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Roan?”
    “Trust me when I say that if there was any way I could spare you from this, I would.” He took both her hands in his. “But they have kept this from you long enough.”
    Having no clue what it could possibly be, Rivera just nodded her head and went inside with a now fully dressed Roan. There was no use prolonging the inevitable. She was going to hear whatever bad news her parents had to impart whether she wanted to or not. Better to get it done and move on though. There were more important concerns that needed her attention. Like claiming her True Mate .
    Following her nose, she found her parents in the living room. They were seated together on the sofa, composed and outwardly calm. But Rivera could smell the tears and anxiety. Not good.
    “Mom, dad, you wanted to tell me something?”
    “Sit down, baby,” her father said, his voice unusually somber. “If you want to leave after, your mother and I will understand.”
    “Okay, you’re really starting to scare me now .” She took a seat in the armchair, Roan by her side.
    “We don’t mean too, Rivera, its just…” Her mother’s voice was soft and full of sadness.
    “Tell her. Now.” The power behind those words was strong and unexpected, but the stony expression on Roan’s face said clearly he would brook no refusal of his command.
    “Yes, Alpha.” Her father bowed his head then began to speak.
    When he was finished, Rivera wasn’t sure if she wanted to puke or run screaming back to the woods. She was pretty sure both were a possibility after the initial shock wore off.
    “Sweetheart?”
    She blinked, just then noticing that he was kneeling in front of her, ice blue eyes full of worry, their bond even more so. “I’m really half human, Roan?”
    He nodded.
    “Did…did you know about this? Before we met?”
    “No.” Those mahogany waves moved as he shook his head in the negative. “I was told moments before I came after you.”
    “Good. I…I don’t think I could have stood it if you had known before. I mean…I…”
    “Shh, sweetheart. I know exactly what you mean.” He drew her close, enfolding her into his warm embrace. “I swear I never would have kept such a thing from you.”
    She felt the truth of that and it helped. But not much. Pulling back, she gazed into those light eyes and nodded. Roan touched her cheek then helped her to her feet. She then faced her parents.
    “I want you both to know that I don’t hate you or despise you. But at this moment, I am no longer your daughter.”
    Her mother sucked in a harsh breath, her father paling visibly.
    “Rivera, please,” her mother begged.
    “No, no more.” She held up a hand that was surprisingly steady to forestall anymore pleas on their part. “You let me believe that everything was my fault. From the beginning when I stayed sick to when we all realized I’d probably never shift. All th ose tests and procedures. The poking and prodding, the sneers, the snide comments and being treated like a freak. I have been shunned all my life and you both knew why. You knew!” The last was said loud enough to rattle the windows. “My life was made hell because of your silence. I hope it was worth it.”
    Both of them merely watched her with tears in their eyes, the scent of sadness and despair surrounding them. Rivera was unmoved.
    “Do not call me, do not try to contact me in any way. When I am settled, I will send for my things. This will be the last time we speak, see each other, or I acknowledge you both in any way as my parents.”
    Before she could turn to leave, Ian spoke. After all she had heard, calling the man father, even in her head, was wrong.
    “Rivera, we never meant for you to be hurt, I swear. We just…we just wanted to have a family.”
    If it wasn’t for Roan’s hand lightly touching her arm, she would have gladly ripped Ian’s throat out. Not being able to shift didn’t mean she was weak in any way.
    “When you have children of your own, Rivera, you will