“I didn’t think she would. She’s got a strong personality, you know,” Delilah said.
“That’s part of her charm. Just like you,” Janie answered.
“It is, isn’t it? How nice of you to say so.”
Janie nodded, but it was clear she was still not herself.
Delilah turned on Janie, intentionally stepping into her personal space. “So, tell me why you lied to Bane.”
“What?” Janie asked. “I didn’t lie.”
“You weren’t truthful, either. I scented a bit of deception. You’re not okay, but you didn’t want to tell him.”
“I’m okay. I promise.”
Delilah regarded her for a few moments, and Janie stared directly into Delilah’s eyes, giving her the opportunity to determine for herself that she wasn’t lying.
“Fine. Then who isn’t alright? What is keeping you from feeling settled. You said today is the first time you’ve envied being a shifter able to defend your child. Why would you say that?” Delilah asked.
“I’m not sure.”
“You’re confusing me, Janie.”
Janie walked a few steps away, then all of a sudden turned and faced Delilah, deciding to just let out everything she’d beenholding in. “I think someone hurt Daisy, and I wish I could find out who and track them down and make them pay.”
Delilah’s brows raised and she straightened her back a little. “Oh, really. Tell me…”
“I can’t. She won’t tell me, and she obviously doesn’t want any of our generation to know anything at all if there is something. But she’s obviously been nursing wounds that aren’t physical. She’s got no interest in completing her degree though it’s only a few classes that she needs, and while she’s not as outgoing as some of the others, she’s never been one to hide herself away, and that’s exactly what I think she’s been doing.”
“Who does know what’s happened?” Delilah asked.
“I’m not sure. I know all of Brandt’s clan know something’s off, but I’m not sure that any of them really know what’s going on. I do know that Analise spent a lot of time with her before she and Havoc worked everything out, and she seems to be a little better at least, but maybe Analise knows. Maybe I’m just being an overprotective mother and Daisy is just burned out and needs a place to make a soft landing and regroup. I don’t know,” Janie said, falling tiredly into the deck chair behind her.
“Well, seems to me there’s only one thing to do,” Delilah said.
“What’s that?”
“We have to figure out what’s happened so that we can figure out who we need to kill.”
“Delilah!” Janie exclaimed.
“What? You said you envied shifters because they could get revenge on those who hurt their children. You’re not a shifter. I am. We’ll work together on this.”
“What if she gets upset that we’re pressing her on it? I don’t want her any more stressed than she has been. She’s finally beginning to smile again.And not just that, none of them are really including us in their issues anymore.”
“I know,” Delilah said. “It’s very hard to sit on the sideline after so many years of mothering. But, we can find a way that she’ll never know.”
“And it’s not just that. I’m afraid if someone did intentionally hurt her, Brandt will demand to handle it. And he’ll get upset if we go around him. So that’s another problem,” Janie said. “Not only is he her brother, he’s her Alpha.”
“I see the problem. And while I do love and admire Brandt, he is her brother and Alpha; he’s neither to me. My own Alpha knows better than to try to corral me.”
“That is true,” Janie said, thinking of all the times Kaid and Delilah had gotten into it over something she wanted to do and he didn’t want her to do.
The door opened and Valerie stepped outside. “What are y’all talking about?”
“Avenging our children when they’ve been hurt,” Delilah said with a smile.
“Not necessarily. We’re also talking about how to know when our children are hurt, or even need us at all since they don’t tell us anything anymore.”
