r reclaiming his territory after a long hibernation. When he was under the sedation

ite, shutting the Alpha's icy aura inside. She looked at me-the

to the living; he's not ready to accept a bonded partner he didn't choose. Let's get you settled i

pent months bracing for his funeral, never once

g. After the way Ethan had looked at me-like I was a parasite-I knew my time i

ath, leave it. I'll retrieve your things

. "Are you... are

she replied simply. "He is formidable, yes, but he

ber eyes and felt the weight of his "Get him out" command. My life

, Patricia moved my belon

is already at the table. You should join him. You're

d in a 'getting to know you'

a soft spot for you," Patricia encouraged. "

motorized chair. His muscle memory was returning; his arms were already showing the corded stre

gs. Ethan didn't utter a word, but I could feel h

rker," I stammered, trying to

is sharp features. His voice was a low, indifferent rasp. "

mersault. I lost my

al extraction or a phar

trade deal. The blood drained from my face. I was a person to the r

ing protocol. "The heir was Margaret's dir

snapped, his eyes flashing gold. Patricia

-" I s

u leave to u

by a spark of irritation. "What should I

ening with a dangerous heat. Before he could unl

. Ask Patricia or the cleaning staff if you don'

tomach actually ached from the stress, so I forced myself to shovel down a few b

voice dropping to a glacial temperature. "

ack. "Are we going t

dical wing with a spike in her blood pressure from t

o sign," I said, retreatin

nutes later, I saw a familiar

tray dog expecting a kick, stand

iarch, so they sent me to check on your recovery," Mason s

eyes toward one of his enforcers. Without a word, the

Those are top-tier vitamins! If

ked the back of Mason's knees, forcing hi

cold, but seeing him treat his own blood li

ing between his fingers. A guard lit it instantl

year and he was already drinking caffeine an

urse I'm happy... I always s

the murderous intent was vibrating through the room. "You thought I wouldn't

ulder. "Get out. If you scent this air again before

on fire. I didn't wait around for Ethan to turn that

cle" hadn't been a cycle at all. It was just

ultrasound. An hour later, the healer handed m

there was... was a tiny, glowing sp

nt. With the

y voice was a frantic whisper. I was days away from a d

you? Do you know how rare it is for a shattered Alpha's lin

ically single

er is happening between you and the father, the cub is innocent of it." She handed me my file. "Given the

e of my fear. "What do I

some lad; this baby will be stunning. If you want to keep it,

legs feeling like lead. I was lost. I couldn't tell Etha

ost the franchise and the house, my mother, Natalie Brooks, had moved in with her

ed in. "I heard you brought a truckload of gifts to your father's place

. I'll make it up

o the curb. I heard the King is awake. If he actually liked you

y mom stepped in. "Victor, that's enough. Ev

member whose roof is over your head. If

d no idea things were

" I said firmly. "I have some cr

I stayed because Grandpa Elio was sick and needed

cab, I looked at her. "Victor was right about on

"It's okay. You can fo

houlder. I couldn't tell her about th

ess that night, it was deathly sile

. I also got you those... supplie

tricia. Is

fices. The healers told him to stay in be

the reality of the child growing inside

desperate to avoid another icy confrontation. Patricia knoc

translation gig for you. It's a heavy manual for a hockey equipment manu

to pay for it myself. I finished the work by 11:30 a.m., but as I went

ve a deadline! Is there another compu

r Ethan's i

to ice. "I can

an is a hard man, but he understands bus

d myself that since Ethan was technically the father, using

e tobacco. I sat at the desk and hit the power button. I braced myself for a