Page 94 of Finding the Forward: Part One
Her laughter made me flinch. I felt the slighted smack on my ass cheek, which made me sit up straight. Jonas, probably, but I didn’t look at him. Instead, I gave Mumsy amom lookof my own. After all, it worked great on rookies.
“Pip. That’s enough.” Dad’s voice broke. “You’re right, it’s late. I... I think it’s time to turn in. I can’t stay up as late as I used to.”
“Mum, you’re the one being embarrassing.” Creed stood, look challenging, his nectarine scent spicy with anger.
“Professor, you're welcome to stay with us.” Grace scowled at Mumsy, the fork in her hand. Spencer joined her and tried to pry the fork from her clenched fist.
My men stayed by me protectively, forming a wall of love.
“I’m fine. Promise.” Dad stood and came over to me, leaning across my man-guardian to kiss me on the cheek. “I love you, Ver.” He pulled Grace to him and kissed the top of her head, then hugged Creed tight. “Love you both. I’ll see everyone tomorrow.”
“Don’t forget to say goodbye to Mercy,” I told him, feeling incredibly conflicted about Dad leaving with Mumsy.
We watched Dad give Mercy a hug, then the two of them left. Mumsy’s arm went gently and protectively over his shoulder.
“Is it okay for him to leave with her? They’re in England, right? Aren’t their omega rights laws different from here?” Jonas whispered.
“He’s fine for now,” Creed sighed. “She’s always been good to him.”
“It’s nice that the littles have no filter. They keep us up with what’s going on while not knowing what they’re doing, even ifthey don’t understand time zones,” Grace said. “I still can’t grasp how a twatwaffle like her could be his scent match. The professor is a good guy when he’s not being steamrolled by the alphahole patrol.”
“People change, Grace,” Creed said quietly.
This all hurt my heart. I patted Dean to indicate that I needed him off my lap. “I need to use the restroom.”
Grace set the fork on the table. “I’ll go with you.”
I eased off the chair, Grif helping me gently. For a moment, I leaned into him, letting his rain scent fill my lungs as his chest rose and fell under my head. His arms wrapped around me, then let me go.
Straightening, I looked for my crutch. Jonas handed it to me.
“Thanks.” I slumped against it, worn out by the long day, and by the emotional exhaustion that came from dealing with Mumsy. She’d bepissedthat I’d challenged her in public.
Did it even matter anymore? Maybe I should change my number and be done with everyone but Dad.
Jonas blocked my view of the others with his body. His hand tipped my head up, his body extremely close. Those amber eyes met mine. “I’m glad you stood up to her.”
His voice went growly and low. He continued to hold my gaze, hand still under my chin. That gaze held no judgment, no malice.
All I saw was compassion.
“That woman doesn’t deserve your tears, Little Alpha.” Jonas’ thumb brushed the corner of my eye, heat searing me like a brand. His hand lingered, his gaze unwavering, unrelenting, as something unfamiliar zinged between us.
My face leaned into his hand as his fingers trailed down my face, eyes continuing to hold mine. They didn’t quite smolder, but there was something there.
Something possessive.
Something I craved in the deepest depths of my soul.
Jonas’ hand dropped. My face ached to be touched by him once again. He squeezed my shoulder, breaking eye contact and taking a step back. He jerked his head toward Grace, who waited expectantly, holding our purses. I nodded back, then took my purse from Grace.
“Sweet baby Jesus, that was hot as fuck,” Grace breathed, as we crossed the lobby to the bathroom.
My heart continued to thump in my ears from that interaction. “He handed me my crutch.”
“Yes, he did. He was also this close to calling youbaby girl.No, seriously, that washot.Also,who is he?You’ve told menothingabout tall, blue, and dangerous. You're holding out on me,” she breathed.
“Grace.” I gave her an incredulous look as we entered the bathroom.
