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Chapter 3

Author: Hyacinth
Adrian tried to catch my chin.

“What's this face?”

Once, that touch would have undone my anger before I'd worked out whether I wanted it to. Tonight, I felt only his thumb against my skin.

“Lily seems to get rewards for breathing.”

His hand stopped.

“She has a new piano. A tablet. Apparently, the best daddy in the world.”

He stood so abruptly the cushion shifted beneath me.

“Why are you comparing our son to someone else's child?”

“I'm comparing what you say with what you do.”

“For God's sake, Mara. Do we have to turn one forgotten present into a trial?” His voice carried the edge he used in council. “Is Finn upset, or are you?”

I looked at him.

He held my gaze for a few seconds, then looked away.

“All right.” He exhaled. “His birthday's in two days. I'll do something special. A real surprise. Happy?”

“Will you be here?”

“Of course.”

He said it too easily.

“Now stop worrying. Get ready for Norway. I arranged the whole thing so you could relax.”

As though I were being difficult about a gift.

I went to the study and called Leah's lawyer.

The next morning, Vanessa arrived early for the council meeting.

She wore red.

Before I could begin my report, she leaned forward.

“Someone will need to cover Mara's responsibilities while she's away. I'd be happy to step in.”

Silence settled over the table.

My office managed trade, accounts and the agreements that kept six neighboring packs from tearing up our borders. A week of leave did not require a new head of operations. My deputies already knew the schedule.

The elders looked at Adrian.

He laid his pen down.

“Vanessa will take over for the week.”

My Beta looked at me. I could see the question in his face.

Adrian continued, “Mara needs a proper break. I don't want anyone bothering her with routine decisions.”

Vanessa's smile widened.

“You don't think I'm trying to take your place, do you?”

She said it sweetly enough to make answering seem petty.

I closed my folder.

“No. Go ahead.”

Someone shifted in a chair. Adrian's shoulders relaxed.

He had been ready for a fight. My agreement pleased him so much he missed the fact that I hadn't asked what would be waiting when I came back.

I left the meeting.

He caught up with me in the corridor and took my arm.

“Mara. Don't do that.”

“Do what?”

“Walk out and make everyone think there's a problem.”

“Was there something else you needed from me?”

He glanced toward the council room, then lowered his voice.

“Vanessa needs a chance. She has ideas. Energy. I can't keep her in a token position forever.”

“So you gave her mine.”

“Temporarily.” He pulled me against his chest, as if closeness could settle an argument he hadn't answered. “When you're back, I'll make you deputy chair of the council. You'll be above all this daily paperwork.”

There was no deputy chair in Blackthorn's charter.

Another gift promised for later.

“I've spent ten years making things easier for you,” I said.

“I know.” He kissed my hair. “And that's why this works. You understand me.”

He squeezed my shoulder, already turning back to the meeting.

“Don't overthink it, sweetheart. You're my Luna. Where else would you be?”

I watched him go.

He truly didn't want an answer.
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  • His First Love, His Last Chance   Chapter 10

    “I had someone look into why you came back,” Adrian said.Vanessa folded her arms.“And?”“Your husband threw you out after the affair. That's why you left his territory. You didn't spend ten years missing me.”“People say things.”“And Lily.”Vanessa went still.He didn't have proof about the child. Not yet. Only that frightened glance toward the sofa, and the way every tender moment seemed to happen exactly when Vanessa needed it.“She isn't your daughter, is she?”“Of course she is.”“Then you won't mind my Beta checking the records.”Her mouth opened. Closed.That was answer enough for him.“You brought a child into this?”“It wasn't like that.”“What was it like?”“She does acting work. Her guardian agreed. It was supposed to be temporary.” Vanessa's voice rose. “You liked having her here. You were happy.”Adrian looked toward the stairs.He thought of Finn asking for one small truck. Finn learning that silence could be bought, then discovering his father hadn't even intended to p

  • His First Love, His Last Chance   Chapter 9

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    The line went silent.“His what?”“Did he mention the gifts he bought Lily while telling Finn that wanting a toy made him weak? Or the truck he offered our son in exchange for keeping his secret?”“Mara—”“Did he tell you where he was on Finn's birthday?”Magnus didn't interrupt again.I told him everything. The false account. The holiday. My job given away in front of the council. The shares.When I finished, I could hear him breathing.“That was wrong,” he said at last.“Yes.”“But he's my son.”“I know.”“I can't simply leave him like this.” His tone softened into something he probably meant as kindness. “Think about what you're giving up. You have a child. A new country. No standing there. How will you manage without Blackthorn?”I looked at the contract on my kitchen table. My name appeared beside the word Partner.“I've already started.”“Started what?”“A business. With people who value my work.”“You needn't make this harder on yourself to prove a point.”“I'm not proving anyth

  • His First Love, His Last Chance   Chapter 7

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  • His First Love, His Last Chance   Chapter 6

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  • His First Love, His Last Chance   Chapter 5

    “My mark is disappearing!”For a moment, he sounded genuinely shocked.I looked at my son. He was carefully coloring outside the lines, making the wolf’s fur bigger.“I’m leaving you, Adrian.”“Don’t be ridiculous.” Denial came fast. “I’ve been working all week. Did you not see my posts? I go home, I fall into bed, and you can’t even send a message.”“You’ve been home every night?”“Yes.”“Then how did you miss the separation papers on the dining table?”Nothing.Not even the sound of him breathing.“Mara.”I turned to the witness. She nodded once.“The renunciation has already been entered into the bond ledger,” I said. “And as of today, I resign as Luna of the Blackthorn Pack.”The fading mark beneath my collar burned as the final thread of our bond unraveled.Adrian made a choked sound.“No. You can’t—”The witness stated her name, her office and the time, formally closing the record.I pressed my palm flat against the table and let the pain pass through me.My wolf shuddered. Then

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