks like I'm up next." He grinned at me like he was happy about that, like truly happy, but he didn't know and I didn't know how to tell him.

"Look, Liam." I took a deep breath, trying to get my thoughts together. I had never said the words out loud and I guess a part of me hoped they weren't true. How did I tell my one true mate that my wolf spirit was dead? "I . . ."

I was cut off by a high-pitched squeal as a tall, sleek brunette threw herself into Liam's arms.

Liam

Chapter 7

One minute I felt like Maddie was about to finally open to me and the next I was being physically attacked.

"Lee-lee! Let me look at you." She pulled back and I couldn’t help but grin as the outrageous Steph examined me closely. "You're looking pretty hot. I could kick your ass for coming into my territory without so much as a heads-up. Damn good thing you're so nice to look at." She hugged me close again and kissed my cheek.

A loud, aggressive growl sounded next to me. Steph froze in my arms and slowly backed up, glancing over my shoulder. I turned to meet horrified, embarrassed eyes. I quickly moved to Maddie's side. "Hey, it's okay," I reassured her.

"Uh, what just happened?" Steph asked. With hands on her hips, she demanded to know who had just growled at her. "And just who do we have here?"

I wrapped an arm possessively around Maddie and pulled her close to my side, but she was still tense from Steph's taunting.

"I'm so sorry, I don't know where that came from," Maddie started apologizing.

"Hey, it's okay. Trust me, it wasn't that long ago that E went through it, and Kelsey was way worse even. She growled at everyone."

She looked really upset and shook her head, "No, you don't understand, I can't—"

"Seriously, Lee, who is this?"

I knew Steph well enough to know it was only sheer curiosity, but I could see that Maddie's wolf was highly agitated and was seeing Steph as nothing but a threat to her mate. I was struggling to keep the grin off my face as I tried to console her.

"Dammit, Steph, back off and give her a minute."

"What the hell is this? The prodigal son returns without so much as a text or warning?" came a male voice from behind me that I'd recognize anywhere.

Maddie seemed to be relaxing just a little, still looking mortified about having growled at Steph. I took a step forward, careful to keep her safely behind me. I was aware that my wolf's instinct to protect her had just skyrocketed. I had never had many Alpha signs, but loyal, hardworking, and trustworthy were among my highest qualities. Trying to get a grip on this new emotion and overwhelming need to protect my mate, I extended my hand and embraced Mark with my free one.

"You ugly mutt, what are you doing on my pier?" he asked affectionately.

"How the hell are you?"

"We're good. Man, it's good to see you. Never thought I'd miss that ugly face."

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