Page 78 of Can't Be Love

Jessie was crying and hugging her sister again. “But it’s always been you and Thomas.”

Syd looked at the two of us sitting across the table and smiled. “He’s my best friend, Jess. That’s not going to change just because Lily’s in his life now.”

The door opened again, and their parents walked in. It was easy to see the resemblance without anyone having to tell me who they were.

Sydney squeezed my hand one last time. “It’s okay,” she mouthed.

“We should go,” Thomas said. “Give them some time to talk.” His arm was possessively around me when he spoke to Jessie. “We’ll be awaiting your final decision, kiddo.”

Once we were out of earshot, I spoke again. “Say a prayer she changes her mind, Thomas. I’m prepared to defend my place by your side no matter what, but I really have a hard time stomaching a fight with a child. Did you see her? She’s truly just a kid. I don’t want to kill a kid,” I confessed.

“Sydney will get through to her if we haven’t already,” he said, more confident than I felt.

We left the house and walked down the street to the Tavern. When we walked in, everyone got quiet and shot death glares my way. I was finally feeling at home in Collier, but the evil eyes staring at me reminded me I was little more than an outsider.

I would be their Pack Mother one day. That was my role, and as such I had to win these people over. I couldn’t cower or show weakness, so I held my head high, smiled politely, and grabbed hold of Thomas’s arm for dear life.

We took a seat at an empty table and Thomas called Milly over. “Hey Milly, two sodas and a couple menus. What’s the special today?”

I was amazed by the commanding presence he carried. It was strange. I had gotten to know the real Thomas Collier, my mate, but now I was seeing him in a new light as Thomas the future Alpha.

“Special’s meatloaf,” Milly told him, still not looking my way.

He nodded. “Babe, what are you having?”

“Cheeseburger please,” I said, smiling at Milly, who still wouldn’t look at me. Thomas ordered the special. As Milly went to leave, I reached out and touched her arm. Her eyes flew to mine. I smiled. “Thanks, Milly.”

She sighed, gave a hesitant smile, and nodded.

I felt like I was living in a fish bowl the entire time we were there. Thomas acted oblivious to it all, so I did too. I concentrated on my mate and tried to enjoy a normal meal together, even if everyone continued to glare at me.

Later that night, when we were back in the safety and quiet of our home, I felt like I could finally relax.

“You okay? You seemed a little tense at dinner,” Thomas acknowledged.

“Ya think?” I asked sarcastically, rolling my eyes at him. “I’m pretty sure I’m the most hated person in all of Collier.”

“Don’t be silly. No one hates you. They just don’t know you yet. Maybe some of them did once, or remember you as a child, but give them time to get to know you now. They’ll warm up. Just be patient.”

I sighed. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. The challenges were still in full swing and even if Jessie backed out, there was still a target on my back. It was clear to me that no one inside the pack was going to challenge Thomas, so unless it came from an outside wolf, he was safe. That actually gave me great relief. I was a Westin and as such, I always knew I’d mate well, and had been preparing for this literally my entire life. It didn’t matter what their opinions of me were at the moment. I was going to be their Pack Mother. No one could take that from me. I’d earn their trust the hard way and do whatever it took to prove to every wolf in Collier that I, Lily Westin, was fully capable and deserving of the title of Pack Mother, and that no one was better to stand by their Alpha’s side.

The following days were not easy. I continued to endure glares and rude remarks everywhere I went, but I didn’t back down. It was a humbling experience as I bit my tongue each time I would normally lash out in response.

I had quickly learned that the Tavern was the hub of Collier Pack. It was also the hardest to endure. The addition of alcohol made tongues even looser, but I forced myself to have at least one meal a day there with or without Thomas. When he called to apologize because a Pack Council meeting was running late, and they’d be working through dinner, I knew it was time to face the Pack.

I put on my big girl panties and headed into the wolf’s den. I took a table in the center of the room and called Milly over to order, just as Thomas would have if he were there. She looked a little put off, but I was friendly and cordial to her and I always left her a bigger tip than was necessary, so she was slowly warming up to me.

“Can’t believe she’d have the guts to show her face around here without Thomas to protect her,” someone said from the table next to me.

I snorted and tried to bite my tongue. I told myself not to engage, but it wasn’t in me to back down from a challenge. “I don’t need Thomas to fight my battles for me.”

“Ohhh,” came from a few instigators, as if a challenge had just been issued.

“Ignore them, Lily,” Milly warned me. “Been in here all day and already two sheets to the wind and looking for a fight.”

“I’m not looking to fight anyone,” I assured her.

“Well ya better be,” the same guy said. “’Cause you don’t belong here, and every she-wolf in Collier is going to stand up to challenge you until you realize that or are good and dead.”

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