Page 44 of Forever Mine

“Yeah, isn’t it cool? Liam says someday I might be able to turn into a wolf, too.”

I glared at Liam. Furious. He was grinning proudly until the moment he felt my anger. How dare he tell him about that. He had overstepped a line and it needed to be sorted quickly.

“Oscar, hon, can you step out of the car and give me and Liam a few minutes to talk?

“What did I do?” Liam asked the second the door shut.

“You told him? You just told him all about shifters and the wolves? Just like that?”

“I’m sorry, I thought he should know. He’s in pack territory, I didn’t want him to freak out or anything. He’s a smart kid, he accepted it and was pretty excited about it all.”

“That wasn’t your place, Liam. I’m his mother. If I wanted him to know about shifters, don’t you think I should be the one to tell him?” I was still furious. He hadn’t done it to undermine me. I knew he was just trying to help, but it should have been me to explain things to him. “I should have been the one to tell him. He’s going to be confused and have lots of questions that need answering.”

“Oh, trust me, we’ve exhausted nearly all of them while you slept. Four hours he’s been asking questions and demanding answers. I even had to let my hand shift just enough to convince him I wasn’t bullshitting him.”

I knew how Oscar could be and I tried not to laugh at the picture Liam portrayed, but I couldn’t keep the smile entirely off my face.

“This is a big deal, Liam.”

“I do hear you. I understand. I didn’t mean to step on the mommy toes or anything. I’m sorry. I really was just trying to help.”

“I know you were.” I sighed, letting go of the anger. “It’s just, he’s my son, Liam. Mine. And I have to do what’s best for him, including making life-changing decisions like explaining things about shifters and other stuff. You need to talk to me before talking to him about stuff like that.”

“Okay,” he said, resolutely. “I’m still new to all this. I’m going to make mistakes along the way, but I only want what’s best for you and the kid.” He grinned at me sheepishly and I knew he was up to no good. “And in another five or so years when he starts hitting puberty. I’m going to remind you of this conversation and let you explain ‘that!’”

I punched him, laughing. “Not funny, I’m serious.” Though even I knew I didn’t sound convincing of that anymore.

“I know. I’m listening and I’ll try to remember in the future.”

I leaned over and gave him a quick kiss. It was the first time I’d initiated anything like that, but it just felt so right. Natural. My heart was soaring. He was talking of five years down the road. I hadn’t even begun to consider the reality of an actual life with him.

We got out of the car and found Oscar kicking a rock as he tried to patiently wait for us. I could feel the excitement ready to burst from him.

“You have any questions?” I asked him, still unsure what Liam had actually told him.

“Nah, well, okay, just one. How come I’ve never seen you turn into a wolf?”

My heart sank. I could never tell him that the night he was conceived they had hurt me and killed my wolf spirit. I would not put that on him. Whoever had fathered him was a bad man, but I had come to terms long ago with that fact that that was not a genetic trait that he would inherit. Oscar was a great kid and I couldn’t believe him capable of what his sperm donor had done to me.

“My wolf never emerged, bud. It happens sometimes. I can’t shift. Never have.”

“Liam says sometimes wolves show early, like Kelsey was only ten when hers came out!” I looked at Liam quizzically. That sounded like more than a slight exaggeration.

“I swear, it’s true!” Liam said.

“Maybe yours is just late, Mommy. Maybe she was scared to come out with all the humans around. Maybe she will now.” He looked at me with such hope in his eyes I had to let my fingernails dig into the palm of my fisted hand to keep from crying.

“Maybe,” I said sadly.

“Hey, you ready to go meet my family? Lily will be there,” Liam said, changing the subject quickly for me as he turned apologetic eyes my way. I didn’t want his pity. I didn’t need him to feel sorry for me.

He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and took Oscar by the hand, leading us both into the house. I had been to visit Lily in San Marco on numerous occasions. I knew the Alpha’s house well. I knew the Westin family well, or I had. But I was a nervous wreck walking through that door. Had he called ahead and warned them? Had Lily broken her promise and told them? I didn’t know what to expect and it made me very nervous.

“Mom!” Liam yelled as soon as we walked in.

“Kitchen,” she yelled back.

“Come on. She’s in for quite a shock,” he laughed, and I knew he hadn’t warned them about me.

---