Page 18 of A Mate Betrayed

“Where can I put the pastries?”she asked, holding up the box.

“Oh, over here,” Anais replied.

With a wave, she escorted Kinleigh to a table off to the side were Payton stood with a few other women.

“Hello, cousin,” Payton greeted, a sly grin hovering on her lips.“Haven’t seen you much lately.Wherever have you been spending your nights?”

“Running through the forest a lot.Very.Very.A lot.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, clearly not buying it.“At least tell me you’re having fun.”

“I am,” Kinleigh said.Her mind flashed to Vaughn, and heartbreak once more tried to suck her under.It took force to push everything aside and just exist in the moment.Her glance strayed over to Daire, who was talking with Ledger and Jericho.“He has distracted me enough so I can get some rest and not think about my asshole ex-mate every minute of the day.”

Payton took hold of her hand.“Then I’m grateful you connected with him.Come on.I’d like to introduce you to everyone.”

Payton led her around talking with various pack members.Kinleigh waved at Keegan and Mairi.Esmeralda.A few other people she knew.She sat with Daire as they ate, laughing at jokes being tossed around.

This was what she craved.Having friends and family to laugh with, share stories, plan for future events.Hopefully, she’d be able to find the place where she could have a life helping others and enjoying herself.

“Hey, I’m heading to the Digamma Center tomorrow,” Payton told her.“I usually teach movement courses for the elders.Easy stuff that won’t hurt joints.Would you like to come with me?”

“Yeah,” she replied.“That’d be great.”

“Cool.”A sly look crossed over her face.“Should I pick you up from Daire’s?”

“You’re like a five-year-old,” Kinleigh said.

Payton stuck out her tongue, and Kinleigh shook her head and laughed.

Chapter Eight

Early the next morning, Payton pulled into Daire’s driveway and honked her horn.Kinleigh stood on tiptoe to kiss him goodbye.

“What would you like to do tonight?”he asked.

“I’m down for anything.Did you have something in mind?”

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