Page 22 of Unforgivable

We should have thought about Lyri's family. Why did we assume she was unloved and unwanted? These people searched for her. They suffered, not knowing if she was OK. Hell, they are still suffering.

"I'm sorry. We should have sent word."

Ted lets out one sarcastic bark of laughter. "Just keep her away from here. This place is fucking toxic. I know my daughter. If I ever get my hands on that piece of shit alphason, I'll kill him. He's the one who was cheating on his mate. Why punish my daughter? If it weren't Lyri, it would have been another female. That male is going to be our alpha?"

We pack things in silence for a minute. I hate to admit it, but I never really thought about it. Daan left with his mate, Cloe, leaving Lyri behind to catch all of the punishment. This situation is much more complicated than I think we understood before.

I try to concentrate on the task at hand. Lyri has simple tastes, it seems. Hanging in the back are a couple of party dresses with tags, but everything else is modest, standard stuff.

"She bought those a couple of years ago. She bought three dresses, wore one, then never wore it again. It's disappeared." Ted glares at the other two dresses. "She won't want those."

"We'll buy her dresses," I tell him. Anything she doesn't already have, we'll supply. I already know she needs a heavier, waterproof coat and some heavy-duty boots. Winter at the ranch isn't like winter in town.

"OK," Tabitha bustles into the room, a novel in her hands. She hands me the papers, and I stare down at them blankly. "It's a letter for Lyri," she explains.

"She's been saving all those thoughts for a while now," Ted explains to me in a stage whisper, obviously trying to lighten the mood for his mate.

"It's for Lyri," Tabitha sniffs at him.

I smile, taking the stack and folding them neatly before tucking it into my jacket's interior pocket. "I'll make sure she gets it."

The next half-hour is spent with Ted and I methodically packing while Tabitha flits through the room, grabbing things at random and tearfully stuffing them into the boxes.

The little female stomps in ungracefully just as we finish up. "Here," she shoves a shoebox into my hands, "it's Lyri's things. She'll want them." Her voice is choked. She turns to leave, swiping angrily at a stray tear on her face.

"Lyri..." Ted rubs his face, "she always protected Penny. Ri always was so successful. Learning, always learning, and training. Penny looked up to her. Looks up to her," he amends. "Penny's gotten into fights a couple of times in school defending her sister. I think she's taking this harder than any of us."

I mumble an agreement. I feel a little guilty about not offering to bring Lyri back to her family even though she obviously can't stay in this house in the middle of the pack. She has a lot more freedom out on the ranch. At least she can leave the house.

If everything with her and us goes well, maybe her family can come to visit. Not yet, Rhet told me that he wants Lyri to settle in with us first. But we can't be cruel enough to keep Lyri from these wolves.

When I leave, Tabitha has her little male on her hip. The little guy just woke up and is rubbing his eyes. He looks like a mini version of Lyri, and I feel a pang of longing looking at him. Thjis isn't sure if Lyri can have pups. It's a long shot anyway because none of us is her mate, but she may not be able to fall pregnant with the damage done to her. I wonder if she knows or when Thjis will tell her?

Just as I go to step into the truck, Tabitha grabs my arm. "Thank you," she whispers.

Hey, no problem. I'm just going to be seducing your damaged daughter and having as much sex as possible with her along with two other males, but you're welcome.

I choke back those thoughts before I can say anything. I'm not suicidal, and I assume that Ted and Tabitha already have their suspicions. They must know that their daughter will belong to one of us. What they don't know is that Lyri will belong to all three of us. They wouldn't ever let themselves believe that.

I just offer Tabitha a nod. They hustle back inside, closing up the door tight, and it hits me how blank and desolate the outside of their house looks compared to the inside. Lyri's family is hiding in plain sight. Who knows how the pack has been treating them?

As I pull down the street, I see a large, black SUV idling on the corner. I curl my lip up at the sight. Someone's been spying.

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