a

s started i

ou see

na push

ere was something

phina, and with

the crowd below buzzed with gossip. Their voices merged int

t process what h

irs like some kind of stunt performer. And then Mason appeared out of nowhere, holding a baby that looked exactly like

it mad

he disappointment in them felt like a phy

asn't the

ina's side. Watching her throw her arms around his neck like some damsel i

t through the noise. "Why wou

he tiniest smile over his shou

but no words came out. What could I poss

ctor here now. Set up a guest room for Seraphi

ld. Nobody wanted to stick around an

helped her away. That mischievous glint was still there

ed this.

on's hand clamped aroun

away. "Mason,

cally dragged me

e his room, he slammed t

Seraphina down the stairs? Have you always been this cruel and I just never noticed? Beca

ough his hair, pacin

through the entire pack in less than an hour. Everyone

inside m

howed up and put on a good show?" My voice rose with each word. "Yo

like a wave. Seraphina was right. He'd

f red lipstick at the corner of Mason

t was

d been telling the trut

looded throu

up?" Mason's tone softened slightly, like he was c

lly considering anything. He was

fell, jumped, or I pushed her... what does it matter? You've already dec

s eyes flashed. "Instead of taking res

rp and bitter. "How abou

apped back like

en are you going to explain Seraphina's sudden return? Or that lipstick smudge on

cked but I p

your own actions. Do you have any idea how small you've ma

tween us, thick

oke, his words knocke

apologize to Seraphina. Right now. If you w

him, genui

im in a swamp. Heck, I'd rather eat dirt. I wi

d him like this before. Never raised

earlier." My hands were shaking but my voice stayed stead

pression told

ut," I continued. "So let's end this. I want

hat followed

ent cold. Colder th

I've honored my father's wishes long enough. Now that he's gone and I

like a knife

in that bond. We've been together a whole year, a

e moved to his desk a

. That's what my father believed only mates could produce. And aft

chest. I caught

hem and we can both move on with

e stor

said we weren't getting divorced. Now h

down my cheek befo

nst the flat surface where our baby was gr

never, ever tel

pered to the empty room. "C