Page 209 of Dream Girl
“No, that’s his name. Maybe we know different ones.” I frowned.
“Hardly. I’ve known Wes since I was at the university, and I know his mate–and you, my dear, aren’t it. Oh, did you sneak in? I won’t tell. Are you trying to meet rich alphas? I can help youfind much better ones than the likes of him.” She laughed, but it was tight and fake.
“You know what? I should find him. Nice to meet you.” I hustled off, despite it feeling rude. This seemed weird.
Cari grabbed my wrist, her pink nails digging into my gloved wrist, stopping me. “You shouldn’t lie about things like that.”
I frowned at her touching me. “Why would I lie about Wes being my mate? People do have more than one.”
“Wes would never take another.” There was a hard edge in her voice.
Arms wrapped around my waist and the scent of laundry enveloped me.
“Grace, there you are. Evangeline, Caroline, you’re here. I see that you’ve met my mate.” Wes sounded less than pleased to see them.
“Wes.” Cari’s posture changed, and she practically melted into her mate as if he could make her invisible.
“They’ve opened the doors for dinner, let’s go find our table.” Wes guided me out of there before Cari could say anything.
“I don’t know what just happened,” I whispered, as he steered me to some open doors.
“That’s Caroline. Brennan’s ex. Fuck. We had no idea that she was coming. Brennan’s going to be livid.” With his hand in mine, we made our way through the ballroom.
“Shit.”Thatwas Caroline. The one who tried to replace Evan. The one who hurt Brennan. The one who thought revenge porn and robbery was the answer.
“Yep.” His expression went grim as we found Brennan, Jett, and Evan sitting at a round table festooned with flowers and sparkles.
Brennan frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Caroline’s here. She cornered Grace,” Wes explained.
“Fuck.” Brennan growled.
“It’ll be okay.” Evan put an arm around him.
“Incoming,” Jett muttered.
“Boys, it’s been so long,” Caroline fake-gushed, three alphas now at her back, her mom nowhere in sight.
“Caroline,” Brennan grunted. Everyone else glared at her.
“Evan.” Her look took on one of concern as she leaned in and lowered her voice. “I’m so sorry to hear what Wes did to you. Do you need me to call the Center for you? You have rights, you know.”
“I’m not sure what’s happening,” Rolf said to the one that smelled like copper.
“Thanks for your concern, but the integration team has it under control. We’re good. All Wes did was to bring some peaches into our life.” Evan gave me a kiss.
“Caroline, I think you should take your seat.” Brennan’s voice was firm.
“You actually let someone else in your pack, Bren?” Caroline frowned, arms wrapped around her stomach.
“Let’s go find our seats, Dear. You’ve been standing too long,” the copper-scented one drawled, putting his arm around her as if trying to herd her away.
Caroline’s expression was halfway between upset and furious as her alphas led her to another table.
“We’re leaving.” Brennan shot up from his seat, expression angry.
“I’m okay with that.” Riley appeared, holding half a pie.
