Havoc's Mate (Badlands Territory #2) - Lila Rose Page 0,14

defeated, sleep seriously trying to kick my ass.

“That’s a good idea. Sleep well, Cora.” She pressed a kiss to my cheek, which I returned before she walked from my bedroom, closing the door behind me.

Another howl echoed through the night. My heart felt heavy. I worried it was Jackson for some reason. I didn’t like that sad howl coming from him.

Shaking my head, because I was probably overreacting, I unpacked my bag, got in my pajamas, and slipped under my covers.

Did I take the chance and go to work with Jackson after reacting the way I had?

I wasn’t sure, but I hoped I’d have an answer by morning.

“Morning, honey,” Mom called as she pulled the blinds open, the sunshine searing through my closed lids. I tugged the blanket up over my head. “Nope, none of that. It’s time to get up,” Mom said, taking the blanket off me.

Sighing, I rolled to my back. “Mom, I didn’t get much sleep.”

“That’s okay. You can catch up tonight. But Alton will be here in half an hour to pick you up for work.”

I sat up quickly, my pulse racing. “What did you do?”

“He dropped by last night after you were sleeping, and I said you’d like to give the job a go.”

I scrambled to stand. “Jesus, Mom. I didn’t even know myself if I was going to take it. You can’t just interfere when it’s my business, my life.”

“Pfft. I’m your mother.”

“You are, but this is my life. I get to pick how I want it to go.”

She stilled, faced me, and nodded. “You’re right. I promise not to interfere again, but… you’ll at least have to go today so I don’t look like a liar. We can tell Alton that it’s a trial run to see if you like it.”

Clenching my fists, I released a growl and stomped to the wardrobe to grab some clothes. Mom whistled some tune on her way out while I ran around getting ready for my first day of work alongside Jackson.

Yeah, my heart wasn’t going to slow down anytime soon.

After dressing in a white shirt and a knee-length black skirt, I slipped on some black heels and made my way downstairs while tying my hair up in a ponytail.

I made my way into the kitchen, where Mom already had a coffee waiting for me. I took a sip and grabbed some cereal to scarf down before Alton arrived.

When the knock sounded on the door, I nearly crapped myself.

“Come in,” Mom called.

I took my bowl and mug to the sink and rinsed them. God, I was full of nerves to a point my hands wouldn’t quit shaking. I was going to work for a shifter. A real-life shifter.

“Morning, Cora,” Alton called.

“Morning,” I replied, turning from the sink. I gripped the edge behind me. Alton was a shifter also, and Jackson had called him beta. From my Google searches the previous night, I knew it meant Alton was second in charge. I could see why Jackson picked him; he was the opposite of Jackson—light and sweet. Where Jackson was dark and broody.

“Are you okay?” he asked gently.

I shrugged, blew out a breath, and shrugged again.

He smiled. “Well, at least you didn’t run away. I’m sure it was a big surprise to learn about shifters.”

I nodded. “It was.”

“I promise, Cora, you’re safe with us.”

A little of the tension shifted. Glancing at Mom, I said, “I’ll see you this afternoon.”

“I’ll be here. Have a good day.” She smiled, I glared, and Alton smirked.

I went to the door and headed outside, knowing Alton would be following. At the car, he asked, “I guess you didn’t know your mom agreed to you working until this morning?”

“No, I didn’t.”

He hummed, unlocking the car, and before he could reach for my door, I opened it and got in. I saw him chuckling as he walked around the car and slipped into the driver seat. “Wouldn’t that tell you that she at least trusts us?”

Yes, it would. But why was she ready to trust them?

“I… just need time.”

“I get it. I do.” We started driving. “Do you know what type of shifters the Havoc pack are?”

I snorted. “Since one shifted right in front of me, I guessed wolf.”

He grinned. “You guessed right.” He glanced down at my legs, and I noticed my knee bouncing from nerves. I quickly stopped the movement. “It’s okay to be nervous. This is new. All I can keep telling you is that none of us would ever harm you. Kathy