MasukVex's POVWhy was she acting like I was the one who caused her disgrace seven years ago? I had nothing to do with her nude pictures. I never touched those photographs, never shared them, never even looked at them beyond the first time they appeared on my screen.And the sex we had shared that night in the forest? That was mutual. She had been in heat, yes, but she had been conscious. She had said yes. She had reached for us, begged for us, pulled us closer with her own hands. I never forced her. I would never have done any of it if the mate bond had not thrown every ounce of my caution out the window and left me with nothing but instinct and need.I lowered my voice so the remaining assistants could not hear. "Why are you behaving like this? Is it because I chose not to be with you seven years ago? What made you think I would want to be with a girl from a disgraced family? A Blackwood? Your father was a traitor. Your mother died of shame. Your name was poison in every respectable hous
Sage's POVLater, I sent word to Vex through a servant that I needed access to his research. He responded within the hour, sending directions to his private home on the eastern edge of the territory. Not his family's estate, but his own place. Milo came with me. Besides, I did not like leaving her alone in a place where Mara could find her.The walk to Vex's home took twenty minutes. The building was modern and unassuming from the outside, all clean lines and dark glass. A servant met us at the door and led us inside."The master is in his laboratory," the servant said, her voice soft and professional. "However, children are not permitted in that wing of the house. Too many hazards. Chemicals, sharp instruments, delicate equipment. It is for their safety."I understood. I did not like it, but I understood.Milo tugged on my sleeve. "I will be fine, Aunt Sage. I can wait with the servant."I looked down at her, and my worry must have shown on my face because she gave me a small, reass
Sage's POVThe King's lips curved into something that was almost a smile. "I am completely serious. Those three are the only people in this territory whose judgment I trust. If they cannot keep an eye on you, then no one can.""This is absurd," I said. "I am here to investigate a virus that is killing your people, not to steal your silverware. I do not need babysitters.""And yet, you will have them," the King said. "Accept the condition, or leave. Those are your only choices."I looked at Kael. He was watching me with an expression I could not read. His arms were still crossed, his posture still rigid, but something in his eyes looked almost apologetic. Almost.I looked at Milo. She gave me a small nod, barely perceptible, telling me to accept.I wanted to scream. I wanted to grab my daughter and walk out of this room and never look back. But I had not come this far to let a dying old man's paranoia stop me from finding out who had created the virus that threatened my child."Fine,"
Sage's POVI watched as Kael walked to his father's side. He did not cover his nose. He simply crossed the room and sat on the edge of the bed like he had done this a hundred times before.I moved closer, pulling Milo with me. The smell was worse near the bed, but I forced myself to breathe through my mouth and focus on the man in front of me.His eyes opened slowly, as if the effort of lifting his eyelids cost him something he could not afford to lose. The former Alpha King. The man who had cast my family as enemies, who had declared us traitors, who had stripped us of everything as if my father's betrayal was my fault and my mother's fault. As if any of us had chosen to be related to a man who sold pack secrets.His gaze found Kael first. Even in his sick state, the recognition was immediate."You are back," the old man said. His voice was thin and reedy, nothing like the booming command I remembered from years ago. "That means you have gotten the cure. You brought it back, right?"
Sage's POV I did not sleep well. Every time I closed my eyes, the nightmares came. The men discovering Milo's identity. Their hands grabbing her, holding her down while needles pierced her skin. Kael's cold voice saying that she was just the cure, nothing more. Vex's emotionless eyes watching as they drained her blood. Cass standing in the corner, doing nothing, just like he had always done nothing.I woke up several times with my heart pounding and my hands reaching for a daughter who was still asleep in her bed, safe and whole. By the time morning light filtered through the window, I had given up on rest entirely.Milo sat up in her bed and rubbed her eyes. "Good morning, Aunt Sage.""Good morning, sweetheart."She studied my face for a moment, her dark eyes sharp despite her sleepy expression. "You look tired. Did you sleep badly?""I am just tired," I said. "Nothing to worry about."Milo accepted the answer, though I could tell she did not fully believe it. She was too perceptive
Sage's POVI did not have the energy for this. But I also did not have the patience to tolerate her any longer."You can insult me for as long as you want," I said, keeping my voice low and steady. "I do not care what you call me. But what I will not stand is you insulting my niece. Keep her name out of your mouth."Mara's eyes narrowed, and a mocking smile spread across her face. "Since when did you grow a backbone? Is it because you cannot accept what you are? A slut who spread her legs for three unknown wolves? I bet you terminated the pregnancy" She tilted her head, her smile turning cruel. "I wonder where those three men are now. They probably forgot you even exist. You were nothing to them. Just a warm body they used and discarded."I wished that were true. I wished I could forget them as easily as they had forgotten me. But the bond in my chest still pulsed, connecting me to three souls I had spent seven years trying to hate into silence."Believe what you want," I said. "But y







