Shadow Mate - Jen L. Grey Page 0,73

change that.” Tears streamed down my cheeks, but I didn’t give a damn. “It’s just a lot to process all at once, but I love you, and that will never change.”

His shoulders shook, and soon I felt warm drips of what had to be tears hit my shoulder. “I’m so damn lucky to have the two of you in my life.”

When I pulled back, my mom crossed her arms, rubbing her biceps soothingly. Her eyes were glued to the ground. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

“That’s why you didn’t want me to go.” I walked over to her and hugged her. “I get why you didn’t tell us, but I wish you had. Last summer would have been the perfect opportunity.”

“You’re right. I should’ve.” She hugged me tightly in her arms. “But I tried to do what I thought was right at the time.”

“I know.” They both gave Max and me everything. I couldn’t hold this against them.

Liam’s phone began to ring.

It had rung several times on the way here. His dad was blowing up his phone. The longer we waited, the worse it’d be. And honestly, the news was still sinking in. "I'm sorry. I have to go." I needed distance, to get away from it all.

"Don’t you have a few more minutes?" Mom reached for me, but Liam stepped in front with his back turned toward her, effectively blocking her.

"We can stay longer if you want." Liam shook his head and glanced around the house again.

“No, your Dad has been calling, and you need to get back to talk with him.” That was something he needed to do in person.

I leaned around Liam and smiled at my mother. “I’ll come back soon, but we have to get back to campus.”

She gave me a sad smile but nodded. Both Mom and Dad watched as we walked out the front door.

I hadn’t meant to hurt them. I just needed to know the truth, but now I realized ignorance was bliss.

As Liam took my hand and led me to the Escalade, I felt as if I couldn't feel my legs.

He opened my door and helped me inside, allowing me to break down. "What do you need for me to do?"

"I don't know." My whole world had crumbled in a matter of hours. No wonder she didn't want me to wear the necklace. She didn't want this all to come out.

He walked over to the driver’s side and climbed in. "Ready to go back to the Academy?"

I nodded my head. "But I don't want to let anyone else know." I hadn't even considered something like this would be my truth. "Promise me you won't tell a soul."

"Of course, I promise." He pulled out of the drive and turned back onto the road. "We have to be careful about how and when this information comes out."

"What do you mean? I just asked you not to share."

He reached over and took my hand in his, brushing his thumb gently against my skin. "It's not me we have to worry about. It's Kai's father."

I sucked in a huge breath. My mate was right. Kai’s dad must know what this could mean. He could ruin it all for me.

Chapter Twenty

Liam's phone kept ringing on the way home, so often that he wound up turning it off. As we pulled into Wolf Moon Academy, he took a deep breath and sighed. "I hate to do this, but I have to meet the others. Apparently, Micah and Simon ratted me out to our parents, so they are demanding to see me."

"Should I come with you?" I really wanted to be close to him after everything I had learned. I almost felt like I didn't know who I was any longer.

"No, they'll just take their anger out on you." He squeezed my hand that was still in his. "But I'll come back to your dorm when it's all said and done."

"Okay." I had to trust his judgment. It was the only way our relationship was going to work. But those people killed my father. Could they possibly kill their sons too? Surely not.

He pulled into a front spot, and we both climbed out of the car. He waited for me as I caught up to him, taking my hand again.

The sun was setting now that we’d finally made it here. The day had seemed like the longest short day ever. I wasn't sure if it should still be morning or late at night. My body felt drained, but