Page 124 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“He’s here to what?” I frowned. No wonder she was upset.
“I’m confused. She’s an adult and a beta. Her brother can’t throw her over his shoulder and take her back to her dads’ house.” Clark frowned. “She also said the last time she was in Canada, she had to crawl out the window.”
Huh. She had told me that she’d changed her name because of safety reasons.
“Oh, Babybug, I made you a present,” Cooter said, in English, digging something out of his pocket.
That only cemented the fact that the fucker knew Gwen was going to be here anddidn’t tell me.Asshole. I should have suspected something, since he’d only invited me to be his plus one a few weeks ago.
He put the leather cord around her neck. “I made this to protect you. I have one, too.” Cooter took his out from under his shirt.
I put my hand over my face. “Cooter.”
She admired the piece of bone on the cord. “This is bone?”
While he meant well, I wasn’t sure what she’d think of wearing a raccoon penis bone as jewelry. But thiswasGwen, and itwasa raccoon.
“Raccoon. Don’t worry, it was humanely acquired,” he replied.
“Thank you.” She grinned. “This is so nice, and I could use this right now.”
Clark looked at it, and his eyebrows rose. “Um, isn’t that…”
“Yes.” I sighed. While I loved Cooter like a brother, Cooter Cootering in public could be a bit much for me sometimes.
Jonas chuckled. “This is the most goalie thing ever.”
Gwen blinked. “I think it’s sweet.”
“I still have the one you made me. Wear it for all the big games,” Jean-Paul replied.
“Excuse me.” A nicely dressed alpha in his late thirties appeared. He had wavy brown hair, olive skin, and hazel eyes.
Hazel eyes that reminded me of Gwen’s.
“Gwen, can we talk, please?” he pleaded, turning to her.
“Is this your ex who hurt you?” Cooter blocked her with his body, eyes narrowing at the stranger.
“No.” She shook her head, burnt sugar fear overpowering her mint scent.
“She’s an adult and has a life and people who care about her.” Clark joined Cooter, scowling. “You need to leave her alone. She’s also great at hockey.”
Carlos stood next to her. “Oh, fuck, your asshole dad is here.”
“I think you should leave,” I told him, taking a step toward the stranger, Gwen’s fear tugging on my alpha instinct to protect her.
“I swear I’m only here for Flavie’s cousins’ wedding, nothing more. Look, I didn’t know you were here. All I want to do is talk.” The man looked at Carlos, horrified. “I’mnother dad.”
“That’s Matty, my brother.” She pulled Clark to her.
“Your brother’sold,” Carlos chortled. “Old enough to be yourdad.”
“Thanks.” Matty’s voice went dry.
“Ladybug, you don’t have to go with anyone or do anything you don’t want.” Jean-Paul joined me. Most of the Knights surrounded her.
“I can call security,” Jonas said.
