Chapter 3

By the time I got back, Frank Porter had already seen to James, giving him something to bring the fever down.

Frank was not just Malcolm's trusted doctor—he was like a brother to him.

He watched Elaine, perched on the edge of the bed, gently dabbing at James's forehead with a tenderness that did not sit right with him. In a hushed tone, he questioned Malcolm.

"Malcolm, I don't understand. Didn't you say that once you had the pup, you'd send her packing? Why bring her home? What if Mila finds out about her identity?"

Malcolm's eyes lingered on his son, a mix of exhaustion and resignation in his gaze.

"What choice do I have? James won't let her out of his sight. Every time I try to separate them, he gets sick. He's my only heir. I can't keep him away forever.

"It's fine. Let's leave it. She gave me a son, after all. I can't just ignore her. We'll have her stay on as a nanny. It'll keep James happy, and she won't be out there getting pushed around.

"And Mila..."

He hesitated, then bolstered himself with a firm tone.

"She trusts me completely. As long as I'm careful, she'll never suspect a thing."

Seeing Malcolm so adamant, Frank dropped the subject, gathered his things, and headed out the door.

"Mila!"

His shock was palpable when he saw me, the medicine box nearly crashing to the floor. Malcolm was right behind him, his composure shattered, eyes darting nervously as he read my face.

"Honey, when did you get back? Did you...hear anything?"

He knew, just as I did, that what he was doing was a dark secret, a lie that could not stand the light.

Yet he had brought her home, hiding behind the pretense of adoption and the role of a nanny to fool me.

I could not help but laugh at the absurdity, my voice steady and smooth.

"I just got back. Was there something I was supposed to hear? Or was it something you didn't tell me?"

"How could you think that?"

Malcolm gave Frank a nod to move ahead, then pulled me into a warm embrace, his head nuzzling my neck with affection.

"Honey, you know how much I love you. It breaks my heart when you doubt me. You owe me one."

I always adored how he could be so commanding out in the world, yet turn into a big kid the moment he stepped through our door.

It used to make me feel like I was the only one—someone truly special to him.

However, all I felt now was a deep ache in my chest.

I gently pushed him away. "Okay, I'm beat. I'm heading upstairs."

Malcolm, still thinking I was upset over the whole James thing, stuck to me like glue, his voice laced with worry as he tried to explain.

"Honey, James really is my mom's adopted pup. If his being here bothers you, I'll have her take him back right now..."

"Let him stay."

I could not bear another minute of his patronizing lies, not with just three days left, so I cut him off mid-sentence.

Malcolm was taken aback by my response, but he quickly sought reassurance.

"Honey, are you sure you're okay with him staying?"

I nodded, offering him a weary smile.

"Of course. The pack needs an heir. Mom has done the right thing. Malcolm, we should be grateful that she brought us a pup who looked so much like you."

"You're always looking out for me, Mila. I'll love you forever."

He pressed a tender kiss to my forehead.

"Don't worry. I'll make sure James learns to respect you just like he would his own mom."

That was a fantasy.

No young one would ever see another woman as their mother.

Elaine certainly would not have it.

However, I did not burst his bubble. I just nodded along.

"Yeah, I believe you.

"Also, since you've chosen him as your successor, it's time to hold the ceremony and introduce him to everyone.

"Why don't we do it during the Blood Moon Festival in three days? Our pack's fighters will be at Austin Castle. It's the perfect occasion for the ceremony, don't you think?"

Malcolm harbored some doubts about my quick acceptance of James, but the overwhelming joy of fulfilling his ambition smothered those slight uncertainties.

"Ah, Mila, you've thought of everything. I'll tell James the great news and remind him to thank his clever mother."

He left, beaming with happiness, while I walked away in the opposite direction, our paths and hearts diverging more with each step.

'Malcolm, in three days, you'll gain an heir, but you'll also lose me forever,' I mused.