a

hose incompetent Frostfang wolves hadn't provided a single usefu

't used to being out of control. As Alpha of the Blackwood Pack, the most power

is true mate if his wolf was right

rom the doorway. He leaned casu

ow. "Nothing wo

idered reje

d a scandal at her back wa

gged her and taken her place that n

before he could ask. No

had refused every

elf a glass of Kaius's bourbon and took a sip.

imself to calm down, rolling his shoulders to r

had been un

oice, the warmth of her breath against his skin. If she had con

lied. She might

he was h

't run from what was

ne a proper ma

tercom

Cara of the Frostfang Pack requests an audience.

ster. Maybe they had

er in.

na Cara stepped inside. Two

eld in her arms. A small bund

itely. Her voice was smooth and diplomati

yes locked on the small bundle.

he blanket. A sleeping baby lay inside. Brown hai

aius stiffened, his hand twitching at his side. H

nfirmed. "Born to Juliet

on unreadable. He had been lied to

doctor stepped out from the shadow

. It didn't reach her eyes.

private lab. The results were on the scre

. But instead, his chest felt

vitals. Good weight. But. no scent. That's rare

s narrowed.

nod. "Completely neutral.

d cradled in his arms. The boy stirred, the

But he was still Kaius

n to build power. He would raise th

cent, this ch

? Why hadn't Jul

to find Luna Cara waiting, her expression

. You've proven marginally useful-fo

ers nervously smoothing a non-existent wrinkl

ded rehearsed, like a press release delivered to a grieving public. "The labor was difficult.

Kaius like a

im, a sound so filled with grie

fore he'd even had the

her eyes held a calculating gleam that bel

g the child as an anchor against the stor

uld never see the woman who had haunted his dreams

Frostfang Pack's records, and the few that

story rang false, but he cou

voice dangerously soft. "The

red. "We were hoping to discuss the continued alliance between our packs. Perhaps

sider every deal, every trade route, and every security pact

e vanished. "But

is shadow falling over her, "that I don't bur

outh as if to protest,

retreated, the heavy oak doors clos

ereabouts. And I want surveillance on the Frostfang Pack doubled. Put a tail on Cara. I

still be alive? " E

he delicate curve of his cheek with one finger. "I don't know,"

g afternoon light. The child's eyes fluttered open-gold

ress release. The Blackwood Pack has an heir, and I will be raising him

ius held him closer, making a silent promise-to his son, to h

ered. "I don't care if I have to t