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Nathan sits next to Sean, catching my gaze. “Better idea this way, huh? Sounds like you don’t want Gayle sitting next to Sean.”
My cheeks heat. I don’t know if Nathan is only saying this because we’re in front of Sean or if he’s mad that I had a reaction I couldn’t help. I’ve spent months hating this bitch, accusing her of taking Sean from me.
Nathan turns to Sean. “Don’t you think?” From the corner of my eye, I see his own spark with his taunt.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sean deadpans, then turns his back, effectively separating the two of them from us. When he looks at me, it’s all fake. There’s a tension in his body, a coiling, like there’s water built up in a high-pressure hose. He gives me what’s supposed to be a sly grin. “I forgot to tell you earlier that I liked your hair.”
“Yeah?” I ask.
He nods, but he doesn’t even look at it again, which makes me think he’s either blowing smoke up my ass or he’s trying but really just doesn’t know how.
I peer over at Alice. Her mate actually has his hand on her thigh. She’s not going to be at Greystone for long. I envy her. I wish it had been that easy for me. On the other hand, if things were different, I wouldn’t be this close to Nathan, and right now, he’s the only one in my corner trying to keep me sane.
“I should’ve said it earlier, but I think it’s bullshit that they’re putting a timeline on us.”
“I mean, it’s been over a year,” I retort.
“It should take us as long as it takes us,” he counters.
“They don’t see it that way.”
Beyond Sean, I can tell Nathan is listening by the cut of his shoulders, but he doesn’t interfere.
Sean runs his hands through his hair. “Listen, there’s a party coming up. I thought we could go together.” He leans closer. “It’s unsanctioned.”
I know the kind he means. It’s in the woods. Alcohol, dancing, loud music. Most get-togethers are arranged by the alpha, but not these. I used to attend them all the time when we were in high school. I had no idea that older shifters still went to those kinds of things. Maybe they don’t. Maybe they have their own.
“Sounds like fun,” I tell him. “I was also hoping you would go to dinner at my parents’ house. Apparently, the only way they’ll see me is if you’re there, too.”
“That’s not what I said,” a prickly voice comes from behind me.
My shoulders straighten. My mother is standing at my back. I didn’t sense her because I was caught up in Sean and Nathan, but now that she’s behind me, I’m almost overwhelmed by her presence.
I turn immediately. Her sharp cheekbones are highlighted by heavy bronzer. She has a head full of fake blonde curls. Elegant in a silk blouse, she looks the exact opposite of me.
“But Mia’s right, I would love to have you at the house, Sean.”
He clears his throat, his leg jumping up and down even more. “I’d be happy to come, Mrs. Adams.”
Lie. That was so forced.
I smile up at my mother as if to tell her, “See. I can make this happen.”
She gives me a tighter smile back. As usual, my father isn’t with her. He must be on some business, but trust me, she talks more than enough for the two of them.
She reaches down, placing her palm on my cheek like she’s an affectionate mother. “It’s good to see you, Mia.”
With that, she strolls down the aisle. No hug. No embrace. Nothing. It certainly didn’t look like the first meeting between a mother and daughter who haven’t seen each other in months.
I frown after her retreating form. She was never like this before I got rejected. Sure, I knew she was superficial, but she was the doting, involved parent. She wanted to know everything I did. She was interested. It’s like she gave up on the idea of the perfect child when I got rejected, and it got worse every day after that when I didn’t return home with the mate I should have had.
Her disapproval hits me the most. It’s her voice that screams in my head that I’m bucking the system by not being able to secure a mate that should love me, anyway.
“That was...odd,” Sean has the audacity to say.
“Oh, you didn’t know?” I snap. “My mother doesn’t really care for me ever since I’ve been stuck at the academy. She doesn’t call. We don’t talk. She doesn’t invite me home for family time.”
Each of my harsh words hits Sean differently. His forehead pinches, eyes sinking in, like I’m actually punching him.