Page 53 of Match My Fall
Headsup:Myex is here.Andhe doesn’t like shifters.
WhenIclimbed out of the car,Thornewas already out of his, leaning against his car with his arms crossed.
Paigeran over and hugged him.Hegave her a quick embrace in return and then pulled back.
Theychatted for a minute before he said, “Ineed to talk to your mother.Whydon’t you go on inside?”Ihanded her the keys.
“Okay.”Shewalked to the front door, unlocked it, and entered.
Hetracked her with his gaze until she closed the door behind her.
Iraised my chin. “Whyare you here,Thorne?It’snot one of your nights withPaige.”
Heturned to me, eyes that were warm for our daughter a moment ago now cold and hard. “I’mhere to protect my daughter.”
CHAPTER15
VALEN
AfterIpicked up ice cream,Idrove toCassandra’shouse.Shewas talking to a man on the sidewalk near a car.Warningantenna rose and my wolf perked up, assessing if he was a threat.
Withtheir tense body language and strained expressions, they appeared to be arguing.Heshot a pointed glare atCassandra, and my wolf growled low inside.Mymuscles tensed as my protective instincts rose, butIforced myself to take a deep breath and keep calm.ThiswasPaige’sfather.Adelicate situation.Ineeded to handle it carefully.
ButwhenIheard the harsh way he spoke to her,Ibristled.Noone talked to my mate that way.
Theinstinct to protect her and our child skyrocketed so suddenly,Ishot out of the car beforeIrealized whatIwas doing.Mywolf itched to lash at this man, who he perceived as a threat.
AsIapproached with hastened steps, the man turned to me with a hard stare. “Whatthe hell do you want?”Hesniffed. “Shifter.”Hespat out the last word with disgust.
Hisscent was oneIhadn’t encountered before, butCassandrahad told me he was fae.Itgenerated a harsh reaction, oneIdidn’t like.Ormaybe it was his hostile manner.
Ina measured tone,Isaid, “Iwant you to back away fromCassandra.”
“Valen, it’s okay.”Shestepped in between us. “Thornewas just leaving.Weren’tyou?”Shestared at him.
Heignored her and pointed a finger at me. “Idon’t want you near my daughter, do you hear?”
AlthoughCassandrahad warned me he didn’t like shifters, she didn’t mention why.Hishostility was palpable, and my wolf stood vigilant, ready to strike.
Wehave to keep cool,Itold him, althoughIstruggled to do the same in the face of this rising threat.FightingPaige’sfather would exacerbate the situation.Althoughthe idea repulsed me,Ihad to take the high road and try to be civil for bothCassandraandPaige’ssake.
“Idon’t know what your issue with shifters is, butI’mgoing to be around here often.”Iturned my hand up in a placating gesture. “It’sbetter that we try to get along.Whydon’t we go to a pub and have a beer?”
Hiseyes narrowed to a piercing glare as ifI’dsuggested the most repulsive idea he’d ever heard. “Youdon’t understand,” he spat. “Idon’t want my daughter around an animal.Anuntamed beast.”
“Thorne!”Cassandracried. “Whatis wrong with you?”
Mywolf bared his teeth while my anger simmered beneath my skin.Myfingers itched to shift into claws soIcould slice the words out of this asshole’s mouth.Icurled my hands at my sides.
“Untamedbeast?”Irepeated, forcing myself to keep my voice steady. “Whydo you think that?”
Withthe way my wolf coiled, yearning to strike, it was a struggle to stay in control.
“Lookat you.”Hesneered at me. “Youcan barely keep it together.Shiftersare nothing but monsters hiding behind their human masks.”
“That’senough.”Istepped closer to him, andCassandramoved to the side to avoid being squashed. “I’mwithCassandra.ThatmeansI’llbe a part ofPaige’slife.”
Hesnorted. “NotifIhave anything to do with it.”Hetook a step backward from me.
