Chapter 4

Skye 

The walk back home feels like a death march.

Noah offered to come with me, but I sent him away. Whatever consequences wait for me, I need to face them alone. Besides, having the Beta escort me home like a wayward child would only make things worse.

The sun has fully set now, leaving the pack grounds bathed in the silver glow of the full moon. I can hear voices from the main hall—dinner must be starting. I wonder if Jaxon told them why their Luna didn't show up. If he made excuses, or if he simply let them draw their own conclusions.

My stomach churns at the thought of facing the elders tomorrow. I didn't just ask for a divorce in private. I announced it in front of the most powerful members of the pack, then stormed out like a petulant child throwing a tantrum.

Not exactly exemplary Luna behavior.

But what else was I supposed to do? Stand there and smile while my husband introduced his son with my sister? Pretend my heart wasn't shattering into a million pieces?

I pause at the edge of the tree line, staring at the house I've called home for three years. It's beautiful—all stone and timber, built to house the Alpha's family for generations. I used to imagine filling it with children. With laughter. With love.

Stupid.

Taking a deep breath, I force myself forward. Even if I want a divorce, I can't just abandon my responsibilities. Tomorrow I'm supposed to oversee the visiting pack's welcome ceremony. Next week, I'm scheduled to mediate a dispute between two families. And there's the hospital fundraiser I've been planning for months.

I can't let the pack down just because my personal life is imploding.

The front door opens before I reach it.

Jaxon fills the doorway, backlit by the warm interior lights. His expression is unreadable, but I can see the tension in his shoulders. His scent washes over me—cedarwood and amber, laced with something sharp. Anger, maybe. Or frustration.

"You came back," he says, and I can't tell if he's surprised or relieved.

"I live here." My voice comes out steadier than I feel. "For now, anyway."

His jaw tightens. "We need to talk."

"I don't have anything to say to you."

"Well, I have plenty to say to you." He steps aside, gesturing for me to enter. "You embarrassed me in front of the elders, Skye. You can't just—"

"I embarrassed you?" The words burst out before I can stop them. "You have a secret son, Jaxon. You've been hiding my sister's return for a month. But sure, I'm the one who caused a scene."

"Inside. Now." It's not a request. It's an Alpha command, and my wolf responds instinctively, my feet carrying me through the door even as I want to resist.

I hate that. Hate how the bond makes me vulnerable to his authority.

The house smells different. It takes me a moment to place it—jasmine and oak. Cassandra's scent, woven through the familiar cedar and rain that marks this space as ours.

No. Not ours. His.

I round the corner into the living room and stop dead.

There are boxes everywhere. Suitcases lined up against the wall. A child's toy—some kind of stuffed wolf—sitting on the couch where I usually read in the evenings.

And Cassandra, directing two pack members as they carry a dresser up the stairs.

"What is this?" My voice is barely a whisper.

Cassandra turns, and if I didn't know better, I'd think the guilt on her face was genuine. "Skye. I'm so sorry, this must look—"

"What is this?" I repeat, louder now.

Jaxon moves past me, his expression hard. "It's temporary. Cassandra and Liam need a place to stay until we can arrange something more permanent."

"More permanent." I stare at him. "You're moving them into our house."

"It's the Alpha's house," he corrects. "And Liam is my son. Where else would they stay?"

"Literally anywhere else?" My hands are shaking. "Guest quarters. A separate residence. Hell, there are empty homes all over pack territory. But you chose here. In our home."

"This is the most practical solution." Jaxon's tone is maddeningly calm. "Liam needs to be close to the pack doctor while he undergoes treatment. And as Alpha, I need to be available to him."

"How convenient." I turn to Cassandra. "And you're okay with this? Moving into your sister's home? Sleeping under the same roof as her husband?"

"It's just until Liam is better," Cassandra says softly. "I know it's awkward, but his health has to come first. Surely you understand that."

The thing is, I do understand. If a child is sick, of course he needs to be near medical care. Of course his father would want him close.

But that doesn't make this any less excruciating.

"How long?" I ask Jaxon.

"The doctor thinks a few months of treatment should—"

"A few months?" The room spins. "You expect me to live here with her for months? To watch you play house with my sister while I'm—"

I cut myself off before I can say it. Before I can tell him about the baby. Because standing here, watching Cassandra's belongings infiltrate my home, I realize with sickening clarity that he doesn't deserve to know.

"While you're what?" Jaxon's eyes narrow. "If you have something to say, Skye, say it."

"While I'm still your wife," I finish. "While we're still mated. Does that mean nothing to you?"

Something flickers across his face—too quick to read. "This isn't about us. It's about Liam."

"Everything is about Liam now, isn't it? Or about Cassandra. But never about me." I'm dangerously close to crying again, and I refuse to break down in front of them. "Fine. Move her in. Hell, give her my room while you're at it. I'm sure she'd prefer the view."

"Don't be dramatic."

"Dramatic?" I laugh, sharp and humorless. "I came home to find my husband moving his ex-girlfriend and their son into our house. But sure, I'm being dramatic."

"Skye—" Cassandra starts.

The sound that comes from upstairs cuts her off.

A wet, rattling gasp. Then nothing.

Cassandra's face goes white. "Liam."

She's running before anyone can react, taking the stairs two at a time. I hear a door slam open, hear her voice rise in panic.

"He can't breathe! Jaxon, he can't breathe!"

Jaxon is moving instantly, his Alpha instincts taking over. He bounds up the stairs, and I'm left standing in the living room surrounded by boxes and the fading scent of jasmine.

From upstairs, I hear Cassandra's voice, frantic and terrified:

"Save him, please! Jaxon, you have to save him!"