Page 22 of A Mate Betrayed

“Oh, that clears it all up,” she snarked, rolling her eyes.“Call it what you want, sweet cheeks, but those were dates.”

“Tomato, to-mah-to.In any case, he wants to stay in touch.”

“Why don’t you just move here?I mean, there’s really nothing for you back in Lightfang and I’d love to have my favorite cousin here.”

“I’m your only cousin.”

“All the more reason to move here.I’m gonna need help with the baby anyway.”

It took Kinleigh about three seconds to digest those words, and when she finally did, shock rendered her mute for a moment.She looked from Payton’s still flat stomach to her face, back to her stomach and then back to her face.

“Are you knocked up?”

Payton nodded, laughing as Kinleigh rushed forward and hugged her.

“Does Jericho know?”

“Of course,” Payton said dryly.“He helped make the baby, after all.”

They were so engrossed with each other, they didn’t hear the door open.Unaware they were no longer alone until the muzzle of a gun pressed against Payton’s temple.In shock, Kinleigh’s heart stuttered in dread as she met the deranged stare in Vaughn’s eyes.

“Took me a while to figure out where you went,” he snarled at her.“Then some of my buddies still in Lightfang told me you came here.”

“Why are you here?”Kinleigh demanded.

“I’m taking you back, so you can tell your father to make me alpha heir.Then we’re having our mating ceremony so I can give you the mate bite, and thenno onecan take away my right to be alpha!”

“You’re delusional,” Payton said.

“Shut up, bitch!This doesn’t concern you.”

“You’re absolutely right.”Kinleigh held up her hands, trying to placate him.“This doesn’t concern her at all.Please put the gun down.And I’ll come with you peacefully.”

He studied her with narrowed eyes.“Fine.”

“No,” Payton whispered.

“Don’t worry,” Kinleigh told her.“He’s not going to hurt me because he needs me.”

Her cousin still mouthed “no,” but she’d already made up her mind because if anything were to happen, she’d never forgive herself.

“Come here,” he ordered.

Slowly, she moved closer.“I did what you said, now let her go, Vaughn.”

“Don’t use that fucking tone with me, Kinleigh!”Spittal from his temper tantrum flicked onto her cheek and she immediately wiped it off.The thought of mating with Vaughn sickened her, but she’d do anything for the people she loved.“We wouldn’t be in this predicament if you hadn’t fucked me over.”

“I’m sorry,” Kinleigh apologized.“What happens now?”

“We’re going.”

“Where?”

“Someplace special.”

“Fine, but you have to let her go unhurt.”

He stared at her a moment, before spinning Payton around and backhanding her.She fell and hit her head, laying still.Kinleigh gasped and knelt, making sure Payton wasn’t dead.Her steady heartbeat reassured her.

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