son'

y, my small suitcase beside me. I had made it out-actually walked away from

ssured me, her presence warm in my mi

hter around me. The street was deserted, not

app, desperately hoping for a driver nearby. No

utskirts of wolf territory at 1 AM? I tried

augh escap

e suggested. *She's

, I dialed her number.

me it is?" Bella's voice was thick

cking. "I left him. I left Lucian.

tence as headlights flared behind me,

n's car. My heart stopped as it slowed beside me,

as he going to try to drag me

ld make out Lucian's profile, his phone pressed to hi

ed my lips. Even now

Bella's concerned v

boundary of Storm territory, near

s. Sit tight, I'll be th

exactly fourteen minutes later. She threw open the passenger door an

e whispered fiercely into

tween pack boundaries was filled with her animated cursing

making her eyes flash a vibrant green as

knothead! I hope his dick falls of

I found myself laugh

a converted warehouse. Warm lights bathed the eclectic furniture, and the walls

by the spare bedroom. "It's not a mansion, but at

I whispered, gen

s tea and joined me on the couc

me what pushed you over the edge? I mean, I know you've l

s form as my hands trembled. "He was with

stuck in

hat, honey?" Bell

months along. I never told him because he was always too busy. And that day... th

formed from shock

, her wolf eyes blazing. "I'll kill him! I'll

r now," I said qu

nds. "Goddamnit, Ally, why do you always shoulder ever

was scared. And ashamed. I thought I could fix my marri

ion. "You can't fix something when you're the

the weight of everything that h

finally asked. "You know you ca

s at Starlight Care Center-you know, that s

problem? Him bei

aying," I admitted bitterly. "But my mother's care is paid up

! I always knew he was cold, but that's a new low. Did he offer to throw i

help the small lau

tically. "Just saying what eve

ail I'd received from Professor Jenkins. "I applied to the

d. "That's amazing!

em I needed time to...

ha husband?" Bella suppl

ngs," I agreed w

gainst mine, "here's to new beginnin

hoed, hoping I sounded mo