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lost weight, wouldn t eat, and snapped at everyone. I had to provoke him into a fist fight before he
started to feel better. Of course I won, he said, smiling down at Rebecca. She gave him a watery
smile back.
No wonder he is having a hard time accepting me for a mate, she said. Liam saw her eyes
start to tear up again.
I would love to keep you for myself, kitten, but I know you ll be happier with your grumpy-ass
bear, he said jokingly, desperate to keep the waterworks at bay.
He is grumpy, isn t he? she said and smiled.
Now, how about I show you around our fair town? We have a killer ice cream parlor, and don t
get me started on Nic s frappes. He wagged his eyebrows.
How come you re not mated? she asked. He was gorgeous, witty, charming, and considerate.
Everything a woman could want. He smiled sadly.
Because Fate has yet to give me one. They were about to walk away when they heard a tiny
mewl. Rebecca s head swung back to the alley. She went to step forward, but Liam stopped her by
stepping in front of her. They walked to the back of the alley. Rebecca gasped and Liam turned
quickly. She had bent down and picked up a small and bedraggled cat. She hugged the cat close.
Look at the poor thing! It must be freezing out here, she said. Liam eyeballed the small animal.
What are you going to do with it? he asked.
Take care of it, of course! It doesn t have any family or a home. He saw her eyes start to water
and realized that this was how Rebecca saw herself. He smiled, and reached forward to pet the small
creature. It surprised him when it turned its head into his hand and purred loudly. Rebecca lifted it up
and checked near the back legs.
It s a boy cat! she announced happily and nuzzled it. Okay, his name will be& She trailed
off, looking the little face over as it stared up at her.
Sebastian, Liam supplied.
That was quick, what made you think of Sebastian for a name? she asked.
I don t know, it just sort of popped in my head. Doesn t he look like a Sebastian? he asked.
Yes he does. Do you hear that, little one? Your name is Sebastian. Do you think he would like
some ice cream? she asked.
I think he d love some. Liam laughed.
Let s go! Rebecca bounced out of the alley then realized she didn t know where she was going
and turned to face Liam. He laughed and walked up, looping his arm in hers.
Onward to ice cream, he said.
* * * *
Sit down son, Ma said when they reached her office, which was located in the back of the
diner past the kitchen. Aleks sat with his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands. She looked
over and the lecture she was about to give him died on her lips.
Do you want to finally tell me what happened in Raleigh? she asked softly. He lifted his head
and met her eyes.
It was a bad case, Ma. The poor girl was torn up horribly. I had nightmares for months. I just
couldn t shake it. He looked down and stared at his hands. She walked over and firmly cuffed him in
the back of the head. He looked up, shocked. She thought about it and then cuffed him again.
Ma! he exclaimed. When he brought his head back up she had tears in her eyes.
What have your Pa and I done that made you feel like you couldn t come to us after a trauma
like that? she asked.
Nothing! Ma, you and Pa are the best parents a guy could ask for. I felt like if I talked about it
when I was here it would follow me. I should have been able to handle that on my own, he said. He
ducked when she reached out to cuff him again.
You have a family that loves you and would fight and die to keep you safe and happy! Do you
know how much it hurt us to see you suffering and we couldn t do anything about it? It felt like you
didn t trust us to help, she said.
It wasn t like that, he said, shaking his head then he sighed.
You re mad at me, and I ve probably ruined any chance I have with Rebecca. Maybe she
would be better off with Liam, he said. His head jerked forward as her hand came down on the back
of his head.
Ma! He rubbed the back of his head.
Don t be dramatic, Aleksander. Of course you are clearly the better choice than that cat. All my
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