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
We walked in silence for a few minutes, the air between us thick with unsaid things.Finally, I broke it."If you wanted spiritual guidance," I said, glancing sideways at him, "why not ask your own pack’s spiritual counselor?"He hesitated.I caught it—the subtle stiffening of his shoulders, the fli
ELENAThe phone was slipping in my sweaty palm, but I refused to hang up."I understand protocol," I said tightly, forcing my voice to stay even. "I’m not asking for full disclosure. I’m trying to ascertain if Maggie is being treated fairly and afforded her right of due process."Static crackled on
I gave a dry laugh."Welcome to being the Moonstone Princess," I muttered.He smiled faintly."You need a vacation."I arched an eyebrow at him."Last time I tried to take a vacation, I was held hostage and nearly lost our son."He winced. "Fair point."The corner of my mouth twitched despite myself
ELENAThe low fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, washing everything in a sterile, humming glow.Maggie sat across from me, wrists cuffed, the chains on the table between us rattling softly every time she moved. Her eyes were red, her mouth pressed into a thin, trembling line. She looked like a ghos







