Page 23 of Fat Betrayed Mate
The rest of the walk passes in uncomfortable silence.
***
A moderate post-trial celebration is underway when we return—tables laden with food, other pairs sharing experiences with animated gestures. The atmosphere is festive, communal in a way that makes me feel like an outsider. Silvercreek is clearly trying to make me feel more welcome in my role than they did Luna. But still, I don’t want to be here.
I want to leave immediately, but social expectations anchor me in place.
Luna Morgan appears with a plate of food. "How did it go?"
"Fine. We completed the trial."
"I heard you worked beautifully together. Natural partnership, Victoria said."
I nearly choke. "Victoria said that?"
"Among other things. She seemed quite satisfied." Luna's smile is knowing. "Maisie's still at our house with Nic. She's been having the time of her life, asking all sorts of questions about pack life, shifter abilities."
My smile falters. "What kind of questions?"
"The usual. How old when kids first shift, what it feels like, whether shifted wolves dream in color." Luna laughs. "I spent more time answering questions than she did playing."
Unease prickles at my skull. "I should get her."
"Of course. She'll be disappointed, though—Nic was going to show her his maps."
I'm forming an excuse when a conversation at the next table catches my attention. Three pack members huddle together, voices low but not quite low enough. Luna turns her head, too, noticing my interest, and we both listen in.
"—getting worse every week. My cousin in Millbrook says protesters outside the community center last weekend."
"League for Humanity,”someone spits in response. “It’s a ridiculous name for a hate group."
The blood drains from my face.
The League for Humanity. My father's organization, the one he founded after I left Silvercreek, after I ran and never looked back from his controlling influence over my life and the wake of Thomas breaking my heart. The group that's been growing in influence and aggression over the past six years—partially, I know, because Edward Wright is enraged that he has never found me, has never had me under his thumb again.
"They're organized," the first speaker continues, a woman I don’t know but who appears worried. "Or as organized as a hate group gets anyway, I guess. People are saying they’ve been holding rallies not far from here."
"I heard they've been distributing flyers with our territory boundaries marked," the third adds. "Like we’re dangerous.”
Dark laughter scatters through the group. Shifters aren’t dangerous, we all know—not unless we have to be.
I force myself to keep eating, to appear disinterested, while every cell in my body screams with panic. The League for Humanity here, in territories neighboring Silvercreek. Rallies not far from the territory. My father's reach extending toward the place where I've brought my daughter for safety.
Does he know I’m here? Is that why? Or is it some awful coincidence?
"Fiona?" Luna's voice seems to come from very far away. "Are you alright? You look pale."
"Just tired," I manage. "The trial was more exhausting than I expected."
She frowns. "Why don't you collect Maisie? I can make your excuses."
I nod gratefully. As I turn to leave, I nearly collide with Thomas approaching with cider.
"Leaving already?"
"Maisie," I say simply.
His eyes search mine. "Are you—"
