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.

very difficult because they can’t actually see my nerve pathways. If they knick the wrong

truly would have

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

the pack, or if I was in worse condition. If I started to really lose it then I might attempt it anyway – because at that point I wouldn’t be doing the pack or Paisley any good by waiting. Luckily having

her

pretty devastated,’ I share grimly. “But it won’t be forever. If I don’t find a way to get better Paisley will be back with Jane and the other pups within the

afraid of having her around when you’re

she really didn’t give us an option. She’s a stubborn little thing.” I remark, unable to keep

counters dryly, taking a moment to let her words sink in. “How’s

misses them.” I relate, “but it gets a little easier

“You’ll let me know if you need

“Yes.” I promise.

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

my word.” I laugh. “Bye

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 what “right” is. The closest we came to actually being on the

I ask, my heart skipping a beat. My immediate thought is of Jane and the pups; has something happened? Am l just

from his armchair. “I have to tell you something, and

Matthew is still afraid of my temper despite my paralysis, but I hate the trepidation on his face. “Why, what’s wrong?” I demand. As strange as it seems, the scent of Matthew’s fear calms me slightly, telling me this isn’t about delivering

something.” Matthew confesses

you’re not going to

coaster of emotion. Worried then

everything on your own and 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

I snap, not

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