Page 87 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“But we want one, Ma,” he yelled back.
I laughed, as I hung partway off the bed, trying to get the pillow. “My nonna had cats. At home we had a dog.”
The dog actually belonged to the youngest of my three brothers. Though out of all my siblings, I’d been closest to my oldest brother.
I’d been missing those two, and one of my sisters. But I had to be strong. There was no guarantee that my dads would stay out of my life if I started talking to my family again.
It was better this way.
Besides, I’m sure they were too busy with their important, grown-up lives.
“I feel like with our schedules, a cat would be better,” Clark replied. “Also, easier to hide since we don’t have to walk them. One day. We’ll get a big dog?”
“Like malamute big.” I put the pillow back. “Until then, yes, a little fluff ball will do. Hi, Snowball.”
We talked for a few more moments, then he hung up. I couldn’t wait for him to come back.
I grabbed two beers and slid on my flip-flops. Tenzin thought me walking across the hall barefoot was weird.
He let me in, I left my shoes by the door, and we settled on the couch with our beers. Tonight he had more chips for me to try. We watched the evening news, since I enjoyed knowing what was happening in the world.
Beers and snacks finished, Tenzin made us some tea, and we turned on the show. It was this Chinese drama, about an omega prince, who had an arranged marriage to a lady alpha general, even though the prince already hadthreebeta wives.
I liked the relationship between the beta wives and the general, because the general was kind to them and protected them. It had subtitles, but I didn’t mind.
We watched an episode while we drank our tea though I wasn’t quite curled up in him the way I did with Clark.
The episode ended and Tenzin paused it. “Another?”
I looked at my phone. “We’ve been going to bed so late.”
“Mmm hmmm, given you usually didn’t hit the iceafteryou got off work?” Tenzin gave me a measured look. “You have a point. See you in the morning?”
“Are you still up for morning yoga in the park and a trip to see Marty before I hit the drop-in workout at my university?” I offered. I needed to see the NYIT physio after the workout, as the Knights’ physio had been off.
“Then we’ll go to music in the park? I’ll bring the picnic if you bring the blanket?” he offered.
“Perfect. Good night, Big Guy.”
“Why are you crying? I’m here now. We’re finally together.” He looked genuinely perplexed as I sobbed in the four-poster bed he’d tied me to.
“Let me go, I'm not your mate.” I sniffed, fighting against the bonds.
He’d found me. He’d fucking found me after all this time. How? I had a new name, a new look, and it had been years.
“But I am.” He sat down next to me and ran his fingers through my hair. I flinched at his touch. “Hey, none of that. I know you don’t feel it yet. You will. We’ll make a magnificent home together, you’ll see. You’re my match.”
“Please don’t.” My belly clenched, because I knew what he meant by that.
I wasn’t his true mate. I was just a beta. Even if I wasn’t, we weren’t soul mates–scent matches. I was merely the focus of his obsession.
Dumbass spoiled, entitled, rich, alpha brat.
“Don’t be afraid. Don’t you want to be with me forever?”
My dream twisted as his old-money, good looks faded into Austin’s.
Austin sneered at me, eyes full of malice. There was a skate blade in his hand. “No? You’re just a no good beta bitch, aren’t you?”
