Page 113 of Wanted

A noise from my right catches my attention. Chance barely holds back his disdain for the name. I lay my hand on his caressing the outside of his palm with my thumb.

You’re my one and only mate. I tell him through our bond.

He turns over his hand so that he can intertwine our fingers. Both of my parents’ attention is drawn to the movement. While, in the past, I would never dare to be this affectionate with anyone in front of them, I’ve changed in the time I’ve been away.

I don’t even think of pulling my hand away from Chance’s.

“Besides, that relationship was doomed from the start,” I admit for the first time to my mother. “I believe I knew it even before I left for my internship. And no,” I continue. “I did not lie to you. I went to Colorado to do my internship with one of the most well-known professors in my field. However…” I trail off and look over at Chance.

“Please elaborate,” my mother insists, placing her elbows on the table and her chin on her intertwined fingers.

Something in her tone sounds off. Not that she’s particularly interested but more so, a mounting anger, and she’s requesting more information to fan the flames somehow.

“Well, Ashley contacted me.”

She turns to my father before turning back to me.

“Yes, go on,” my father says this time.

“She said she was going to Florida for a short trip. Then she called and left some weird voicemail on my phone. I became concerned when I didn’t hear from her after a few days. All of my calls went to voicemail. Eventually, her phone was turned off or something.”

I sit back and shrug.

“Anyway, I went to Florida to look for her.”

“Did you find her down there?” my father asks nonchalantly while placing his cloth napkin in his lap.

“No.”

I tell my parents that I asked around and even contacted local police. “I got a tip she might be in New Mexico,” I lie as I look over at Chance. “That’s how Chance and I met.”

I do my best to omit the details about shifters since Chance doesn’t want them to know about their existence.

Though, I honestly don’t see how their finding out isn’t inevitable.

“Which is why I was surprised when you told me she’s here. Do you know when she’ll return?”

The question falls from my lips at the same time the house staff comes out to retrieve the salad plates, despite the fact that none of us have touched our salads. A beat later, the main course of grilled chicken breast with some sort of bean puree on the side with capers is served.

I don’t give my plate a second glance as I wait for my parents’ response.

“We’re not sure when she’ll be home,” my mother says, wiping her mouth with her napkin, though she hasn’t eaten anything.

“Where is she?”

My body stiffens because the question doesn’t come from me. Chance’s deep, unshakable voice cracks through the air likethunder. The energy around the room shifts as Chance leans into the table, his gaze intent on my parents.

“W-who are you to ask about my daughter?” my father blusters.

“Father, he didn’t mean?—”

“It sounds a lot like he did mean something,” my mother interjects.

“No.” I shake my head. Things feel like they’re getting out of control. “It’s just that she’s also been acting strange. I’ve only spoken to her once in the time she’s been back home. Ash usually calls me every day. And then…” I pause and look over at Chance.

He’s still glaring at my father, who’s avoiding his gaze.

“When I did speak with her, she sounded odd.”