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.

see my nerve pathways. If they knick the

then I truly would

keep your body moving, the more the swelling would decrease? Is it possible to keep up the physical therapy so the swelling decreases enough to make the surgery

I think that’s what I have to do anyway – I might be willing to risk the surgery if things were more stable with the pack, or if I was in worse condition. If I started

Jane let her go.” Linda

to get better 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 about my possible death so matter-of-factly, but I don’t see any benefit in ignoring reality. That won’t help

around when

She’s a stubborn little thing.” I

daughter.” Linda counters dryly, taking a moment to let her words sink in.

“but it gets a little easier every day, and they talk on the phone

“You’ll let me know if you need

“Yes.” I promise.

-I don’t know, buy Jane a castle and sign my name on the card?” She

have my word.” I laugh.

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

My immediate thought is of Jane and the pups; has something

it. He slowly rises from his

wrong?” I demand. As strange as it seems, the scent of Matthew’s fear calms me slightly, telling me this isn’t about delivering bad news, but something

did something.” Matthew

going to like

Worried then calm, now near panicked that Matthew might have

it simply isn’t working. You were a different man when Jane was here, and I understand why you couldn’t let her Stay, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get help from

not liking the direction

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