“Jazzy, Molly, and Jaxy loved their secrets,” Ryker murmured while Dakota stared at the picture on the table with mute anger. I understood why he was angry. How could he not be when he had another cousin he never knew about? Two, really. And it wasn’t just Dakota that got left out but his entire pack. “They were determined to take their last secret to their graves.”
“Unsurprising,” Rex sighed. “They loved having something to share between the three of them. It always drove Shelly crazy that she could get none of them to confide in her even though Pol laughed it off. I know it might be against Molly’s wishes, but introduce her son to his grandmother at the very least. It will hurt if we never meet him, but you shouldn’t devastate Shelly. She’s mourned them since she learned about the accident and couldn’t find even a trace of the boy. Whoever hid him, they did so well. It will make Shelly’s life if she meets her grandson.” Great, another sin to add to my list. Is there anyone I haven’t hurt since I was born?
Agony radiated from my soul while I wished I was never born. I shuddered when the couple glanced at me warily before turning their attention to Dakota. “Why did you bring Dakota here, Ryker? Why are you hurting him like this?” Jeanne asked with concern in her voice, although Dakota scoffed. “Hon, we never meant to hurt anyone. Once they passed, well, why tell anyone about someone they’d never meet?”
“Maybe if you weren’t such pushovers, she never would have suffered,” Dakota snarled. “Who lets their kids do whatever the hell they want and shrugs it off!?” The fury in his voice caused me to shrink in fear, which made him look at me. “Sweetheart, I’m not angry with you. You are the victim. And it’s partly their fault. Ryker isn’t much better.”
“No, no,” Ryker chuckled when Rex looked ready to argue, “he isn’t wrong. I honored a promise they conned me into making since you taught Jax your tricks all too well. However, the consequences of that were never suffered by me or Molly’s son. Sure, Matty suffered a little, but not as much as another. Dakota has every right to be angry.”
“He does, but who is this other?” Jeanne asked quietly, her eyes returning to me once more, and I swallowed nervously. My self-loathing rose because there was no way I was worth the three children they lost because of me. Tears burned my eyes again while pain tore my soul as if it were a piece of paper meant to become confetti.
Ghostly arms wrapped around me, and I shuddered. I sensed Jax’s presence almost as soon as we walked in, but he hung back while his parents explained. Now, he seemed intent on trying to project soothing emotions, although he didn’t speak. Because he didn’t want to hurt his parents with his voice? That would be odd since he’s always seemed able to control who could hear or see him before. Ryker chuckled and quietly asked, “are you satisfied? Has this gone the way you expected? I fear you should have known how much pain this would cause the one so dear to your heart.”
“M’lord?” Rex asked, his brow furrowed with confusion. In answer, Ryker chuckled and pulled my hood off before I realized what he intended to do. I hoped to sneak away without revealing myself since I would only be the recipient of their hostility. As much as I deserved it, I wanted to avoid it. Alas, I should have realized life wouldn’t miss this chance to gleefully kick me in the teeth.
“Jazzy,” Jeanne breathed once her shocked eyes took in my ash-blonde hair and light violet eyes that matched those of the ethereal beauty hugging Jax.
Hello Darkness, My Old Friend
The ghostly arms hugging me tightened, and I tried to take a step back, but Dakota refused to let me. “Angel,” Ryker corrected gently. “The omega you heard arrived and disappeared before you returned from visiting Pol and Shelly. No one would have spoken of her looks to keep from hurting you in case she never returned. While everyone who knew Jax wondered if there was a relation somehow, they knew Angel didn’t know, so they refrained from asking. Dakota intended to stir that pot, as did Char, but Kyler ran her off before they could.”
“Kyler?” Rex asked sharply, his hands grabbing Jeanne’s arm when she tried to surge forward, and I forced myself back. Dakota moved with me, a soothing noise coming from his throat while he pulled me closer to his chest. Fury still emanated from him, and I felt even worse since it was my fault he was so angry with them. I was sure they did what they thought was best. What else could you do as a parent?
“He’s her fated mate. However, as Dakota can attest since he witnessed it, Kyler rejected Angel the moment he discovered they were mates. The pack rebelled and is now under Marcus. So, Evan’s return tomorrow should be something to behold,” Ryker explained cheerfully. I tried to imagine what would have happened had Dakota not insisted the vampire come in with us, and a shudder shook my body. I doubt it would have gone well.
“I’ll kill the little bastard myself,” Rex declared, and I eyed him warily while trying to step back again. Dakota refused to let me move, and a soft whimper escaped my throat.
“You may not,” Ryker declared sternly. “Arctic is making him regret his decisions since today he reminded him that any alpha can become the mate of an omega.
