Chapter 3

The next day, I went back to the gallery to hand over my work.

James sought me out and handed me a beautifully wrapped black-and-gold box.

"Finn's birthday present. I forgot to give it to him yesterday."

I paused, took it, and opened it.

It was a ruby carved in the shape of an eagle.

An eagle—the one thing my son was terrified of.

When Finn was five, James took him to patrol the territory. Halfway through, James ran into an old acquaintance and let go of Finn's hand.

My little boy got lost in the woods. When he was finally found, he was cowering under a tree, trembling in fear of a hawk circling above him.

Since then, birds of prey had been his worst nightmare.

And the man responsible for that trauma was giving him one as a gift.

I didn't know if I was more angry or disappointed. I casually set the box aside.

"Thanks," I said, my voice completely flat.

James gave me a weird look, then remembered something else.

"Elsa's coffin is broken. I'm letting her stay in the master bedroom for now."

"Take the day off. Go home, pack a bag, and take Finn to the city apartment for a few days."

His words landed like a sledgehammer against my chest.

I stared at him in disbelief. "Are you saying you're kicking me and your son out for Elsa?"

James frowned. "Don't make it sound so ugly. It's just temporary."

"Since we agreed to keep the Blood Bond a secret, we need to keep our distance in front of the clan."

I smiled. God, it was ironic.

Was it really for the clan? Or did he just feel that a mate and a son were getting in the way of his new romance?

I looked away, sick of the sight of him.

"Understood. I'll pack and get my son out of your hair immediately. We won't be a bother."

I was leaving anyway. A few days early didn't matter.

James seemed stunned by how easily I agreed.

He opened his mouth, his tone softening slightly. "I'll give you a few famous paintings to make up for it."

I didn't look up. I just stayed silent.

The damage was done. No amount of compensation could cover it up.

When I got back to the estate, I packed our bags and took Finn to the door.

Just as I pushed it open, I ran straight into James walking in with Elsa.

He was ordering the blood thralls to bring her luggage in. Looking at the bags piling up in the grand hall, I thought to myself: Temporary? It looked like she was moving in for good.

When our eyes met, I clearly caught a flash of panic in his gaze.

Elsa let out a surprised gasp. "Ms. Marlene? What are you doing in the Prince's estate?"

I immediately pulled my son behind me, shielding him from her view.

"I..."

"She's just a clan member who needed a favor. We were just discussing business."

James cut me off before I could even start.

My hands balled into fists.

It wasn't the first time he’d denied us. But every single time, it felt like a knife to the heart.

I was about to speak, but Finn beat me to it.

"Good day, Your Highness."

I snapped my head around, only to see my son's red, teary eyes.

"Mom, let's go."

Every word I wanted to say died in my throat. I forced a small smile. "Okay."

As we brushed past him, James grabbed my arm.