جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 40

Draven POVMaybe because the answers I needed weren't all tied to seven years ago. There was another question I'd been too careful not to ask. One I wasn't sure I wanted answered.Was there a Mr. Wallace?Maybe it was safe to assume there was none. She would've gone straight home if there was a mate waiting, wouldn't she? I moved my car and parked at an easy exit spot in the parking lot. Then I got out. The conversation needed to continue. I had things to say.I'd barely made it to the door when something landed in front of me with a soft thud. I stopped just in time to avoid stepping on it.It was some kind of paper toy. A train, or something close to one.I bent to pick it up just as a child with a schoolbag hurried toward me. He reached for it, but I got there first.When I lifted my gaze, my heart slammed against my ribs as sharp, silver-gray eyes met mine.A boy. No more than a first grader.He stared back at me, his sharp gaze moving between me and the paper train in my hand.

Draven POVThe male was now an honorary Elder. Which meant he had a seat in rooms I couldn't easily remove him from.He was standing near the trail crossing with the patience of someone who had positioned himself there deliberately.I didn't slow down. Nash and Simon read the situation and fell back without being told."Morning, Alpha." Gordon inclined his head."Elder Gordon.""I heard something from my daughter," he said. "About Layla."Layla's words came back to me immediately. 'Beta Gordon and Julia wanted Carla to be your mate. They asked me to let things be what they were always supposed to be. And I did.'I looked at the male but all I saw was a girl standing in a study being told what she was worth. "I heard you caught her," he continued. "And released her.""She was released on bail pending the Tribunal. That's standard procedure.""A thief should be held until the punishment is served,” he insisted. “And I was not informed of her reappearance. She's my ward, Alpha.""Was

Layla POVThen I glanced around the hall, which was fuller than I'd expected.Familiar faces I hadn't seen in years sat in rows. Like the past had simply been waiting for me to walk back into it. I had promised myself that I would be composed. I must keep that promise.Whatever came next I would handle it the way I handled everything. By focusing on what was immediately in front of me and not the thousand things surrounding it.Carla stepped forward.Even though I had already absorbed the reality that she was going to be my accuser…Watching her open the case file and begin to speak was something else entirely.Her voice was even and professional. The voice of a counsel who had done this many times and knew how to use a room.She began with the necklace, stating its value. Gold and emerald; four grams and one and a half grams, respectively. Assets that appreciated over time and could comfortably sustain a person for months. She explained the circumstances of its disappearance and wh

Layla POVAs Noah moved farther away, I began to wonder if I really wanted to hear whatever Savanna was about to tell me.I didn't have to wonder for long.“It's not her fault she couldn't be here,” she said gently, almost in a whisper. She glanced around to make sure no one was listening. “I know, Layla. I mean... we know.”I stared at her. When I said nothing, she continued.“About you... and the Alpha. Carla told Lois. It was supposed to stay a secret, but she told me. Our little group fell apart after that. Carla stopped speaking to Lois. Lois's mother lost her place in the Pack Mothers’ Coven. Both families stopped being friends.”She sighed.“There's so much to tell you.” She pulled out her phone and held it toward me.I took it.Not because I wanted the gossip. Quite the opposite. I would have preferred not to know any of it. But refusing to exchange numbers with someone who might have just saved me didn't feel right.I entered my number and handed the phone back.Savanna hesit

Draven POVI vaguely noticed Nash when he appeared.He began speaking immediately. Giving verbal reports about something serious. I heard some of the words. Border crossing. Unauthorized possession. Criminal in detention. He was delivering it efficiently and without filler. The way he delivered any urgent verbal report. I caught maybe half of it.Only one thought remained in a loop inside my head.Layla had a five year old son.Five! The number left a sour taste in my mouth.I increased my pace."Alpha." Nash fell into step beside me. "Should I continue?""My office," I replied simply.He followed without another word.The mansion corridors were busy at this hour. Pack members stepped aside as I passed. A bow here. A greeting there. I ignored all of it.My mother appeared at the end of the east hallway. She started toward me with a look that could only mean she had something to say.I turned left before she reached me.Nash caught up as I pushed open the study door. He came in b