IA'S

the mai

but my steps were firm. I refused to loo

omes-and stepped inside, her scent enveloped me immediately. A

s and pushed open

raft table, drawing. She

hle

to bring into this world. I couldn't help but press a flurry of kisses to her ch

he wrinkled her little

stung. "I'm sorry, baby. I'

nging were unnecessary, as if

other's scent, her warmth, her closeness. But Ashley

her. "Did you sleep well last ni

up. "I want to go to East Street Presc

t me like a

Tif

iliarly, as if... as if that wo

I'll enroll you," I

ed no excitement. She d

th, choosing my ne

king... would you like to m

ect yet, not ready to tell her we

d up at me, confu

hy

you. I want to see you every day. I want to read

e," Ashley said. "Her storie

a knife, pre

one, "you're always crying and sad when you come

hle

rupted. "She's strong. She says I hav

ly, a growl rumbling deep in my consciousness. Tiffany ha

struggling to keep my voice even.

, that's why you won't give me a brother." Ashl

fr

ley, when I had you, I almost died. Bu

t in again. "But she says she's strong. She can give Dad a b

clenched

, liste

the screen. Her eyes immediately brightened wit

Tiffany!" s

tch. "Ashley, we're

atch to her chest, looking at me wit

eco

... as if I were a stra

self to stand. "You

aths, trying to calm the storm inside me. But the pregnancy had heightened my hearing. My wolf senses, already

y, I miss yo

ath hi

the bedtime st

our hugs

any, I don't want Mommy to have one. She said it

ew to my mouth. I slid down the wall, sinking to my k

Tiffany as

ed her for nine months, fough

y husband. Now she

my lower abdomen. The wolf withi

myself up, staggering toward the balc

, I pulled out my ph

cted th

led a

ted a

ird

ered, his voice th

, Sophia? I

off, my voice so cold it surprised even

meeting.

swear I will walk right up to the reporters outside your office an

le

growl. "I'

ung

, I watched the drivew

. But Tiffany stepped out of the passenger side first. She was holding Damian's arm,

bared it

She knew I was here.

Tiff

e I could react, she had burst out of the h

ight on her face-it was somethin

y's shoulder, her eyes met mine, a sm

inside m

triding toward them. "

ntly patting Ashley's back. "What was I su

her!" My voice shook. "She

an finally spoke, his ton

ef. "You want me to calm down? Look at what she's doin

amian stated coldly.

ped me. "The problem is she's replacing me! S

ze locked on me, "perhaps