LOGINHis voice was soft when he asked, “Are you mad at Daddy?”My breath caught.I didn’t answer right away. I just held him tighter, brushing my lips against the top of his head, breathing in the familiar scent of shampoo and dreams.“No, baby,” I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper. “Just sad
ELENAHe said it. Just like that."Because I was a coward."And for a moment, I didn’t breathe. Didn’t blink. I just stared at him, this towering Alpha, folded in on himself like the weight of everything he’d done was finally more than he could bear.It wasn’t what I expected. It wasn’t defensive. I
DEREKI was more nervous than I had ever been in my entire life.And that included some truly horrible moments. Moments when life and death had been in the balance.Worse than when Aiden had been in the hospital, his little body limp and pale against white sheets, machines screaming at me that I mig
ELENA"I’m strong enough to travel," I said.The words came out firmer than I expected. My voice still felt like it didn’t quite belong to me—too quiet, too dry—but I forced strength into it anyway.My mother narrowed her eyes at me across the hospital room, arms folded, posture stiff with tension.
ELENAThe first thing I felt was cold.Not the kind of cold that settled into your bones. Not the chill of snow or wind. It was sterile, dry, antiseptic. The kind of cold that came from machines humming, filtered air, fluorescent lights. A hospital.I blinked slowly, and the world came into focus in
DEREKToday was going well.Which, lately, felt like a miracle.The meeting room was warm with early sunlight, and the Stormfang delegation finally looked less like they wanted to skin me and more like they might—possibly—listen. The Icelandic pack had been guarded since our arrival, especially with
ELENAThere was terrible art on the walls—beige and pastel expressionist reproductions that were meant to soothe. I did not find them soothing. I sat stiffly in the reclining chair, the soft hum of the lights above us barely registering in my ears.Another session. Another attempt to unlock the past
ELENAMy pulse quickened as I turned slightly, catching sight of her standing just a few feet away, her back to me. Caroline was with her, nodding along.I remained still, my heart thudding in my chest. Whatever Cassandra was scheming, I needed to be ready.I should have left.I should have taken a
DEREKThe moment my hand left Elena’s, I already regretted it. The dance was over, but my wolf was still pacing beneath my skin, growling, restless. She had been in my arms for mere minutes, yet it was long enough to remind me of everything I had lost. Everything I had thrown away.The Alpha in me v
I had smiled, slow and certain. "I am yours."He kissed me then, hard and desperate, as if he could claim me with the press of his lips alone. And maybe, for a while, he had.That night had been the first time I had truly believed in the possibility of a future with Derek. We had talked about marria







