Page 20 of Fat Betrayed Mate
Fiona moves to Maisie, gently waking her, gathering her drawings with careful hands. The little girl blinks sleepily, rubbing her eyes with small fists.
"Is the big storm gone?" she asks.
"Almost," I tell her. "Just rain now."
She slides from her chair, coming to stand beside me with surprising boldness. "Thank you for the sandwich. It was yummy."
"You're welcome, Maisie."
She tilts her head, studying me with an intensity that seems beyond her years. "You're not as scary as the other kids said."
"Maisie," Fiona interjects, alarmed. "That's enough. We need to go."
But the child isn't finished. "They said you're the strongest wolf, and you catch bad people. Do you?"
Something in my chest tightens painfully.
"Sometimes," I admit. "When I have to."
She nods, satisfied with this answer. "Good. Mama says there are bad people who don't like wolves."
Fiona moves swiftly to her daughter's side, gathering her close. "Time to go, Sweet Pea. Say goodbye to Mr. Ennes."
"Bye, Mr. Ennes," Maisie chirps obediently.
"I'll walk you out," I offer, rising from my chair.
"That's not necessary," Fiona says quickly, her tone hardening again. "We're perfectly capable of finding our way."
"The storm's still not completely passed. At least let me see you to the path—”
"I said no," she replies, the brief connection we'd shared completely erased. "We're fine on our own. We have been for years."
The pointed reminder of her independence stings, but I step back, hands raised in surrender. "The first trial, then. Monday. Northern trailhead at dawn."
"We'll be there," she says coolly, taking Maisie's hand. "Not like we have a choice."
They leave without a backward glance, the door closing firmly behind them. I stand motionless in the suddenly empty room, the ghost of lavender and rain lingering in the air.
With mechanical movements, I gather the scattered papers and abandoned folders. One of Maisie's drawings catches my eye—a colorful rendition of what appears to be Silvercreek, with trees and buildings and small stick figures. A child's view of her new home.
I set it aside, intending to return it if I see them again before the trial. Then I sink back into my chair, exhaustion washing over me in the storm's aftermath.
Six years, and Fiona's anger is still as raw as the day I broke her heart. Six years, and the threats that forced me to leave her still haunt me. And now we're bound together by the very pack laws I once hoped would protect us.
Outside, the clouds begin to break, shafts of sunlight piercing the gray. But the storm in my mind shows no signs of passing, and the fear that Edward Wright might somehow learn of our forced reunion grows with every passing hour.
Three days until the first trial. Three days to figure out how to work with a woman who hates me, while keeping the truth buried so deeply it can never hurt her again.
The odds in that betting pool are looking worse by the minute.
Chapter 5 - Fiona
Dawn breaks gray and cold over the northern trailhead, mist clinging to the pine branches like ghosts. I arrive at the trial ten minutes early, adjusting my pack straps with nervous energy. The forest stretches before us, dense and unwelcoming.
I have barely a moment of peace in the silence before Thomas appears through the trees like he belongs here, moving with that easy confidence that always made my chest tight. We exchange professional nods—two people here to complete a task. I can almost convince myself it’s nothing more. We say nothing to one another.
Elder Victoria soon emerges with the other officials, James Morgan stretching behind her against a massive oak, looking far too cheerful for this hour.
