The host brought us over to our table where a middle-aged blonde woman was sitting with a young, sinewy man with brown hair, whom I noted was quite handsome and was familiar somehow, like I’d seen him before. The woman got up and ran to Ivy, engulfing her in a hug. “Oh my goodness, Ivy, you haven’t aged a day!”
“You either, Katie. You look just as gorgeous as ever,” she replied. Ivy separated from the hug, pulling me over. “This is Drew’s daughter, Jasmine. Isn’t she so big now?”
Katie studied me. “She looks so much like him. But her eyes are definitely her mother’s.”
Ivy then went to grab for her son but stopped. Jack and Tyler were both standing, eyes locked on each other. The three of us looked between them.
Finally, Jack said, “Mate.”
Tyler spoke next and said the same thing.
It was silent as we all stared and then Ivy burst into tears. “My son found his mate!” she shouted. She brought Jack in for a hug and moved to Tyler, pulling him in too. “Welcome to the family, Tyler.”
“I can’t believe this.” Katie’s eyes welled up as she put her hands to her mouth. “Tyler, reunited with two long-lost connections today.”
“Come on, let’s sit, everyone!” Ivy corralled everyone and got us into our seats. “This calls for a bottle of champagne.” But then she looked between the two of them for a moment and frowned, wrinkling her brows.
“Don’t worry, Jack. Our pack’s very open-minded, and you’ll be welcome.” Katie smiled at him.
Ivy suddenly looked stricken. “No, Katie! Jack can stay at our pack. He’s good friends with our alpha and he won’t banish him.”
“Yes, but mindsets take longer to change than laws. You should know that!” Katie argued back. “Jack will feel right at home in our pack.”
“Stop! Mom, we just found each other! We can decide where we’ll live later,” Tyler said, ending the argument.
“Yes, yes, let’s have a nice meal,” Katie agreed.
A waiter came over to take our drink orders. Ivy ordered champagne for the table. The waiter carded everyone, so I didn’t get a glass. He brought me apple juice in a champagne flute instead.
It’s too bad Luke isn’t here, I thought to myself.I could use the alcohol. A sharp pain pierced through me. I did my best not to wince.
After all our orders were taken, Ivy spoke. “I’m very excited to be reunited with my good friend Katie today.” She smiled at Katie and clinked her glass against hers, then continued, “We were best friends when we were in high school, much like Jasmine and my daughter Lucy, who is not here today. Katie and Tyler, you’ll meet her tomorrow at Thanksgiving dinner.”
“Great, I’m looking forward to meeting all your children tomorrow.” Katie smiled.
“There’s quite a lot of them.” Ivy chuckled. “Anyway, when we were in high school, my good friend Katie here had a boyfriend, much like my Lucy. And Tyler here resulted from that relationship. So, something good came out of it. But I’d like you, Katie, to tell Jasmine more about your former high school boyfriend.”
Katie cleared her throat and said, “Well, Jasmine, this may be a bit of a shock, but Tyler’s actually your half brother.”
I practically choked on my apple juice. Both Jack and I stared at Katie.
“What!” Jack exclaimed. “Jasmine’s uptight father knocked someone up in high school?”
Katie laughed. “Drew, uptight? I mean, his parents, yes.”
Ivy joined in laughter. “He’s changed quite a lot since you knew him. I think it’s his mate.”
“To be honest, he had already changed significantly before I left. I shouldn’t be too surprised.”
I felt a pain in my chest, and my lungs contracting, not able to speak. Suddenly everyone was looking at me.
“Are you okay, Jasmine?” Ivy and Jack spoke at the same time.
“Sorry, this is quite a lot, isn’t it?” Katie asked.
“Will you be okay, Jasmine? Do you need to get some fresh air?” Ivy looked at me, concern on her face.
“Here, I’ll take her outside.” Tyler got up, putting his arm out to me. “I’m sure it’s a lot to learn you have a secret half brother and you probably have a lot of questions.”