ey's

apartment-the one I'd bought before marrying Brian. B

imple rooms, a living area, and a kitchen, featuring a window that overlooked the city's

e soft sofa, finally a

flame, I placed a steak inside. Subconsciously, I began timing it, preparing to sear

ave it my way: medium-rare,

he dinner I cooked for myself,

Open up!

disinfectant following her. She h

ed. "What are you doing here? Are

to the coffee table with a loud thud. "And Bri

was worried about you. All afternoon, I kept thinking-how are you holding up all alone? So I jumped in my car

rld, aside from the child inside me, maybe Vick

"skipping work just for me

're my best friend. I can't just sit back and do nothing while you're hurting. Those jerks stomped all

m fine." I pointed toward the kitchen. "I just made d

ing to see if I was really okay. "Y

logical choice, but you know how it is... emotio

er, Ashley. A thousand ti

her another medium-rare steak. She complimented the simple

nalized, I'm leaving." I tried my best to

ter that? You're alone, and... you've got the baby too.

her, looking her straight in the eye

it was time to come clean. "Do

olf community! They hold the 'Moonlight Salon' every six months, and even Alphas from the

lery belo

st as if she could fit an egg in there. "

ging, smiling little trophy. So, I used a fake name. All these years, I've been secretly using the gallery's profits to cover up for the

nt Truce Accord, is the only place where wolf pack elites can safely exchange information, negotiate in secret, and even forge all

ouncing with excitement. "Oh my god, Ashley! You absolute genius! I knew

going to make so much money, enough to make sure my pup grows up in a safe, comf

houlder, her voice soft but full of convi

an emergency call from the hosp

ek. "You're eating for two now, so take care of yourself! And hey

zed as well. It was the gallery assis

ning, Ms.

the alias I

er you, but a package arrived for you-no sender info. It seems k

And while I'm at it, could you get started on the planning fo

nto a sleek black outfit and

striking blend of black steel and glass-modern, understated, but undeniably sophis

ning, Ms.

wasn't the worthless one without a

ck kraft paper envelope. "This is it

y feeling gripped my chest. I walked up to

ntract or papers I expect

hospital t

on the "Patient Name" se

lv

est CT analysis, immune system evaluations... Every line, every cl

est results were

o live" story, the "too frai

s all

or's

oodmoo

rt stood before the floor-to-ceiling wi

a Ashley's hands. Alpha, why not just go to her directly? You've been watching her for so lon

r females. She doesn't need any charity. Unless

"If you keep this up,

ing in his eyes. He walked back to his desk,

yet kept her spine perfectly straight. She had her pride, her secrets, and her own gall

lts to end up in Ashley's hands. He wanted her to see the truth with her own eyes. He wanted her to rea

he

with Brian, wait for her to face the pack's pressure alone, and wait for her to realize she

was resolute. "Soon

, Silvia's lies, and most of all, th

it takes, I will make her belong to me willingly. In th

d the direction of Ashley's apartment. A cold, p

ould go exactly ac