Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 77812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“We can’t assume bad intentions, my mate. Weren’t those the words you gave me at the bookstore?” I was fairly certain there were a variety of situations where bad intentions could be assumed, but he had been confident in his assertion.
“That’s not the point.” His whispered words stopped as Pierce approached our table, looking confused but recognizing me. “Daddy, this is my cousin Pierce.”
Making the correct greeting, I held out my hand. “It is good to meet you again.”
He looked appropriately suspicious.
Clearly he was just as smart as my mate.
“Good to meet you again.” Glancing back and forth between us, Pierce seemed to be processing the situation as we ate our breakfast. “Merritt has a meeting with the other medical people on the council. Do you mind if I join you guys? I don’t trust him alone in the diner.”
That was understandable.
“It’s no problem.” Ha. I used that correctly. “The diner men are already discussing toys not appropriate for public viewing, so your concern is warranted.”
Something about my statement must’ve been off because his focus became more intense. “They make questionable decisions.”
The way he glanced at Wren indicated he was also one to make questionable decision. However, it was unfortunately not the day to have implied that. My mate was being feisty as the diner men had learned when they tried to pat the birdie on his head.
“At least I’m not a tattletale.” He glared at Pierce, fierce and predatory…a bird of prey and not the prey. “Want to explain why my mother called at six this morning asking me about my behavior?”
Her interruption had been poorly timed.
Blinking, Pierce frowned making me think he was confused, but my mate disagreed with that based on his mental grumbling.
“Looking stupid isn’t going to get him out of this.”
“Well, that would explain mine texting me at seven wanting to know what was going on.” Pierce shrugged, not looking guilty. “I played dumb since I wasn’t sure what she was talking about and it didn’t seem to be about Merritt.”
Did him playing dumb earlier indicate he was doing it now?
“She wanted to know what kind of costume party I’d gone to and who I was with.” Wren was still highly upset about that topic, but Pierce did not seem to understand what was going on. “What did you tell her?”
If she’d told him he looked cute or any positive words, I don’t think he would’ve been as angry. Unfortunately, her wording and tone had been negative. My mate was an adorable squirrel and he resented not being able to explain that.
“Nothing.” Looking more awake and less distracted by who I was, Pierce studied the rest of the room. “I’ve been avoiding both of them and your mother stalks people better than mine. Someone else complained about you being a squirrel in public.”
“I don’t care what they think.” My mate’s voice went louder and angrier, but it may have just sounded that way because the rest of the room went silent, doing their best to overhear the council members discussing the portal trip. “I’m an adorable squirrel and he’s my mate.”
I couldn’t decide if Klynn was going to regret his decision to refuse to come to the diner or not.
This was not my problem to solve, but I took Wren’s hand under the table and was glad to see Pierce functioned well under pressure. “If someone tattled on you, I’m betting it’s that nosy woman across the street. Your mother probably used one of those map sites to figure out who to track down. She’s crazy but not stupid.”
Somehow, on Earth, intelligence and curious decision-making always went together.
“And how cute you were was probably lost in translation somewhere.” Pierce’s calm response had Wren’s anger lowering at a fast rate. He must’ve understood the danger had passed because Pierce looked more relaxed as well. “And you’re probably lucky all she told her was about you wearing a cute outfit.”
Glancing back and forth between us again, Pierce’s mind seemed to go back to his original topic. “She’s going to want to know that you found your mate and little details like where he’s from.”
Wren’s smile was dangerous and Pierce’s sigh said he knew it. “For fuck’s sake.”
If he was highly intelligent did that mean I needed to question his ability to make decisions as well?
“What country is he from?” Pierce was clearly working as fast as he could to understand my place but he was not coming up with the right details. “She’s going to have a cow if you leave the country.”
A cow?
Asking got an immediate explanation.
“It’s an expression that means she’s going to be irrationally upset and dramatic. I have no idea where it came from.”
Wren’s information was helpful but that seemed to always describe his mother, so I wasn’t sure it was accurate to our current situation. The giggles coming through our bond said he agreed with my thoughts on the subject, however.