The Beta Who Bought Me

Chapter 20 - Coffee and Chat

As soon as she was sure they were safe from the sensitive hearing of the male wolves, Laurel scooped Wendy up in another tight embrace. “Oh my gods, Wendy! I’m so glad to see you! Are you okay? Is he treating you well? If he’s hurting you, you can tell me!” Her face was scrunched up with worry as she spoke hastily but quietly into her ear.

Wendy chuckled lightly at her friend’s rapid-fire questions as she pulled out of Laurel’s hold. “Of course I’m okay!” She smiled happily at her, placing both of her hands on Laurel’s upper arms and rubbing gently to try to soothe her obvious concern.

Laurel c****d an eyebrow at her. This was the girl who was shrieking when they brought her in for the first time and cried all the way to the Appraisal. There’s no way she is just “OK” with the situation now!

Laurel brought her voice almost imperceptibly low. “Wendy,” she eyed her seriously, “if he is threatening you or something, please tell me. I will find a way to get you to safety!” Having helped others escape abusive situations with the Twisting Rivers Pack, Laurel knew ways of helping others get out of bad situations. She also knew the victims were quite good at hiding the problems they were facing.

“I am serious, Laurel; I’m just fine!” Wendy was still smiling brightly, and Laurel stood there slack-jawed in disbelief. This didn’t seem like denial but genuine happiness.

“But how?” She asked incredulously. “I saw that guy come get you the night of the Appraisal, and he was downright creepy!”

“I’m sorry if he gave you that impression, but Charles is actually quite a gentle person! He gave me my own private room on the second floor, brand new clothes, and he hasn’t pushed me for anything sketchy. He treats me practically like a queen! And the most he has done with me was a quick kiss like you saw in the foyer - with my consent, of course.” Wendy was blushing again and looking dreamily into space like a love-struck teenager. “Not that I would mind if he did more…” she added with a flirtatious giggle.

Laurel could not believe how in love Wendy already appeared to be with this man who she barely knew.

“I know you must think I sound crazy,” Wendy walked over to the coffee machine and began to prepare a few cups. “I promise you that nothing bad is going on.” She placed both of her hands on the counter and paused with her back still turned to Laurel. “Plus, the man has been through so much already,” she said sadly.

“What do you mean?” Her words sparked Laurel’s interest, and she walked to stand next to her friend at the counter. Wendy turned to look at her with unshed tears making her eyes glisten. “He lost his first mate. A fated one. She died in childbirth. There were twins. And one didn’t make it. A little girl.” A single tear rolled down the side of her face as she met her friend’s purple eyes. Laurel reached out to catch it before it fell from her cheek. “And he has been raising the other child - his son - alone for the past three years. He’s a great father, Laurel. No man like that would ever hurt someone else knowingly.”

Laurel’s chest welled up with emotion now. It sounded like she had seriously misjudged this man. He had been through immeasurable heartache in the past.

“He said I am his second-chance mate, Laurel.” Wendy’s amber eyes became serious. “I know I haven’t shifted yet, but I feel that he’s telling the truth. There’s some connection there that goes deeper than just mere attraction.”

That was a feeling Laurel understood. From the moment she met Owen, there was something about him that just drew her to him. Sure, he was handsome with a god-like physique and sharp masculine features, but on an emotional level, there was something stirring inside her that kept pulling at her heart. They might not have gotten along perfectly so far, but it was still clearly there - at least for her. She was getting increasingly desperate to find out what that something was and to find out if it was something Owen was feeling as well.

Wendy poured two cups of coffee in silence and handed one to Laurel. Small footsteps plodded into the kitchen as Laurel took a long sip of the bitter drink.

“Wenny?” A little voice piped.