Page 46 of Forever Mine

“Kitchen,” Mary responded back. I smiled, remembering the Westin house had never been quiet. With three rowdy boys and two girls, one of whom was Lily, need I say more? There was always something exciting going on in this home.

Mary rose and went to meet her guest. Kelsey. That was Kyle’s mate, if I was remembering correctly. Liam came over and took my hand, squeezing it reassuringly.

“Oscar, come here and meet Zander and Kelsey,” Mary yelled from the next room. He hesitantly went, checking back over his shoulder to make sure it was okay. I nodded encouragement, but in the end Liam went with him and I slowly followed behind.

“Hey, Kels,” he said, hugging the pretty blonde.

A loud growl bubbled up and out of me. I quickly covered my mouth and blushed in embarrassment. I didn’t understand why that happened, but whenever he was intimately close to another female, I felt territorial. Oscar had the audacity to laugh at me.

Kelsey smiled, and elbowed Liam in the ribcage, putting some distance between them. It calmed my nerves some. “Looks like you brought back more than souvenirs,” she teased him before turning her attention fully to me. She extended her hand and closed the gap between us. “Hi, I’m Kelsey.”

“Ja . . . Maddie,” I said aloud. It felt strange yet familiar rolling off my tongue.I am Madelyn Collier. Maddie, I reminded myself. After so many years of being Jane, it was going to take a little getting used to. “I’m sorry I growled at you.”

Kelsey laughed. “It’s still early, girl. You have a lot more growling to do before it’s over.”

She was talking about us mating. I hadn’t let myself seriously consider all that. Could we even mate? To seal the bond, I’d have to bite him, and how could I without a wolf? I still didn’t understand fully what was happening to me.

“I’ve not seen you around here,” Kelsey added. “Where are you from? How did you guys meet?”

I didn’t want to answer all those questions, but I knew I’d have to . . . again and again. Too many in Westin Pack did know me and when word got around, everyone would know. Word would soon get to my father, my family. There was no way to avoid it now.

“Um, Liam and I have known each other since childhood. We ran into each other again in San Francisco.”

“Are there packs in the city? I thought they tended to stay more remote.”

“No, we were there for vacation.” I said, keeping it simple. I was interrupted by a loud squeal and before I knew what was happening I was being tackled into a bear hug.

“You’re here! You changed your mind!” Lily yelled so loudly it left my ears ringing.

“Hi, Lily,” Oscar said, taking a second away from the little boy he was playing with to run over and quickly side hug her while she was still squeezing the life out of me, before running back to his spot.

“Hey, O-Man. I’m so happy you and your mom are here.”

He just smiled and nodded before turning his attention back to his new small friend.

I stepped back to take in my dear friend. Her pink striped hair was fluffy, rocking the bedhead look, and she was still in her pajamas. It had to be pushing noon already and she was just rolling out of bed.

“Kels, this is my best friend in the entire world!” Lily started, quickly filling in gaps I wasn’t ready to talk about.

Mary took the distraction as time to get away. Prying me away from Lily, she explained we’d be in Kyle’s office talking for a bit. Then she escorted me down the hall. Liam followed behind. He was grinning, relaxed, and clearly happy.

As soon as the door was closed, she motioned for us both to sit. I knew a full-on interrogation was coming.

“Maddie, do your parents know you’re here?”

This woman was ready to cut to the chase. No pleasantries or small talk was going to happen in here. I shook my head. “No, ma’am. I haven’t talked to my family in eight years.”

She nodded. “Is it because of Oscar?”

“Mom, it’s not what you think, and she doesn’t have to explain herself to anyone. It’s really none of your business.”

I loved that he so quickly came to my defense, but if we were truly even considering a life together, this conversation was going to happen many times over. I knew there was no getting away from it.

“Liam,” Mary laughed. “When are you foolish, misguided kids going to learn? Everything is my business.” I wanted to laugh at her audacity, but Liam tensed and I could feel his rare aggressive side spike.

“It’s okay,” I told him, placing my hand on his thigh and reveling in the fact that it visibly calmed him.

“Yes, it does have to do with Oscar, but not in the way you think,” I said honestly, answering her previously asked question

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