Ethan

“Ethan, if you’re going to do a bunch of grand gestures for Jane and make us take credit for them, you could at least warn us!” Linda scolds over the phone. “I mean the photo album was one thing, but now you’ve really taken it too far.

Honestly, her mortgage?”

“I assumed you would just tell her Eric feels so guilty for deceiving her all those years that he’s going overboard.” I reply.

“I did, but you have to admit it seems like a bit much – even for him!” Linda replies.

“Besides I’m not expecting you to take credit for everything – Devon agreed to say the babysitting service and personal gifts are from him.” I supply, smiling at the she-wolf’s indignation.

“And her company’s stock portfolio?” Linda gripes, “how are you going to explain that one?”

“Angel investors.” I answer easily. “It’s not like that’s out of the realm of possibilities after all – La Louve is the most profitable fragrance company on the market, any number of hedge funds would be thrilled to invest.”

“You know that this is crazy, right?” Linda grouses.

“She would so much rather have you, Ethan. Not to mention Paisley.”

“Believe it or not, I’ve heard all this from Matthew and Devon already.” I inform her stubbornly. “But I’ve made up my mind. I want the best for my family, and that’s not me.”

Linda sighs, a heavy, beleaguered sound that makes it clear she thinks I’m being completely unreasonable. “Are there any updates on your condition?” She asks after a moment. “I mean is the prognosis still terrible?”

“My doctors just told me about a potential surgery.”

I relate, somewhat reluctantly. “It’s risky, and if it goes wrong I could end up worse off than before. “

“Risky how?” Linda clarifies.

much fluid compressing my spinal cord that any surgery would apparently be very difficult because they can’t actually see my nerve pathways. If they knick the wrong thing then my

I truly would

body moving, the more the swelling would decrease? Is it possible to

if things were more stable with the pack, or if I was in worse condition. If I started to really lose it

still can’t believe that Jane let her go.”

Paisley will be back with Jane and the other pups within the year.” I can practically hear Linda wince. She hates listening to me talk

afraid of having her around when you’re in

little thing.” I remark, unable to

father’s daughter.” Linda counters dryly, taking a moment to

a little easier

breathes. “You’ll let me

“Yes.” I promise.

me before you decide to -I don’t know, buy Jane a castle and sign

have my word.” I laugh. “Bye

hang up, I finish getting ready for the day, drop Paisley off at school and head for the pack headquarters. However when I arrive, I find Matthew waiting outside my office, looking very nervous indeed. Things have been tense between us lately. He understands my determination to do right by the pack and my family with whatever time I have left, but I know he disagrees with me about

beat. My immediate thought is

it. He slowly rises from his armchair. “I have to tell you something, and

I demand. As strange

something.” Matthew

you’re not going to

my eyes, feeling as though I’m on a roller coaster of emotion. Worried then calm, now near panicked that Matthew might have betrayed my confidence. “What?

on your own and it simply isn’t working. You were a different man when Jane was here, and I understand why

did you do?” I snap, not liking the direction

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