hea's own features. It wasn't obvious at first glance, but there was someth

. To Patrick, she had been noth

why three years ago, after just one look, he'd

her, Marcia Adams, greeted them,

r to Rhea, a hint of

ve her a p

gently patting Amy's shoulder.

over Rhea's face, showing no surprise. It was a

eyes filling with tears. Her v

a few extra sleeping pills. My mom overreacted and rushed me to t

early the whole bottle! If I hadn't found you in time, you wou

of Amy's bed, gazing at her wit

omething like th

with tears, and nodded obediently,

rom her eyes, his movements so tender that he seemed to be h

chest. In three years of marriage, he

e between love and...

doned him in his darkest

oat, and she couldn't sta

going

at her, his expression unrea

k a deep

ly staying together for now to av

nce and turned to leave, her composure slipping

osed, Amy looked

her, Patrick. She l

k hesi

be mad. She

omposed and graceful. So unlike what you'd expect from a s

owned, unc

randmother were teachers, and her grandfather was a sacred were

I s

ilent, the conve

sly, "Rhea's beautiful and kind.

his phone, momentarily dis

mmed with dis

, and it's dangerous for h

tood

ff and come back

e was soft

ut, her expres

of sight, Marcia

t him to come. Why l

frow

about Rhea the entire time. If I'd forced him to s

er head, click

ever for your

trance. In the cold spring night, her slender figure stood ou

ied to

e, side by side, thro

cab, he reached out, catching her by the

d out a card from his bag and slip

ht. Consider this an apolog

he was someone he could easily brush off with mo

his warmt

r pocket, ready to

down firmly. His voice

nothing else to g

and, each grain rubbing painfully. Money

drive, Patrick's pho

e straight back? Get home

here," he repli

d Diane slumped on the sofa, looking pale but with an inte

her hand. "

, and she quickly found

up, Diane's vo

unless it's necessary. You ended things with him three years ag

ended the call and tossed th

s brow f

ression. You can't

scof

doesn't concern you. Your fo

s eyes d

ndma

mouth as she began

, where she soothed Diane until she was se

one down on the bedside table,

ch and placed it between them on the bed. She fetched a

ree in the morning, and exhaustion had turned her mind to mus

it the pillow, she fe

in through the window, and she opened her ey

ir faces so close she could feel

smouldering, filled with a

nestled against his chest, her arms arou

d her wolf instincts kicked in, the bond stirrin

way, practically scram

sed, she stammered, "W