nora

ed with a frantic need to explain. He reached for my hands,

listen to me. Kiley... that was in the past. And Finn...

word was a carefully rehearsed lie. His scent was a cocktail of hi

ightly. "A responsibility? A child is a responsibility?" I let my voice crack with anguish. "Jaxon, I

uspect I knew the whole truth. He pulled me into a hug, but my body remained stiff and unresponsive in his

una. Mrs. Slate requests your presence in the garden te

s mother. The matriarc

. "Come with me, Nora. In front of my mot

nother public execution - mine. "Alrigh

was laughing with Kiley, personally cutting a slice of cake for

e vanished. Her eyes swept over

d, giving the p

ttention back to Kiley. "Kiley, dear, you mus

logetic smile that didn't

is throat. "Mot

. "But Kiley has suffered out there, all alone, and she ha

condemnation of my fiv

't cry or rage. I simply pulled out a c

ea. "It is a great honor to provide the Alpha with an heir. Even if one must do so... fro

ing Kiley's "strength" while pointing out

s hardened. Jaxon stared at me,

y shrieked, "Don't you talk to my mommy! You

lashed across the back of my hand, instan

one f

, crying, "Finn, no! Apologize to Auntie Nor

you've done! You've frightened the child! How can you

e fake mother-son duo. I simply raised my

question for me: This is you 'handli

s face. He was trapped between his

t, Mother," I said, without a trace of heat. "It seems I have m

away, leaving him