's

There was still a lot to prepare, and first on my list was making sure the divorce papers would go through smoothly. If Damon ever found out I was

. The bright lights in the living ro

in, Sylvia, standing side by side. And in front

of panic, but he slapped his perfect Alpha mask on fast enough that anyo

one gentle as ever, like everything that happened this a

servants standing nearby. None of them looked away. Instead, they watched with this q

a polite smile, acting as if I hadn't alr

new tutor I hired for Leo. You know how busy we've been with pack matters. Leo needs proper care. And S

a convenient

d like it was the most natural thing in the world. Then he turned, giving me a look full of challenge

ough fevers all night. I'd shielded him when others questioned

ked at me with

ur mother like that!" Damo

hing, he got bolder. "Grandma said she's a cursed O

er of my eye, I caught Sylvia's lips curling into a smug little smile

w she was nicer. She should be

s voice. He strode toward me, reaching as if to pull me into

and steady, not loud at all, but it was

aring that tone from me. I'd always been the gentle on

ight now. But before the divorce is fina

a stiff smile. "I just feel filthy. I don't wa

e exhaled, relieved, and flicked my nose the way he always did.

who got manipulated for four years, fed birth-control

st. I'll take care of your mom. She lo

ce suddenly felt like a fantastic idea. Why

huge with just the tw

asking you?" Damon asked carefully, lacing his fingers with mine. H

've been his mother for four years, but somehow Sylvia managed to get him wrapped around her finger in o

ly, firm and absolute. "Ava, you're Leo's mother

ke he was swe

ughed, should

?" Damon asked,

d at his perfectly sculpted face. "It's ju

s and headed upstairs. "I'm

" he offered, foll

a soft, reassuring smile. "I'm okay. A goo

e Ava he thinks he can control w

an over my skin, but somehow it felt like I was standing naked in a snowstorm. The woman st

er his arm. He wrapped his arms around me from behind, resting hi

voice dropped low, smooth and tempting

at used to make my heart flip. No

hing, anything, when Sylvia's voice s

ays he can't sleep. He wants yo

his hold on me without even blinking. No he

and involuntary. Just hang on, Ava

silky robe that left almost nothing to the imagination, her eyes dripping with smug challeng