Page 150 of Dream Mates
Grace
Iended the call, wishing Evan could talk longer but it was Thursday. He probably had things to finish so that he could meet up with Riley. I hadno ideawhere I was on campus.
Riley. I texted her and asked her about getting the footage from the cafe.
Overwhelmed, I slumped on a bench and texted Wes.
Me
Love you.
A sob escaped my lips. That womanhurtme.
“Hey, it’s okay.” Creed sat down on the bench next to me. “Can I hug you?”
I nodded and let him hug me.
“Come on. Verity said I could use her car. I’ll drive you to your alpha. Where is he?” Creed asked.
“It’s fine. He’s not far. He’s at…” I checked my phone, “Strauss Chemicals?”
“It just so happens, I know how to get there. I did an internship there during undergrad,” Creed told me.
“I told you to leave,” a female voice snapped.
“Leave me alone. I already had an asshole parent, thank you very much,” I retorted, looking up. Adriana Thorne scowled at me, her scent spicy with anger, making my own anger flare.
Professor Thorne was nowhere to be seen, but then I think he had to go teach a class.
“I. Am. Not. Her. But I’m curious why you think I’m not? I’m guessing you know that she is actually dead and thought it would be better for your mate to look for her all these years instead of telling him the truth? Because you got toyou’re not herpretty quick,” I added.
“Do not presume to know what happened,” Adriana growled.
“If you’ll excuse me, I really do have some place to go. Unless you’re going to push me again? That’s assault right? There were lots of witnesses, possibly cameras?” I goaded, standing. She crossed a line. I’d done nothing to her.
Creed stood and frowned. “Whydoyou think it’s not her, Mom? I mean, you don’t even know how old Dr. Ellington is.”
“It doesn’t matter. Because she’s not–and she’s too old to be Barrett’s, so she must have read about Zain and is after our money,” she snapped. “She’s probably not even a real blonde.”
Who was Zain?
I laughed. “I don’t need your money. Creed, let’s blow this place.”
Creed frowned at his mom and put an arm around my shoulders. “Yeah, let’s get you to your alpha.”
I half expected her to order us not to leave.
Instead, she huffed off in the other direction. “I’ll have your career,” she yelled.
“Try me.” I flipped her off.
Creed sighed as he led me someplace. “Sorry. I know this is a sore spot for the family, but I wasn’t expecting her tohurtyou–even to protect my dad. While the yelling and threats are spot on when she feels we’re in danger, grabbing you isn’t. Are you all right? I can take you to the Center clinic, there’s one down the street.”
“I’m fine.” Actually, my knees hurt, so did my wrist. “I can’t wait for her to figure out what pack I’m in and where I work. That’s what, three pumpkins?”
“Probably. Don’t hate Hale. He’s a reckless asshole, but not an intentional one. He didn’t mention you, he just told Dad that he was having coffee with me. Apparently, it’s not unusual for Dad to get a cup of tea before this lecture.” Creed sighed again as a parking lot came into view.
“Are you sure it’s not a problem to drive me?” I asked him, not wanting to be a bother.
