Page 129 of Dream Girl
“Spencer, over here.” My mother waved as Spencer and Grace walked in our direction.
My heart went to my feet, and I texted him back.
Me
Why does no one tell me anything anymore?
Wes
Maybe because we haven’t had a family dinner in a while?
Point taken. That was where we updated each other.
“Siobhan, you look radiant,” Spencer told her. “May I present Dr. Grace Ellington, Wes’ mate. My good doctor, this isSiobhan and Frank Morris–Brennan’s parents. Their foundation is sponsoring tonight’s science dinner.”
“It’s so nice to meet you.” Grace smiled and gave a little wave, clinging to Spencer’s arm.
“I’m glad you’re here and feeling better,” my mother told her, giving her a head-to-toe once-over, passing judgment. As usual.
“Grace, you lookamazing.” Rami gave her a hug. “I’ve got people for you to meet.”
Grace’s face lit up. “I can’t wait. Love the pocket square.”
“You look great,” Jett told her.
Grace turned to me. “Hi, Brennan.”
“Grace.” What did I even say to her? I could see the anxiety on her face, the burnt smell of her fear among the peaches.
At least she wasn’t at our table.
Rami started talking animatedly to Grace.
Spencer came over to me. “Just give her a chance.”
Without waiting for a reply, he asked my mother a question.
Spencerwasannoyed with me. Ugh.
“Excuse us, we have some people to meet before everything starts.” Spencer nodded and hauled Grace off to another part of the room.
“Wes has good taste,” my father said, eyes still fixed on Grace. “Skittish though. She doesn’t like crowds? Or is she still not feeling well?”
At least they took her fear as that, instead of me.
Certainly, she looked the part of a beloved omega in a wealthy pack–pampered and coiffed, bedecked with jewels. In reality, Grace was an alpha-slapping, omega-kissing, beer drinking, little troublemaker.
I never meant to hurt her. All I wanted was for her to leave us alone.
I wanted everyone to leave us alone.
Seeing her room sterile and bleached, the scent of her gone, all the things they’d bought her tucked away, shook me. It catapulted me back to everything that Evan went through with Caroline.
Hurting Grace was the last thing I wanted to do. Something about her was so… fragile, like a delicate little butterfly. But I didn’t know how to stop myself.
The idea of someone new joining the pack terrified me. We’d been through so much together. How did we bring someone in after that?
But Wes didn’t make idle threats. Also, the law was on his side.
