Page 96 of The Wolf King's Mate

Even though they didn’t seem to mean anything to him.

I tried to clear my mind, reminding myself that in two weeks, I was going to be free. I could be the one who left Enzo to sleep alone, or wake up alone.

That thought eased my messy emotions enough that I finally fell asleep.

As Fletcher predicted,Enzo wasn’t back the next morning. He didn’t reach out to me in the pack link either, though I knew after talking to Fletcher that he could’ve.

He’d spoken mentally to my brother, but not to me.

That pissed me off, even when I tried not to let it.

Since I had nothing else to do and needed to get it over with, I called my mom after breakfast. I apologized for blocking her number to protect her from the king. Then, I invited her and my dad to come visit the Lodge.

They agreed readily.

Our relationship had always been a little strained after everything that happened with my first heat. They didn’t blame us, but we blamed ourselves. That was difficult to get past.

They were there an hour and a half after my call, so Fletcher and I gave them a quick tour while we chatted. I answered all of their questions, though I left out the sketchy bits. Like stripping in Enzo’s shower while him and his brothers stared at me.

And others.

So many others.

Ahem. Anyway.

Neither of our parents looked comfortable, but they were determined to see everything and figure out if I was safe.

Iwassafe.

Safe from everyone except Enzo.

We had lunch together in the dining hall, where they were charmed by Fletcher’s friends.Ourfriends.

When Fletch and I eventually walked them out to their car, my mother hugged me tightly. She whispered, “It seems relatively safe here, but if you ever need to get away from the king, you know I’ll help you disappear.”

Someone cleared their throat, and I cursed silently when I recognized the sound. And the presence.

Enzo.

He hadgreattiming.

“Thank you,” I whispered back, squeezing her again before I released her and turned to face my Alpha.

Fletcher stood beside our father, with his arms folded. If it came down to a fight, I knew my brother and I would both give our lives for the human and wolf who had raised us.

Our parents looked like an odd couple from a human’s view, with our dad frozen in his mid-to-late twenties like all werewolves, and our mom around forty-five. But among shifters, that was normal. Hell, it made us proud to be what we were, because it was physical proof that mated wolves were loyal to the bitter end.

“I’m Enzo.” The king introduced himself, never one to shrink back from a confrontation. He offered my mother a hand.

She hesitated, looking at me.

The king was wet, wearing just a pair of low-slung jeans, with his soaked hair dripping down his neck and over his shoulders. He’d clearly scrubbed his hands, but there was still blood beneath his short fingernails.

I gave her a quick nod, and she accepted his hand, shaking it lightly. “I’m Christine,” she said. “Thank you for protecting my daughter, and giving my son a place to stay.”

She didn’t mean the words, and he would be able to smell that.

I fought a smile.

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