Rem flatly said, “I don’t know, Nia. It’s a lot to think about. If it’s true, then my whole world view shifts, and there’s enough of that already.”
Nia placed a hand on Rem’s back, and it was then that she conceded how starved of affection she was.
Nia said, “We’ll work through it, Rem. Ronan picked me, at least in his words, because I’ve been known to go out of my way for people. My mother gets on me for it, but I can see where it’d be helpful here. You need it. You’re not just a Silver; you could also become a Luna. If you need something, you just have to ask.”
Their gazes met, and the exchange was genuine and warm—a real connection. “Well, you’re a gem, Nia—”
Their attention was stolen when someone called them over, and even though Rem was nervous to get back on the road, she felt better now. She had been attacked, dragged through the dirt, a man threatened to violate her, and somehow, she felt better than when they first set off.
Was that truly how powerful a moment like this was? Was Remthatdeprived of affection and care, even if from a friend? It made her miss her mother.
Mother. Her parents relied on her to save Oliver. She could do this. If Nia could take on the challenge of proving herself as a Gamma, then Rem could prove that Oliver was in safe hands and make her gran proud.
They both walked over to a new truck; everyone seemed ready to go. The agony of Rem’s injuries settled in, and she was looking forward to sleeping in a bed later.
Rem paused as she watched a very stern female standing outside the truck that Nia led them to, while a younger version of the stern one entered. The younger one had chestnut colored hair and an injured leg, using the strength in her arms to get into the back.
"Who are they?" Rem asked quietly, leaning into Nia.
"The only women in Warden that Ronan would burn villages down for."
Rem raised her brows and frowned. "Well, that got serious fast."
"You don't mess with Ronan’s mother or his sister. Not even Jemma got that treatment."
That information distracted Rem, absorbed into the revelation that Ronan guarded a small select few in his life with such a fervor… And she would now be sitting right next to them. At the same time, a pang of annoyance resounded in her chest at hearing Jemma again, recalling how Nia brought her up at the hot spring.
Well, who in the hell is Jemma?
11
SITTING WITH HIS FAMILY
R E M
Six hours had passedsince they’d left the wreckage. The sun crested the sky and touched the horizon to create a golden glow that beckoned the night.
In the truck was Rem, Nia, Ronan’s mother and sister, and three others scrunched into the front. A large male, littered in scars, joined them as well. His name was Lothar, and he was a high-ranking Beta. Rem stared blankly at the imposing male from time to time. He remained quiet the entire ride, keeping his gaze out the window. Nia confirmed he didn’t speak English either.
The two Warden females conversed mostly in quiet Icelandic while Rem attempted to quell her anxiety about being inside one of these vehicles again.
Rem felt entirely out of place next to these two. They were formidable she-wolves who belonged to Ronan… And Rem? She was just the abducted human who was being offered as a potential mate to their son and brother, who had a gimp leg and dirty hair. It reminded her of her neighbor's cats. Chester was a beautiful, long-haired, gray cat with clear, golden orbs and a mane fit for royalty. And then there was Tim. Tim was missing half his ear, had mangy orange fur, and meowed like a smoker.
Rem was a Tim among Chesters.
"So, Rem, is it?" his mother questioned with no prompt, her voice thick with an accent.
Rem did a double take and stared at the female. She was an older version of her daughter, even down to the laugh lines around their lips, both of their eyes a pale, stark blue, like Ronan's. It was mostly the mother's hair, however, that gave away her age—white strands intermingling with the chestnut, a sagely aura about her. Sophisticated clothing only furthered the look, contrasted by her unkempt braids and tattoos on her right arm.
"Yes, ma'am," Rem cautiously replied.
"You're off to a rough start," his mother stated, slowly looking her over before adding, “given everything that has happened.”
"I've had better days," Rem replied, wanting to exude strength. “You speak English?”
"I've always told my children to learn the language of those underneath them. Only Olavi seemed to take to my advice. The rest don't care for it," she hummed, eyeing Rem with the same depth that Ronan bore. "What is your opinion on all of this?"
"All of what?"
