f sleeping, healing, and slowly piecing herself back together. Her body recove

in years. She made coffee, stood at Zara's window watching the city wake up, and

o

earing in the kitchen doorway in

face her friend. "Thank you. For

e. "What you did took courage. Don

l see it di

"He lost the right to have opinions about your

ck. Not to the manor-I can't face that yet.

sure you'

I need

erritory. Her hands were steady on the wheel, her mind c

o be Brielle's mother from what

ys ago. Warm stone, blooming gardens, the picture of peaceful dom

er. High and bright and c

house. Through the garden gate, she could see Brielle play

wasn't

th a soft smile. She wore casual clothes that probably cost more t

like she be

was her home. Her daughter. Her life t

om

, and for a moment, Mira's heart soared-until Bri

said, and it sounded al

ame back. I to

lle's lower lip trembled. "You were here wh

y, baby. I had to take care of som

om her designer jeans. "What a surprise. Ki

e-Kieran, not the Alpha or your

s permission to

st meant it would have been nice to know. We have such a bus

t her daughter. "Since

elle brightened. "It's so fun. We

elle in a subtle but clear claiming gesture. "She has so much energy, and th

d. Because Astr

to you alone for a

look-that automatic checking for p

usly. "I'll go make us some lem

he confidence of someone who knew where everything was. Because

e." Mira settled on the b

eful distance. When had her daughter

Mira began carefully. "How would you feel a

scrunched up. "

now,

here. And all my stuff

ou a ballet clas

her." Brielle picked at the grass. "

Astrid. Not

mplicate

t to tell you the truth." Brielle looked up with thos

ed Mira. "How do y

mes mommies and daddies don't love each othe

did Auntie

work. And that Daddy needs someone to take care of him and me

lanting seeds. Making herself indispensable while painting

small hands. "I love you more than anything in the world. More than any

are you al

ges and systematic isolation to a four-year-old? "Because sometimes grown-ups make

up and makes my favorite foods." Brielle pulled her hands awa

ven't been the mommy you d

, all gracious hostess energy. "I hope you don't mind,

ree glasses with practiced ease. Br

u, Auntie

settled beside Brielle, and the lit

g like an outsider at her

care? I want you to know I take my responsibilities very seriously. I've been keepin

ira's voice came out cold.

sked me to step in while you were... occupied with other ma

"She's going to take me to Everwood Acad

stomach dropped. "T

kindergarten in the region. And since Brielle will be spending mo

use

d out a new arrangement. Brielle will split her time between here and the city. That

ake my daughter t

e has just as much right to decide where she lives as you do." Astrid

nt has a pool! And Auntie Astrid said I

id's endgame. She wasn't just stealing Kieran-she was stealing Briell

ptly. "Absolutely not

d said calmly. "You'd need to discuss it with Kieran.

see abo

d Kieran. It went straight to voice

e should be here around six. He's taking Brielle and me to dinner

ing Mira to watch them play ha

ielle looked worried now.

, rage and grief making control difficult. She

ce shook. "I just need to tal

king her watch. "Why don't you stay? We

g civilized about this woman syste

something. No matter what happens, no matter where you live or who you're w

ded uncerta

athing in her scent, memorizing it. Then

going?" Astrid

for my

e driveway. If Kieran thought he could move their daughter to the city to live wi

in the growing darkness, watching

our late-Kieran's SUV

wasn'