Page 21 of Adored By the Wolf

“I know, but I just have a sense about you two. Both of you are so caring. Plus, it wouldn’t hurt to have another friend, right?”

“Yes, it’s always good to have more friends.”

“Then we agree. Good,” she said in a satisfied voice. “So, did he buy anything while he was there?”

“He wanted to, but I stopped him.”

“Why? I thought your mom wanted everything sold.”

“Oh, she did. Very much so, but the painting Jacob wanted was one Dad had painted based on a recurring dream I have.”

“Then why in the world was it in the gallery?”

“I think Mom just grabbed everything that was in the closet and sent them on their way.”

“I see.” After a pause, Becca asked, “What are you not telling me, Millie?”

I sighed, the emotions I’d been trying to hide coming back to the forefront. “There was a mistake yesterday, and the painting got sold.”

“The one from your dream?”

“The very one.”

“I’m so sorry, Millie! Can you call the owner and explain the mix-up?”

“Lillian, the curator, called him, and I just got a text that the owner refused to return it.”

“Millie, that’s awful. Is there anything I can help you with?”

I suddenly wanted to get away from it all; to not think about my problems for a while. It was time I became more like Lira—someone who cared more about myself and less about others. “Actually, would you have space for me to visit for a night? It’s totally okay for you to say no. I don’t want to intrude. I just thought—”

“That would be fantastic! Of course, you can come, and we have plenty of space for you. You can even have your own apartment in the family complex. It’s where Jill lived when she first moved here. Oh, this will be excellent!”

“You sure that it’s okay? I really don’t want to intrude.”

“Of course, I am! It’ll be perfect. You’ll be close by, and we’ll use my wedding to distract you from this painting ordeal.”

I sighed. Becca was such a good friend. Why couldn’t Lira be more like her? “That sounds wonderful, Becca. Thank you.”

“I’ll expect you to come by tonight for dinner. How does that sound?”

“Fantastic. I’ll see you then.”

Jacob

I heardbees buzzing around my head, and I tried to shake them away. But the more I shook, the more I got dizzy and felt like I was going to fall over. Something caught me, though, and grounded me into the here and now. The buzzing noise slowly started forming into words, and I started catching familiar terms here and there.

“How . . . is he . . . tonic . . . causing personality changes. It’s early to say, but it seems unmated shifters are more susceptible than those who have found their mates.”

Miti. I took a deep sniff, which validated that I was in Miti’s home. The smell of herbs and fire permeated the air, and I started coughing.

“Looks like he’s finally awake,” Dad said.

“Don’t be hard on him, Theo,” Mom said. I felt her hand rubbing the back of one of mine. “Jacob, honey? Are you there?”

I groaned in response. My whole body felt sluggish and bruised. What happened? Why was I here? Prying my eyelids open proved harder than I thought.

“Dim the lights,” Mom said. “I want him to open his eyes so I can see for myself that he’s okay.”