he intensive care unit. My mind was still reeling from the abrupt transition, from Th

d over, hands clutching a paper cup of untouched coffee. She

she stood, pulling me into a desperate e

sked, fear clawi

s-a middle-aged human woman with kind eyes and

nd. "I'm Dr. Peterson. I've been

human reaction when touching a werewolf, even if they'd wor

grave. "Your father has been di

ted only werewolves, named for the way it eclipsed both human consciousness and wolf instinct,

"Eclipse Syndrome affects less tha

he characteristic degradation of the neural pathways that connect the human and wolf

pped an arm around her shoulders, try

?" I asked, forcing clinic

ite. There are experimental treatments that can slow the prog

at?" I

insurance. Without them, your father will deteriorate quickly. With them, we can keep

voice sounded hollow

nnual income, I felt the ground shift beneath my feet. My mother's g

assured her, the words

aught me to hunt, to track, to survive, reduced to a motionless figure in a hospital bed shattered something fundamental

es I had no idea how to keep. My wolf, still dormant from Adrian's rejec

needing a moment to breathe. The hallway swam before my eyes as the enormity of our situation crashed

nown number. I nearly declined the

amiliar, sent an unwelcome shiver down

ly at the Alpha level, had ways of monitoring what

I asked, too exhaust

Meet me at the coffee shop acro

. Every fiber of my being revolted at the thought of facing Adrian again, of asking anyth

He looked immaculate as always-tailored suit, perfectly styled hair, the Crescent Moon Pack insignia gli

ched between us, thick w

ly said, his voice clinicall

d silent,

n for a family of moderate means. For your mother, a single Omeg

age," I sa

ue eyes-once so beloved to me, calculating. "But I can help. I can cover all your father's me

oused it. Adrian never offered anythin

u do that?" I

e despite everything, I care about you, Claire. And just as you

. I braced m

ir between us. "After I marry Nicole

acid in my stomach. I stared at him

"Nicole and I have an arranged marriage. Political, beneficial to both packs

me to sleep with you while you're married to an

gets the care he needs. You get financial security. I get..." his eye

from me, the man I'd loved for three years, had planne

out stronger than

foolish. This is a generous offer. You

, standing abruptly. "I would rather wo

od luck with that, little Omega. You'll fin

tty intimidation. With my newly earned pharmaceutical degree and r

weeks proved h

me a position suddenly filled it internally. The research lab found my qualifications "im

application, made a phone call while I waited, then awkwardly informed me the

had imagined, reaching into every business large enough to provide the salary I needed

er had been moved to a long-term care facility that we could barely afford, receiving only the most basic trea

asked, setting a c

ad, too drain

ting beside me. "You've been running yourself ragged for weeks.

ruel proposal, his thinly veiled threat, the sy

s I spoke. By the time I finished, she was pacing ou

olf clearly close to the surface. "He thinks he can just ru

"Dad's getting worse. The basic care is already draining M

crossing her face. "You know... I might have an i

enough for anyt

urity at Wolf Elite,

different departments in there.

king for smart, attractive staff, and the tips ar

aitress? Or..." I hesi

And it's all werewolves, so the management is strict about harass

t know,

won't even believe. Plus, it's off the grid, Adrian can't go after you there. Cash

hospital bed. Of my mother's worn face as she c

do I

ave an interview tomorrow night. 9 PM sharp. I'll ask bo