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
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
Elena followed us inside the packhouse, the three of us moving in slow, heavy silence up the staircase to the family wing.Elena nudged Aiden’s door open with her hip, carrying him inside.We tucked him into the bed together, smoothing the covers over him, brushing his hair back from his forehead.T
DEREKThe door to the Alpha’s office shut behind us with a heavy click, sealing the tension inside.Elena stalked ahead of me down the hallway, her bare shoulders tight with fury and frustration.I caught up to her in three long strides."I want to talk to her," she said, voice low and feral. "Now."
DEREKFor a moment, I didn’t move. Didn’t breathe.Maggie’s confession echoed in my ears—loud, ugly, final.Cassandra.Cassandra had hired rogues to attack Elena. The day of our wedding.I stood rooted to the floor, staring across the small interrogation room at Maggie’s battered figure, my heart







