Beth pushed a lock of sweaty hair out of her face and blew out a breath. Clearly she'd put this talk off as long as she could, and Joanna wasn't going to let her get away with avoiding it any longer. She sat on the bed and patted the spot beside her, and finally Joanna came to sit down.
"This town is named Silvercoast, and I grew up here," Beth said.
"Does that mean everyone here are wolves just like us? Is this your pack?"
"Not everyone is a wolf shifter, but most are, yes. And they are notmypack, they'reourpack. At least, they should be. I don't know if they'll let us back in."
"Why wouldn't they? Is that what you were arguing about in the town hall?"
Beth sighed. "No, that's not what we were arguing about."
"Then what were you arguing about? I don't get it, mom. I don't getanyof this. Why would you ever leave a place like this? Surrounded by wolves like us, people who should support you, have your back, and understand what it's like? There aren't any secrets here! I've seen the wolves shift freely in the streets! This is is what I've wanted my whole life. Why would you choose to leave? To take me away from this place?"
"Jo, it's a long story, I don't know if I have the energy to explain everything right now. It's been a trying day."
"Atryingday? Mom, you told me we were in danger and rushed us out of the city to bring us to the middle of nowhere! I deserve an explanation—"
"I know you do, I'm not saying you don't, I'm justtired—"
"I'm tired too! And I'm sure not going to get any rest until I know what's going on here. So please, mom, let me hear it from you and not some stranger on the street."
Beth covered her face with her hands and groaned. "It's not that I don't want to tell you, Jo, it's just ..."
How could she explain to her daughter that she was emotionally exhausted after being rejected by her mate, the father Joanna had never known? There weren't words for the agony, the pain that had been building up in the back of Beth's heart over the past few hours.
"I don't care if it's long. I have time.Wehave time," Joanna said. "I take it we're not going anywhere until there's a verdict about whatever you were arguing about. So are you going to tell me, or not?"
Beth looked at her beautiful, determined daughter, smarter and wiser far beyond her years because she had to be. Without a father, she had grown up strong and hard, borderline cynical at times. She could handle the truth—most of it at least.
So Beth explained what she could bear to.
She told Joanna about how the goblins had robbed her of precious memories, leaving behind nothing but pain and a lingering sense of loss. How she'd run from this town when Joanna had yet been born, all to make a new life elsewhere because of it. As Beth spoke, she could see the shock and disbelief on Joanna's face.
"You mean magic is real too? And monsters?" Joanna said. Before Beth could answer, Joanna added, "Wait ... if you were pregnant with me before you left Silvercoast, doesn't that mean my father is here? Who is he? Can I meet him?"
Beth wiped the tears from her eyes. "Yes, he's here, but it's not a good time to meet him, Jo. I need to talk to him first. And there's this whole mess with the goblins—it's better to make sure that the town is safe."
"I've been waiting my whole life for you to tell me who my father is, and you think I'm going to wait another day, or two, or who knows how long until you decide to tell me?" Joanna stood from the bed, laughing deliriously. "Not a chance, mom. Tell me who he is. I need to meet him."
"You're not listening to me! I don't want to keep you from him, but he doesn't know you exist. I need to tell him first. Please, Joanna, I promise it will only take another day or two, and then I'll make sure you meet him."
Joanna crossed her arms, her narrow eyes cutting Beth to the core. It seemed like she was considering Beth's pleas, and she continued to silently beg that Joanna would let this slide for a little while. Beth couldn't have Joanna stomping around town demanding to know who her father was before Beth had even had a chance to talk to Ken.
She didn't want to imagine the hell he would rain down on her if he found out that he had a kid from anyone other than Beth. Would he ever talk to her again? They were already on unsteady ground as it was, and pushing to try and talk to him so soon already seemed like a risk.
But then Joanna's expression changed into one of pure scorn. "No, mom, you had your chance. I'm going to find out who he is on my own."
She made to stomp out of the room, but Beth grabbed Joanna's arm to stop her. "No, Jo, you can't—"
Joanna snarled. "Let go of me! You can't stop me from finding the truth! You've kept it from me for long enough already!"
Energy twirled around Joanna as she used her wolf strength to twist out of Beth's grip. Before Beth had the chance to use her wolf strength to stop her, Joanna was already halfway out of the room.
Beth cursed and trailed after her. "Jo! Jo, get back here right this instant! I'm not done talking to you!"
"NO!" she screamed. "I don't care, I'm done!"
Then she slammed the front door and was gone.