Page 25 of Mating Mia
I shake my head, memories of my childhood rising. My adoptive father's face contorted with rage as he unbuckled his belt, the sharp crack of leather against skin, my adoptive mother’s constant screams for me and my siblings to wake early and take care of the farm.
"They raised me, but they never loved me," I say quietly. "Not really. I was a project to them, a charity case they could show off to their friends—look at the poor orphan they rescued. But behind closed doors, they just wanted a servant.”
Finn’s arms tighten around me, a low growl rumbling in his chest. The sound is comforting—my alpha's protective instinct roused by the thought of anyone hurting me, even in the past.
“We should kill them,” he says matter-of-factly, as if discussing the weather rather than murder.
“That’s your solution to everything, isn’t it?” I ask, giggling. But then I remember how he killed my ex-boyfriend, and I bite my lip. Finn probably isn’t joking.
A rare smile tugs at the corner of his mouth. “But it’s effective.”
Then, like a bolt of lightning, an idea strikes me.
"The adoption papers," I blurt out, my mind racing. "If Liam thinks my mother is alive, if she fled with me to protect me from Orion’s pack, then she must have arranged my adoption. The papers might have clues, where she was when she gave me up, maybe even where she planned to go next."
Finn’s eyebrows rise slightly, the only indication of his surprise. "You want to see your adoption papers?"
“Yes!” I say, excitement building as the plan takes shape in my mind. “My adoptive parents always kept them locked away. They never let me see the papers and said they weren’t important. But what if there’s something there? Something that could help my father find my mother?”
"And how do you propose we get these papers?" Finn asks, though I can tell from his expression that he’s already considering the logistics.
"We’d have to go to their house," I say, the words tumbling out in a rush. "In Kentucky. They’re probably still there—they never liked change."
"What’s in Kentucky?" Kane’s deep voice interrupts from the doorway. He stands there shirtless, sleep-rumpled but alert, his dark eyes taking in the scene before him—me in Finn’s arms, tear tracks still drying on my cheeks.
"My adoptive parents," I explain quickly. "I think their adoption papers might have information about my mother, information that could help my father find her."
Kane frowns, crossing the kitchen to join us. His hand automatically goes to my belly, protective and possessive. “Would seeing these people cause you distress? Stress isn’t good for the pup.”
I bite my lip, unable to lie. "Probably, yes. They weren’t… kind. But this is the one thing I can do to help my father. He’s out there somewhere, injured and alone, looking for my mother. If there’s even a chance the papers could help him..."
Kane and Finn exchange a look over my head, one of those silent communications that pass between packmates who know each other well.
“I’m down for whatever Mia wants to do," Jace announces, appearing in the doorway with a yawn. His hair is wild, his eyes still heavy with sleep. "What are we talking about?"
"A trip to Kentucky," Finn says dryly.
"Cool," Jace says with his trademark easy grin. "I've never been to Kentucky. They have good chicken, right?"
Despite everything, I find myself smiling at his irreverence. But as quickly as it came, the smile fades as doubt creeps in.Am I making a mistake?My adoptive parents will be furious at the intrusion, especially if they realize what I’m looking for.
"Maybe this is a bad idea," I murmur, suddenly uncertain. "Maybe we should just?—"
"No," Kane says firmly, tilting my chin up to meet his gaze. "If you think there’s a chance these papers could help your father, then we’re going to get them. Your family is our family, little omega. Your father, your mother—they’re pack now. We watch out for each other.”
The simple declaration brings fresh tears to my eyes, but these are tears of gratitude, of love for this alpha who can be so fierce and so tender in the same breath.
"Thank you," I whisper, rising on tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips.
Two weeks later, the van’s air conditioner is blasting cold air against my flushed skin, but it does little to alleviate my discomfort.
I shift restlessly in the back seat, my growing belly making it impossible to find a comfortable position, no matter how I sit. I’m starting to think this whole road trip idea is a massive mistake. My body isn’t ready for hours of sitting, especially not now with the baby growing more each day.
"Uncomfortable, baby?" Jace asks from across the van, his blue eyes watching me from the opposite row of seats that face mine. The vehicle is spacious, with two rows of chairs facing each other behind the driver’s seat, more like a luxury transport than a typical van.
"My back is killing me," I admit, stretching my legs out toward him in silent request. Without hesitation, he takes my right foot in his hands and begins massaging it, his strong fingers finding pressure points I didn’t even know existed.
"Better?" he asks with a wink, his thumb pressing into my arch in a way that makes me groan.
