a's

s gradually gave way to towering pines and rolling hills,

bouncing slightly in her seat a

chest as recognition dawn

ge with its natural stone facade and wide windows that seemed to embrace the surrounding forest. This lodge had b

le had seized everything-our home, our pack, our legacy. If not fo

, my voice trembling

er eyes sparkling with excitement. "Come on, g

s, my eyes drinking in every detail o

bouncing on her heels. "The whole Moonstone Lake-the lodge,

n I had misheard. "What? No, that's

. I turned to see him approaching from his SUV that I hadn't even notic

tammered, shaking my head vigorous

warmth cascading through me. "Consider it payment for being my contractual wife," he said, h

ift to me-then at Adrian's sincere expression.

arents I had left, the one thing I'd dream

no way I c

meaning it with every shat

nt vow to be the best fake Lu

ved noth

g our moment. He checked the

ogetically. "You two go ahead and l

tional state. "Actually, I think I left something in the car.

ned beautifully-the hardwood floors gleamed, the stone fireplace stood majestically in the gr

den, my fingers trailing along wal

ranged around a small stone fountain, my mother's pride and joy. I clos

changed muc

t v

Standing on the garden path was Jasper Lockw

g here?" I demanded, my voi

would come here eventually," he said softly. "Rose Heaven was always your greatest

words might have broken through every defense I had. O

rd the calcula

ice to stay calm. "And I don't want you showing up like this. W

was gone so quickly I almost thought I

ng a step closer. "Because

curled at

marr

You said that to hurt me. To punish me. I know you, Lina. You we

t know me

e sharpened. "Then

nt s

at I thought. There is no husband. There is only Alpha Adrian Storm and his daughter circling

about Chlo

her father bought your childhood home and handed it to you like a leash?" He came closer, a

m. It was the cruelty of hearing Chloe's name dra

thing about

ver her father tells her to do. She smiles, she flatters, she pretend

old wounds, and for one terrib

istook my pain for

ne wall beside the garden arch, not hard enough to injure me, but hard enough to trap

said, my voice

ed. "If you're really married, then to whom