Page 189 of Loving Ladybug: Part One
“I’m so sorry about the mess,” I told the server, making a note to tip her as much as I could.
“I can’t find any of this online,” Ty muttered.
“Please, leave it alone, Ty,” I pleaded, as Clark held me tight.
Lucius’ family had kept it all out of the media. As had mine. You could find a couple of small things about Austin Blake looking for his missing beta girlfriend. And a bit about my uncle being charged, for keeping his niece in his lake house against her will.
“But–”
“It’s none of your fucking business,” Clark snapped. “She’s allowed to break up with knotheads, she’s allowed to date again, she’s allowed to defend herself, and she doesn’t owe you anything because she used to date your teammate. If you want to be helpful, why don’t you have your team lay off.”
“Hoodlum and Ty’s team is giving her shit?” Jonas’ voice grew sharp.
“Yeah,” Clark replied. “Gwen even gave them the police report, and they still think she cheated and buried Austin at the zoo.”
“Ty, fix that,” Jonas snapped. “Hey, are you okay, Ladybug?”
“I’m okay. Just wet. I didn’t hurt Austin,” I sobbed. “I don’t know how anyone could think that.”
Clark rubbed my back. “I’m so sorry he dragged all that up. It’s okay.”
“Okay.” I closed my eyes and leaned against him. I couldn’t believe I revealed all that with everyone there.
Though Windy had fucking started it.
“Do you want to go home?” he asked.
“Can we stay a little longer?” I still hoped Tenzin would come.
His arms tightened around me. “Anything you want, Gweny. Anything you want.”
What I wanted was Tens.
Chapter Sixty-Two
Tenzin
“Thank you for taking the time to meet with me. I appreciate it.” I shook hands with the expert I’d just had dinner with.
“My pleasure,” the alpha replied, gathering his things. “I’m happy to help.”
I left the restaurant, feeling bad that I’d arrived late to Gwen’s game and had to leave early. Trying to track down this expert had been difficult, and he was only in New York for a short time.
While betas suffered when bonds with their alphas broke, no one seemed to care. Most of the research and services focused on omegas, since their bonds were two-way. There was a difference between breaking a bond and breaking a bond with your scent match when theydied–though both were painful.
And dead-matches? Most people thought it was a fairytale. And two betas dead-matchesbonding?Impossible.
Which was why I’d been so grateful he’d made time for me. He was one of the few researchers in the world studying dead-matches and the only one willing to talk to me without offering Gwen up as a subject. Dinner had been quite educational.
Also, heart-wrenching.
Gwen
Come to Tito’s? I won the game!
Yes, I’d stop by for a few moments. I missed Gwen and Clark so much. Thank goodness they were being patient with me. Between therapy and being depressed, I wasn’t fun to be around–or wanting to be around people much.
Knights and university students crowded Tito’s. I looked around for Gwen among the sea of bodies.
