RACHEL VALEMONT’S POVI’d stayed the day to watch over Blake. Lately I’d been thinking of moving fully to live at the pack house. It'll only make sense since I usually spend most of my time here.“How is he doing?” Tessa asked as she took Blake from my arm.I smiled at the sight of my daughter and my grandson. I couldn’t believe I would have missed all of these, I couldn’t believe I had once thrown away the very thing that mattered to me the most. But more than anything, I was grateful that I realized the truth before it became truly too late.I might not have been a part of Tessa’s life when she needed me the most, but at least I got to be present in Blake’s life. That was more than I deserved, and I wasn’t going to throw this away for anything in the world.“He is getting… bigger.” I responded. That fact about werewolf children was a mystery to me, and yet it excited me, watching him grow every single day.“He sure is.”“Tomorrow is going to be a busy day at work; I might spend the
WRAITH’S POV“How is she doing?” Jake asked, referring to Tessa.I shut the file we’d both been working on and leaned back into my seat.“She’s… silent.”“That’s not a good thing.”“No, it’s not. I’d been about to pay a visit to James’s family, but I don’t know if that would be a good idea.” The families of the three pack members I’d executed just had their funeral service a day ago. I’d been in attendance, and so had Tessa, though she’d made sure to keep a good distance from me and had left the moment it was over.“I’m not a man of violence, Alpha. But what you did back there was the right thing; everyone in the pack understands why you did what you did, and no one faults you for that. What would have been wrong would be letting them live after what they did.”While I hated the fact that I had to kill my own pack members and then watch their families mourn their deaths, I still wouldn’t have made a different choice. She was my duty, and they’d planned to kill her. A fate worse than
“Do you need a refill?” Rex offered.“No, I think I’ve had enough. I wouldn’t want a hangover by morning.”He nodded before refilling his glass.“I wanted to say thank you, it was a beautiful party and I did enjoy myself.” I admitted.“You seemed rather bored in there.”“Perhaps it’s because I had to watch women shamelessly throw themselves at you.”“What?”“Did I say that out loud?”Oh my god. It was the alcohol; it had to be.“Many of them already had mates. I had to engage them in conversations—that is also a tactic to win over alliances. In some packs, the Luna is responsible, or at least has a say in most choices the Alpha makes.”“You don’t have to explain your actions to me, I mean, it’s completely normal for you to talk to people—male and female alike. I really don’t know why I said that.”His gaze trailed down to my lips.“I should have told you this earlier, the dress… It looks very good on you.”“Are you just saying that to make me feel less awkward about what I’d said earl
Aaron Sylas had stormed off after Rex’s words, and Richard had followed after, perhaps to make sure he’d left the pack.Rex was tense; I could see it. I could also sense his anger.I didn’t know what to do. I felt like I’d intruded into something that should have been private—I had no right to be here; I shouldn’t have stayed to witness everything that transpired between Aaron and Rex.Should I say something to him? But then again, what would I say?Perhaps leaving is indeed the best idea; maybe what Rex needed was some time alone. Yet, I couldn’t bring myself to leave him.“Rex,” I called silently, because I had not a single idea what I was to say.“I’m sorry you had to see that,” he said to me, his voice surprisingly calm.“No, it’s fine—I mean, I don’t think what he said was ‘fine’; what I meant to say was that…” I trailed off when I realized I was rambling. Like seriously, what the hell was wrong with me?“I understood what you meant. And Aaron wasn’t entirely wrong either.”“He h
“I’ll be a liar if I say it’s a pleasure to meet you even after all these years, Rex Sylas.” The man, who I just discovered was Rex’s uncle, said, with one of the coldest smiles I’d ever seen plastered on his face.“You and me both.” Rex responded, but in his case, he hadn’t bothered with a fake smile.“Perhaps we should have this conversation somewhere more… private?” Aaron questioned, his gaze trailing over all the guests present.Once again, Rex’s jaw tightened, but unlike earlier, I had no doubt that irritation was all he felt.Still, he nodded and led the way.He stopped at what I assumed was his office, and then he walked in, leaving the door open. I hesitated at the entrance. I had no business being here, and I wasn’t even sure I was welcomed.But he gave me a reassuring nod, taking that as an invitation, I walked in.“I would have preferred having this talk with the human absent.”“Your preferences don’t matter to me.”“Clearly, seeing everything you’ve been up to of late.”“W
DANIKA’S POV There was a knock on the door. Clara, only did that out of courtesy and perhaps to announce her entry, since we both knew she didn’t need my permission to come in. Strangely, this time, she didn’t let herself in.A second knock followed, and I finally rose to my feet. Walking to the door, I pulled it open.It wasn’t Clara. It was… Richard.“Wait—before you slam the door in my face, I just came to talk. I promise to take no more than five minutes.”“There’s nothing to talk about.”“You’re mad at me. I deserve that, but all I ask for is five minutes of your time.” He said, and I finally stepped aside, letting him in. “You could leave the door open if it makes you any bit more comfortable.”I slammed the door shut.“You have five minutes.”“I truly wish we’d met under different circumstances. I’m sorry about earlier, and I understand why you might still hold grievances against me, but I promise to try to make up for what I’ve done.”It wasn’t actually his fault; I knew it