59

Seline

My first reaction is guilt when I see Austin standing there, waves of thunderous anger rolling off him.

My second reaction is my own anger at the audacity he has to glare at me and Loyd.

When I see his fists clench by his side, a part of me—a foolish, naive part of me—suddenly wonders if he is going to intervene. Will he finally look at me?

However, that is not what happens.

“Come on,” he says abruptly to the juveniles, who look both scared and relieved to see him. “Let’s go.”

My jaw clenches as his disgust of me shows on his face. However, I have a duty to fulfill, and there’s no way I’m letting Austin get in the way of that.

I step in his path, “Before running away, you should know that they caused damage to the establishment. I need your contact information and their ages. If any of them are or above eighteen, local authorities have to be involved.”

I see Austin’s eyes narrow. “Don’t be ridiculous. You can’t seriously be that petty to attack these children because of your ego—"

“Mr. Cross,” a cold laugh leaves my throat. “You think too highly of yourself. Before you start assuming things about how I feel, maybe you should remember the few rules that you were informed about when you decided to settle here. I’m not interested in your personal number, either.”

My fury is a slow rising thing, building from a foundation of years of hurt and constant rejection. “You can leave the number of any maternal female who is in a senior position in your pack. But you have to leave a number, regardless.”

I see his expression tighten at my words.

The juveniles are looking between us, and I see the shock and realization dawn on them about who I am. They shrink back for some reason, looking even more guilty.

I don’t care.

“Now, I’m going to ask you again. How many of your juveniles are of age?”

Austin’s face darkens, and I wonder if he’s planning to lie to me, but then he begrudgingly admits, “Jerry and Lou.”

The two in question are white as sheets, and one of them stammers. “Does this mean I’ll have a criminal history?”

When Austin doesn’t answer, I decide to. “Unfortunately, yes.”

“B-But,” he’s shaking now. “My college…Austin, won’t this affect my college admission?”

I feel a stab of guilt when I glance at him. He looks like a young kid right now, frightened. “I didn’t even start the fight. We were just hanging out, and their group attacked the younger kids. We had to defend them!”

“But shifting in public, Jerry?” Austin frowns, displeased. “Do you know how damaging that could be?”

“They shifted first!” Jerry points a finger at the sneering group of boys. “They called your mate really bad names and insulted you as well!”

“What?” I stammer. Which mate?

“You!” Jerry scowls. “They were calling you a hybrid whore and –“

It feels like I’ve been slapped across the face, and it’s a struggle to maintain a calm façade, “I’m not your Alpha’s mate.”

I decide to say that before Austin rejects me again in another heartbreaking manner. Austin’s face is tight, but he doesn’t say anything, to my relief.

“I do admit that their language was foul,” I say, “but I don’t need you to—"

“We all know you are his fated mate!” The other boy insists. “Insulting you is like insulting Austin!”

Family. So that’s what it feels like.

My heart softens towards them, but I don’t change my tune. “Even if they insult me, you should not get involved. This is something for the adults to handle. And I am not linked to Austin in any way, shape, or form.”

For a moment, I see something like a flash of rage on Austin’s face when he meets my gaze, but then he looks back towards Jerry. “Seline is right. We can handle our own problems.”

Why is he talking as if we are a unit?

I glance at Loyd. “I do hope this isn’t going to become a problem, though. I don’t care if someone insults me. It’s more of a reflection of their own stupidity. But starting fights is going to be an issue. You have to keep in mind that this town is run by a vampire. If your pack juveniles keep up these antics, it will divert too much attention towards your pack.”

Loyd places his hand on the shoulder of one of the boys and squeezes gently. “Don’t worry. I’ll be sure to discipline them thoroughly.”

The boy’s face turns pale and I feel a hint of unease. “Don’t be too hard on them.”

“How could I not?” Loyd frowns. “They insulted you. Am I supposed to tolerate that?”

Isn’t he being too forward?

Apparently, Austin’s juveniles think the same because of them growls. “That’s our Alpha’s mate! Watch it!”

“Lou!” Austin snarls.

Lou shuts up, but Austin isn’t done, “I’ve already rejected her and you know it. Stop this shit now! She’s not my mate!”

Everything inside me grows cold at the harsh words, and I look away, forcing my pain to abide.

“Oh, she’s not?” Loyd suddenly wraps his arm around me before looking down at me, a brilliant smile on his face. “Single, are we?”

Despite my own humiliation, the humor in his words and the comfort makes my lips curve. “As single as they come.”

I have to admit that the wolf Alpha is charming in his own way, a far cry from the grumpy, mean-natured Austin.

“Well,” he gives me shoulders a squeeze. “One man’s loss is another man’s gain. You should really show me around town, Seline, since you have no other engagements.”

I can see the devastation in the eyes of the juveniles from the Stone Creek Pack, but I don’t understand it. This has nothing to do with them.

Jerry then looks at me. “Am I going to go to jail now?” He is close to tears. “I worked really hard on my college application. If they reject me—"

I can’t bear it any longer. “I’m sure I can find a way around it, but it’s up to your Alpha,” I don’t even look at Austin.

“You can? How?” The surprised edge to Jerry’s voice makes me glance back at him.

“Well, I do need some part-timers in the kitchen and the floor. They can volunteer their services for three months, and all repairs will be made from whatever salaries they receive.”