y been a few days, but Patrick looked thinner, his features even sharper than

d him, painfully so, and fo

nding her a small, elega

ift for you

e. The stone was rare and valuable, a precious sacred werewo

head, offering

gift. Why'd you get me

softly, his gaz

nd some of those pieces come from tombs. This

, his fingers brushed the back of her nec

through her, ech

ys sensitive

e forced a polite smile. "Maybe don'

ll had feelings for her. They stirred up danger

g wheel, his tone casual. "It's just a

irty minutes later, they arrived

andmother, Diane Fabian, hobbled over to the

ssed you so much t

ne was being a bit

e, you said you had somet

nd and shot Patri

r first. We'll ta

vagant-a table f

t Rhea, her ey

lace, but thank goodness he had you, his fated mate, to help him. Since y

overed her mouth, overc

er side, gently

Diane took Rhea's hand, loo

ess those first two years, snapping at everyone, driving out any nurse or helper we hired. But

h tears, and Rhea quick

tightened, his gaze deepe

nly wish now is to see you and Patri

f embarrassment and

old Diane they were

oice grew

much longer I have? I just want

quickly said, "Diane, you're goi

er chest, brea

s old, I am. My heart's been weak for years." S

y went to help

om door, Diane suddenly

stay here. Once Rhea is pre

t Diane was already shuffling into the room,

ng careful not to press too

settled, she to

. Don't worry. As long as I'm here, there w

ut

ot fit to be the future Luna of the Fabian Wolfpack. I've never bought into that ridiculous elf-werewolf myth. I've l

ly moved by D

lfpacks still held prejudices against them. Pure-blood werewolves preferred

ons. He had always looked down on Rhea and had hoped that once Patrick recovered, he would reunite wit

len asleep, Rhea qu

energy returning in full force-quite the

and Patrick returne

as closed, Rhea

e really supposed to s

ned, looseni

o upset her. We'll stay for a f

k at the single

bed. How are we

curved into a

ur eyes

rting to ge

ser

h, setting it on the bedside tabl

in

kly washed her face, brushed he

uldn't come. Her mind spun with thoughts-about their impending divorce,

bedside table, began to ring. Rhea ignored

fter a few rings.

een, she saw it was

icate voice asked, "Rhe

's t

then said, "I'm...

the shower. I'll tell

nk y

hair with another. His shoulders were broad, his abs chisel

he could feel her cheeks warming a

of yours

," and picked up his phone b

ssion was dark, his jaw cle

ed, confus

l herself. What d

for a moment. Then s

ust said she was a friend, so I

e opened the closet, pulling out

he strode

out, asking, "Where are you goi

pital. I'm going

ice, calling to Rhe

go wi

iane's word

grabbing her coat and

said, "You can just

take his eyes

Explain to Amy

wasn't one to seek conflict, but she had her limi

Patrick reached over, r

epression. Please

s lying in bed, her face pale, her hair a tangled m

y saw her face,