e-the

naked and shivering. Annatoria knew it

slowly walked into the room, leaving the door wide open. Her husband, Radolf,

aced with bitterness and anger. Fear flash

here," he said coldly,

What!" The words echoed in he

Radolf replied, his words as cold as ice. To his

room?" she asked, her fists tightening at her sides. She wouldn't dare strike the Alpha, but the urg

nnatoria wouldn't tolerate it, not in their home. "Radolf, is this really w

smirk was infuriating, and without thinking, Annatoria slappe

of the slap. "Radolf?" she stammered, her hand pres

le. Annatoria turned an

, Jessica. "Come to my room," she ordered.

Annatoria instructed her to move Ernoulf's things to the room next to hers,

ught you knew." Annatoria looked up at her, her sorrow evident in her

a had already streaked down her face. "Thank you," she replied, trying to smile, but the expres

now," it urged. Annatoria nodded, dismissing Jessica. She was

nly one who won't judge you," Liana reass

ain, and as she was about to speak,

the matter?"

in a minute," Annatoria whispered, the sound

m a lullaby. He wasn't asleep yet, so Annatoria told him a story. His little eyes fluttered shut, and he insisted she sp

ting moment, she allowed herself to feel the comfort of his presence. But just as her heart began to calm, a sharp sound pierced the quiet-foot

a shadow loomed in the doorway. It wasn't Jessica. It wasn't a

sleep?" she wondered, her eyes

ispered, her voic

dable. His eyes lingered on her, then, as suddenly

hadn't done anything wrong. "Why're you here? Obviously n

you," Radolf muttered before

ve from the bed. Was this really happening? What did he mean by th

uldn't let Radolf take her son. Not now. Not ever. Her eyes dimmed, the weight of the

olf-the man who promised to always make her happy. Radolf was the best man she never i

it-the faintest of

an't es

he done to deserve his threats? Wh