Page 321 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha

There were a few beats of silence.

“What’s your human family like?” I asked.

The soft smile that took over his face melted my heart. “Our mother chose well. They’re very nice. They’re an older couple whose children had all grown up and had their own lives. They had been fostering orphan kids for a couple of years, but they decided to keep me. They don’t know I’m a wolf, and they have no idea what I do, but they accept that.”

“But you go for months without seeing them, right? What do you tell them?”

He chuckled to himself. “I tell them I build zip-line parks.”

I laughed. “What are their names?”

“My mom’s—er, foster mom’s name is?—”

“Sorry, I hate to interrupt you, but you don’t have to self-edit.” I put my hand on his. “If you consider the woman who raised you your mother, there’s nothing wrong with that. I think of my mom as my mom even though she didn’t give birth to me.”

He searched my face as if looking for permission, and then the smile was back on his face. “Thanks.”

I nodded. “Don’t mention it.”

“Their names are Bridgit and Horace Wolfe.”

That surprised me into a small fit of giggles. “You’re messing with me.”

Lance was smiling, too. “No, it’strue. I think our mother had a strange sense of humor.”

“Maybe she did. That would definitely explain yours.”

He paused, then burst out with a long, loud laugh. “That’s fair. My parents are in their eighties and live in a nursing home that their biological daughter pays for. I try to get up to Colville as often as I can to visit them. Lately, that’s been once a month.”

“You can visit them as often as you want, now that the secret’s out.”

He grinned. “I think I’ll keep it to once a month for now, at least until I’m sure that any potential threat to them is gone.”

I nodded. “That’s reasonable.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to bring down the mood.”

“No, no, it’s okay. I should probably talk to Night, huh?”

He nodded. “I’ll get him for you.”

“Thanks.”

He got up to leave. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. After everything Lance had told me, I had so much to think about, to unpack. But I was too exhausted. All I wanted was to see my mate.

As if thinking about him summoned him, the door opened, and Night walked in. I opened my eyes and saw the emotions wash over him: relief, love, trepidation…and guilt. I wanted to be angry, or just miffed at him for yet again keeping secrets from me. But I couldn’t muster up the energy.

“Night, I’m tired.”

“Oh, Bryn.” He came to my side, sitting in the chair Lance had occupied a few moments ago. “If you’re too injured, I’ll?—”

I raised my hand, and his mouth immediately shut. “No. It’s got nothing to do with my injuries. I am tired of beinglied to.”

He tensed, every muscle in his body locking up. Good. I wanted him tofeelhow serious I was in every part of his being.

“Lance explained everything to me,” I continued.” He was insistent that it wasn’t your fault, and in many ways, I kind of agree. You were told to keep his secret, so for him, you did it. You probably felt that it wasn’t your secret to tell, right?”

Stiffly, he nodded.