Page 52 of Match My Fall
“Wetalked about this,”Thorneretorted, his lip puckering in disgust. “Idon’t want him around her.”
Igritted my teeth, trying to hold back the anger bubbling up inside me. “Well, that’s too bad.Becausehe’s a part of my life so naturally that means he will be aroundPaige.”
“Youcan’t be so neglectful.”Thornescowled. “Shiftersare wild, unpredictable creatures.”
Ilet out a frustrated sigh. “Onceagain, you are wrong about that.He’sgood and kind.Hecares about me—and that’s more thanIcan say for some people.”Ifixed a hard stare onThorne.
Heglared back, his jaw clenched. “She’smy daughter too.Ihave a say in this.”
“Toa point.Andthat point stops when it comes to whoIspend time with.”
Hesneered and his eyes turned frigid. “You’remaking a mistake,Cassandra.Youhave no idea what these shifters are capable of.They’reanimals and can’t be trusted.”
Aninstinct to cover my stomach and protect my child fromThorne’spoisonous words rose, but then he might suspect something.Hedidn’t need to knowIwas pregnant yet, and thatPaigewould have a sibling with shifter blood.
Instead,Ijutted my chin up. “Itsounds like you’re being ignorant and closed-minded about others—again.”
“Oneday, you’ll wake up and regret it,”Thornewarned while wagging his index finger. “Andwhen you do, don’t come crying to me.”
Itook a step forward, my face inches from his. “Whenit comes to looking for a shoulder to cry on, you’d be thelastpersonI’dgo to.”Myvoice trembled with fury. “Especiallysince you were the cause of many tears.”
Heopened his mouth to retort, but then snapped it shut, turned, and walked back to his car.
* * *
Refusingto letThorneget to me,ItookPaigeand met up withValenat the park.He’dbe a part ofPaige’slife, so they should get to know each other better.Itwas a sunny day, unusually warm for winter, so we took advantage of getting outside while we could.
Aswe walked through the park,IwatchedValenandPaigeinteract.Hemade her laugh with corny jokes.Thethree of us ran around, chasing each other in a game of tag.Thisis whatIthought family would be like whenIwas pregnant withPaige.Couldit be better this time around?
OrwouldIbe repeating the same mistake by trusting the wrong man?
AsIwatchedValen,Ipictured what our child might look like.Wouldhe or she have his dark hair and blue eyes or my lighter hair and brown eyes?Ourchild would have both witch and shifter blood, which could be a great advantage in the magical world.Wouldour child be able to shift into a wolf form likeValen?Wait,Ididn’t even know whatValenlooked like as a wolf.Thatwas somethingIhad to see for myself.
Anotherpossibility was that our child could be targeted for being different.Therewere too many prejudices in the world.WhenIrecalled howThorneconsidered shifters,Ifrowned.
No,Iwouldn’t let him affect another pregnancy.Ifocused on my baby.
Valenglanced over at me, catching my eye.Myheart fluttered and my lips responded with a small smile.
“I’mhungry,”Paigesaid a few minutes later.
“Timeto go,”Ideclared.TurningtoValen,Isaid, “Wouldyou like to join us for dinner at the house?Nothingspecial.”Ishrugged. “Bakedchicken, rice, and salad.”
Hegrinned. “Soundsdelicious.Countme in.WhatcanIpick up?Dessert?”
“Paigeand her sweet tooth would love that.”
“I’llget her favorite ice cream.”Hewinked. “Whatabout yours?”
SinceIwouldn’t be enjoying wine for a while,I’dindulge in more ice cream. “Chocolatealmond.”
Henodded. “Yougot it.”
“Seeyou at the house.”Ismiled and then left the park withPaige.
AsIapproached my house,Iswore under my breath.Thornewas parked out front.Whatin the hell was he doing there?
Ipulled into the driveway and textedValen:
