Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28144 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 141(@200wpm)___ 113(@250wpm)___ 94(@300wpm)
“For now, we’ll let you get back to your dinner,” Stone added, before slapping my back once more. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t,” I promised. In the past, it had been a little difficult being the seventh wheel in a group of happily mated shifters. But now that I’d found my own mate, I was excited to spend more time with my friends, and allow Tatum to grow close to them as well. I had a feeling that Dax and Rory would absolutely love him.
Tatum and Wren waved at one another before Stone led his mate to an empty table. I wasn’t sure if it was the one the hostess had chosen for them, but I was positive no one would tell the giant man to move.
“They were so nice,” Tatum said once we were alone again. “I hope I can meet everyone else soon. I’m excited to have friends! And I’m so excited for our camping trip!”
He absolutely melted my heart. “So am I, baby bear.” I soaked in his smile for a moment before realizing, “You better eat before your food gets cold. Would you like me to cut your steak?”
“Yes, please.”
I chopped his food into small pieces, and Tatum ended up eating nearly every bite on his plate. I cleared mine as well, so we didn’t have anything left to take home with us. I offered to buy him dessert, but he said his belly was way too full, and one more bite may cause it to pop.
So, I paid our bill and pulled out his chair. I rested my hand on his lower back and guided him towards the exit, but when we were several feet away, Tatum stopped in his tracks. I could smell fear rolling off of him.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, stepping in front of him to protect him from whatever had him spooked.
Instead of answering, Tatum sprinted out from behind me, down a long hallway. I stayed right on his heels, and followed him into the empty men’s room. He looked as if he’d seen a ghost; his face was pale and his eyes were watery.
“Tatum, what is it? What happened?” I took him into my arms, feeling him trembling against me.
“I saw my dad come in,” he answered quietly. “He was with a group of men he works with. I’m just…I’m not ready to see him. I’m sorry I ran; I didn’t want him to see me either.”
“It’s okay,” I soothed, rubbing circles over his back. “It’s just me and you. You don’t have to see him. You never have to be anywhere you feel unsafe. I’ve got you.”
His body sagged in relief against me. “Thank you, Daddy Bear.”
The door to the bathroom opened behind me, and when an unfamiliar voice asked, “Tatum?” my boy stiffened in my hold again. “What in hell are you doing? I taught you better than to be doing that shit in public.”
A small, shaky, “Daddy,” sounded against my chest, and I hugged my boy tighter, offering what comfort I could.
“For fuck’s sake,” Tatum’s father grumbled. “You’re too old to be calling me that. What’s wrong with you?”
I kissed Tatum’s head before turning around, keeping my boy tucked behind my back. I could see the family resemblance; his father was also lean and had a head full of curls, though he wore his slicked back with gel. And I’d never seen the scowl he wore on Tatum’s handsome face.
“He wasn’t talking to you,” I replied calmly, not wanting to frighten Tatum with another raised voice.
“You’ve got to be joking.” His scowl deepened. “This is disgusting.” He kept his eyes on me, though he addressed his son. “I knew you were too lazy and pathetic to support yourself, but I never thought you’d stoop so low as to become someone’s whore to get your bills paid.”
My restraint snapped, and I admittedly lost my shit. A low growl tore through me as I lunged at the man, pushing him against the wall, and pinning him there with a hand on his chest.
“Don’t you dare speak to him like that! The only pathetic one here is you. A father is supposed to love and nurture their child; you threw yours away. Tatum is sweet and kind - obviously nothing like you. You don’t deserve to be in his life. I give him what he needs. I am here for him now, and I always will be. If you ever try to hurt him, or even come near him, you’ll be dealing with me.”
Unfortunately, my threat didn’t sink into his thick skull. He only looked disgusted that I’d dared to speak to him. “Get your hands off me. You’ll be sorry for talking to me like that; I’m calling the cops.” Typical; he was taking no responsibility for his actions, and only blaming everyone else.