I stood there stunned, unable to process the doctor's words as Aspen took the paper from her hand. My eyes were glued to him as he read over the results, no hint of emotion on his face. "Thank you, doctor," he said dismissively. "You may begin prepping my son for the transfusion." My son. The words sent a shard of ice through my heart. "Wait just a minute," I said, finally finding my voice. "You can't just take him away from me. I'm his mother!" I exclaimed, my heart pounding so fast in my chest that I could barely breathe. Aspen turned his frosty gaze on me. "And now that I have been confirmed as his father, I have every right to take him. You kept this from me for three years. Be grateful I don't take legal action against you of do something worse,” Aspen uttered, his eyes narrowed and gaze kept on me. "Grateful?!" I cried. "How dare you! I was trying to protect him!" My clenched fists were trembling at my sides as I started at the man’s dangerously attractive face. This was e

ASPENThe sound of the lock sliding into place gave me a sense of satisfaction. With Andrea secured, I could focus my attention where it belonged – on my son. I strode briskly through the pack house that has been in my family for centuries, towards the medical wing I had asked to be prepared for Cole’s arrival. Once I was sure the transfusion was a success and there were no complications, I was here to tell Andrea of my intentions. Yet as I walked, an uncomfortable feeling settled over me. I tried to brush it off, but Andrea’s devastated face lingered in my mind.Perhaps I had been overly harsh with her. But I quickly dismissed the thought. My actions were justified given how she had hidden my own child from me. To think I’d gone years thinking I would never have a child of my own yet she hid such a life changing truth from me? What was her reason? What did she stand to gain? No, any twinges of guilt were surely just vain attraction towards the woman. Andrea was cunning, manipu

The instant I saw my baby boy, I rushed over and scooped him into my arms. I hugged Cole tight, breathing in his sweet little scent. After months of seeing him so sick, it filled me with relief to see him looking stronger and as precious as ever. His wide blue eyes stared up at me and I damn well melted when I saw the recognition in them. Every fear, every bit of anger that had brewed inside of me for the past 2 weeks, none of it mattered in that moment as I held my son in my arms and heard his little coos. As I rocked Cole, I could feel Aspen’s intense stare on me. I glanced up. Damn, I’d forgotten just how freaking gorgeous he was. The man was model-level hot, even with that stern expression. Sharp cheekbones, chiseled jaw – and those glasses just took the appeal over the top. I stopped staring out of fear that he would notice the attraction in my eyes, one more thing he could use against me. No! I could not be attracted to this man, I wasn’t the same young woman I was three yea

After washing up and getting Cole dressed for the day, I carried him in my arms and walked up to the door. Despite my hesitance, when I’d pushed down on the handle, the door opened and I let out a breath of relief. Sure I was still reeling from the rudeness of the woman that had come in, it almost felt like an imagination. Now I had to have breakfast with the pack members, who knew what they thought about me? Who would want an omega at a pack table? Something told me Aspen was doing this just to show how beneath him I was, I hated it and hated him for it. Still, I will never show my weakness to anyone. As I walked, I heard my muted footsteps against the hardwood floors of the expansive pack house as we made our way through the maze of corridors. Cole was restless in my arms, asking to be put down. He could walk on his own but last thing I wanted was for him to wander off in a place I knew nothing about, his bright blue eyes wide with curiosity as he took in all the unfamilia

Aspen’s commanding presence filled the spacious library, those magnetic blue eyes boring into me from across the room. My lungs strained for air that wouldn’t quite fill them. Cole’s small hand fisted tighter in my skirt as he peered around my leg warily.I rested what I hoped was a soothing hand on my son’s baby-fine hair, struggling not to mirror his uncertainty. Seeing Aspen up close again still had such an effect on me that I couldn’t explain. Had he always been so imposingly broad-shouldered and tall? So devastatingly, heart-stoppingly handsome? I fisted my hands to hide their faint tremor. Get it together! It’s only been a fucking day! Oblivious to my inner turmoil, Aspen crossed his arms and regarded us coolly through those wire-framed glasses. “Come on Cole, aren’t you going to say hello to me?” He arched one thick brow in question. Cole took another step back and burrowed himself deeper behind me. Aspen’s jaw tightened. I bristled at his entitled tone. As if he had no