Jane

I’m practically skipping as I move through the hospital’s crowded hallways, eager to get to Ethan and tell him our news. I haven’t seen him since he came out of surgery, and l’m also anxious to hear how everything went. They wouldn’t tell me anything beforehand, but legally married or not, l’m his mate. I’m sure they would have told me if his condition was serious.

The TV’s at the nurses stations are all playing the news on an endless loop. Headlines about King Aimon’s death were quickly followed by reports of Southern Islanders celebrating in the streets. It seems his own people hated him almost as much as we did. Details about his death indicate that Ethan and I were involved, but so far everyone is reporting that Eric is expected to take the throne. Part of me wonders if that will mean I have to say goodbye to Linda, but I’m so happy for them both.

I’m just so elated this ordeal is finally over. We’re all free to be with the ones we love at long last, to start fresh and forge new adventurers with our families – hopefully without any of the danger and terror this time. The future is wide open and so bright it’s actually blinding-I can’t see anything past this joy and hope.

I’m still grinning when I reach Ethan’s room, relieved when I find him sitting up in bed. “You’re awake!”l exclaim, crossing the room and stealing a quick k!ss before settling on the edge of the bed. “How are you feeling?”

Ethan’s eyes rake over my body, taking in every bruise and bandage with the avid attention of a worried mate. He doesn’t respond to me until he’s finished his perusal, but l’m surprised when he meets my smile with an expressionless mask. “I’m fine, but Jane we need to talk.

“I know, I have news.” l announce, feeling positively giddy. “Are the pups with Linda?” As eager as l am to see them, I don’t want to tell them about the baby just yet.

“They are” He confirms stonily.

His curt manner and cold features send a river of ice through my veins. “ls something wrong?”

“I’m going to book flights for you and the pups to return home in the morning” Ethan replies.

This doesn’t make any sense. I can’t believe that Ethan would let us travel without him after everything that just happened. “What about you? Do you need to stay behind to help Eric or something? We can stay with you.

“No, you don’t understand” Ethan states simply.

ve gathered your things from the penthouse, I’ll arrange transportation to take you back

“You mean from the Dark Moon pack, so that we can move in with you at the

Ethan corrects, “I meant what l said the first

feel his forehead. “Are you still

a

l inquire, feeling

us – it isn’t

positively

“Ethan, I

fought. You promised me you’d leave me behind, and you didn’t. It made it abundantly clear that I can’t rely on

exclaim jumping

now. “I knew it before but I let myself be fooled by my wolf. But I see now it was always a lost cause. We don’t belong

that he’s hit his head and lost his memory, but he’s not acting concussed. He seems perfectly in control. “You can’t be serious! I protest, “you’ve been after me from the moment I

was interested in you when you came back to town,” Ethan confirms, “but everything since then has been a test to see if you can make

sudden, and I sink into the chair in the corner. “What about the pups? You can’t honestly want to

snarls, “At this stage it would be better if I started over with someone new, the pups already have so much of your defiance, I doubt

no way he’d ever give up the pups. He loves them more than anything. “Stop it now.

“l won’t take the pups from you, but I can’t have you in my life any longer. If that means

insist, tears burning in my eyes. “Why are you

the urge to bow down before him.”Be thankful for the pups. They’re the only reason l’m letting you go, rather

hiccup, “You can’t mean – “If l had my way you would be chained to my headboard and never released.” He cuts fiercely, “lf you don’t do as you’re told and leave now, I might

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