Page 45 of Betrayed Alpha Bride

“Okay, then,” Galen says with a smile. “I’m fine with that.”

I let the silence deepen for a second before I let out my other pressing thought. “I’m not crazy about seeing Kit,” I admit.

“Why?” Galen asks.

“I never trusted him. He always seemed a bit shifty to me.”

“Is that a joke?” Galen asks, grinning. “Because if it is, it’s a good one.”

I can’t help but chuckle as I realize what I just said. “Unintended, but definitely funny. Anyway, you know what I mean.”

“I do, and the Cyan pack has been allies with us for some time now. I trust Kit, and I know he’ll keep watch over the town while I’m away.”

Kit meets us outside of Cyan Lock, on the far side of Cerulean Lake, where the family has a private estate. He is polite to me, but not overly friendly, either, which doesn’t surprise me.

The two men talk briefly, and I can see that Galen is very comfortable with him, which puts my mind at ease. When Galen tells Kit how far we’re traveling, I’m very surprised when he offers us an RV.

“That’s extremely generous of you,” Galen says. “Honestly, I won’t say no. We’ll be between towns by the time we have to stop, and I wasn’t crazy about sleeping in the car.”

“Think nothing of it,” Kit says, smiling. “This estate is well-equipped, thanks to my grandfather, and I’m more than happy to lend it to you.”

“You’re already doing so much for me,” Galen says, shaking his hand. “By keeping an eye on the key for me while I’m gone.”

“My patrols will be extended into your territory, old friend,” Kit says. “I’ll check in with the council members and your family, and if anything arises, I will protect your pack as if it were my own.”

“Much appreciated,” Galen says. “I’ll return the favor anytime you need.”

“Safe travels,” Kit says, waving us off. He narrows his eyes slightly as he watches me get into the RV, but when I smile and wave, he waves back.

Maybe it’s just my imagination, but he doesn’t seem sincere.

“Everything okay?” Galen asks as we turn away from the lake and go toward Lycan Pass.

“Sure,” I mutter. “I’ve left my son alone, in a vulnerable state, and I’m going to chase down my long-lost mother to see if she knows why my child can explode like a space rocket. Everything’s just fine.”

“Clara, I already explained—”

“I know. But I still think we’re chasing a dead end.”

Galen sighs, gripping the steering wheel in frustration. “Your father was a shifter, we know that. His family line is well known to the pack. It’s a pure bloodline. So, if there is magic in Nico, it had to come from your mother.”

“And like I said,” I retort, knowing that I’m snapping but not able to stop myself. “Surely if my mother had magic, it would be in me, too?”

“I’m not an expert,” Galen acknowledges. “But so far, this is the only lead.”

I sit back in the big, comfy seat, my arms folded across my chest. I know that Galen is right, and I have no choice in this.

“Clara, are you alright?” he asks.

“No,” I admit.

“I understand,” Galen says.

“No, I don’t think you do,” I shoot back. “I never met my mother, ever. I didn’t go looking for her. She knew where I was my whole life, and she didn’t bother to come looking for me, even when my father died! Do you think I want to see this woman?”

My voice has risen to a shrill pitch, and my hands are clasped together so hard that they hurt. I make a conscious effort to calm down, focusing on my breathing and staring into my lap.

“I’m so sorry, Clara,” Galen says softly. “I really didn’t understand.”

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