Chapter 2

Early the next morning, I heard a commotion in the kitchen.

Ryan had canceled the pack's morning territory meeting and made my favorite cream of mushroom soup and seared steak himself. There was a big bouquet of white lisianthus on the table too.

Last month, while walking past a flower shop, I'd mentioned that the flowers were pretty.

And he'd remembered.

When I got to the table, he slid a velvet box over to me.

"Open it."

Inside was an antique necklace I'd been talking about for a year but had never managed to track down.

"I've had someone looking for it for six months. It arrived last night. Erin, please don't be mad. I really do know I messed up."

My heart still gave a traitorous little jolt.

Just then, my hand brushed my phone, and the screen lit up.

The lock screen was still a photo of me holding Nora on the beach, both of us laughing.

I stared at the photo for a few seconds, then said, "Tell Northridge's inner circle right now."

Ryan went still.

"Tell them you and Claire crossed the line last night. Starting today, revoke her permission to be alone with you or enter the main house at night. Keep it strictly professional. Outside of necessary pack business, the two of you are not to meet alone."

His guilty expression slowly froze.

"Do we really need to drag the whole pack into this?"

I laughed. "What are you afraid of?"

"Claire's the Beta. She's been in Northridge all these years. If everyone knows about this, how is she supposed to lead the patrol? What will people think of her?"

"So you'd rather make me question everything about our three years as mates than let her face even a little of the fallout?"

Ryan was quiet for a long time. In the end, all he did was delete Claire's personal number in front of me.

"Is that good enough? I'll have someone else relay any pack business.

"I've already met you halfway, Erin."

That was when I finally understood.

He'd spend the money. He'd climb down from his Alpha pedestal to make breakfast. He'd remember every little thing I'd ever said in passing.

But he wouldn't truly admit that he and Claire were the ones in the wrong.

And he definitely wouldn't let Claire lose anything over it.

Later that morning, as he got ready to leave, he spent a long time digging around in the closet.

"Where's the medicine for my silver wound? It's cloudy today, and my old injury is acting up."

Ten years ago, a hunter had cut him across the ribs with a silver blade. Werewolves heal quickly from ordinary wounds, but silver wounds keep flaring up.

All those years, I'd been the one who kept track of when he took his medicine and whether he needed an extra dose before it rained.

I didn't even look up. "Second shelf in the cabinet. From now on, keep track yourself."

He paused, then asked, "Where's the shirt I'm supposed to wear today?"

"Iron it yourself."

Ryan stood there for a long time before saying, "You're giving me the cold shoulder to punish me, and you're making yourself suffer in the process."

I almost laughed out loud.

That night, he hugged me from behind as usual.

I caught his familiar cedar scent and stiffened before I could stop myself.

The most intimate act between werewolf mates isn't a hug. It's letting your mate's scent cover your own.

I used to love curling up in his arms.

Now it just felt suffocating.

He sensed my resistance and slowly let go. "You should at least give me a chance to make it right."

I didn't answer.

Late that night, his phone buzzed.

Ryan glanced at me. Thinking I was asleep, he stepped out onto the balcony.

Werewolves have very good hearing.

Even through the glass door, I could hear every word he said.

"Last night wasn't all your fault. I'm not blaming you.

"Erin can't handle it right now. Give me a few days. I'll take care of it."

I couldn't hear what was said on the other end.

Ryan said softly, "She won't really leave. She could never bear to leave Nora or this home."

Slowly, my blood ran cold.

When he came back into the room and saw that my eyes were open, he froze.

"One of Northridge's partners called. Did it wake you?"

I didn't call him on it.

After he fell asleep, I went into Nora's room.

My daughter was curled up under her soft blanket, a tiny fang peeking out as she slept.

I sat by her bed and watched her for a long time.

"System, when I go back, can I take Nora with me?"

[Less than 48 hours remaining. As a rule, living beings native to the mission world cannot be brought back with you.]

My heart sank.

The System paused for a few seconds.

[Unless you meet a special condition before your return.]