Page 93 of Finding the Forward: Part One
“I was simply being polite and saying hello to everyone.” Her blue eyes swept across everyone at the table. She didn’t like Spencer or Compass BioTek, so she didn’t acknowledge him.
Mumsy’s unrelenting gaze focused on me, eyes narrowing. “You’re kidding me.”
“Verity’s allowed to date now. They’re in the ice business,” Dad said slowly.
Mumsy scoffed. “How disappointing. You know, we’re absolutely appalled by your recent behavior.”
“I’m allowed to know where my money goes, Mumsy,” I replied, insides twisting. Why did we have to do this now?
Really, I shouldn’t have to do this at all.
“Pip, there’s no need for this. She has a point. I didn’t know the cows didn’t get bought.” Dad’s voice tightened, though he didn’t extract himself from her embrace.
Grace scowled at her as Spencer moved a fork out of Grace’s reach.
“You don’t have to take this,” Jonas whispered quietly, the hand on my neck moving up so he could tangle his fingers in the back of my hair.
“I don’t need anyone’s approval to date. I’mtwenty-five.” My voice went tart. Jonas’ words, their touch, gave me strength. I gave Grif, then Dean, a kiss on the cheek to punctuate it. Her mouth opened in protest, and I shook my head, the guys making me brave.
Mumsy looked over at Mercy and the others as they danced around the lobby. “Why did you allow her to wear that?”
“She looks nice. They’re all dressed like that. It’s rather elegant,” Dad said quietly.
“Verity is doing just fine raisingyourchild onyourbehalf because you’ve decided to start a new life elsewhere, without them,” Grif said in his fierce, protective voice.
Dad flinched, but Grif was right. I leaned into Grif, giving him a squeeze, my heart bursting with love.
“Stay out of this,” Mumsy retorted, making a little growl.
Dean whimpered at the show of alpha force. Something in me snapped. I pulled both of them closer. While I appreciated Grif sticking up for me, it was beyond time I stood up for myself.
“Don’t you dare speak to them like that,” I snarled, possessiveness washing over me. They weremine.
“Don’t speak to me like that.” Mumsy drew herself up to her full height, which still was less than mine.
Nevertheless, she was an imposing woman. Even on this side of the table, I could feel her dominance.
Years of being chastised by the alpha moms made my shoulders slump on instinct. As my head ducked, Jonas’ hand, still tangled in the hair at the nape of my neck, slid toward my ear. His fingers darted to the underside of my jaw, a few inches past my ear, mostly hidden by my hair. They poked into my jaw, hard, as if trying to keep my chin up. His other hand settled on my shoulder, moving it back into position, as if covertly sayingdon’t you dare.
“Pip, stop,” Dad pleaded, his apricot scent souring.
Spencer and Creed went both went stiff, gaze focused on her. Though Spencer had an arm around Grace. Probably to keep her from stabbing Mumsy with a fork.
Dean’s gaze pleaded with me, squirming with the alpha pheromones being thrown around. Grif met my eyes, giving me a nod as if to sayit’s time.
Words had power. The power to help. The power to heal. The power tohurt.
I was over letting their words hurt me.
“Pack’s dissolved. You’re not my parent anymore,Pippa.” It took all my resolve to say that, my voice quiet but firm.
It was true. I had to file special paperwork after the pack dissolution in order for Mercy to still legally be considered my sister given we shared no bio-parents.
Mumsy scowled, and Dad looked sad. That was their fault for not considering the ramifications of their actions. They could’ve dissolved the pack another way and chose not to.
“Once you told me that respect wasearned.So’s being a parent. At least Dad’s trying. I owe you nothing. You have no control over me,” I growled, voice still low. As soon as I said that, I felt so much stronger. Freer.
Mumsy tossed her head back and laughed. “So dramatic, as usual. In public, nonetheless. How embarrassing.”
