Chapter 26

Ella

The following morning, I woke to the sound of water running. I cracked one eye open first, then the other, and realized that Alexander was nå lenger sleeping beside me.

Yesterday’s memories, still too fresh for comfort, washed over me. The kiss, the bitterness, the awful things we’d said to each other before bed. But pushed the negative feelings down and sat up, rubbing sleep from my eyes as the shower shut off in the other rooms.

A moment later, the bathroom door opened, and Alexander stepped out with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets clung to his chest, sliding down the planes of his muscles before disappearing beneath the towel.

I quickly looked away, cursing my body for responding to the sight. For five years I had yearned to share a bed with this man, and now I couldn’t wait for this phase to end if only because it was a constant reminder just how instinctively my body reacted whenever i was close to him.

“Morning,” Alexander said, crossing to his closet. “Sophia and her parents are coming by today.”

I stiffened slightly. “What? Why?”

“To discuss the bonfire incident and the contract leak.”

“Oh. When are they getting here?”

“About an hour.”

I was a little chagrined that he hadn’t told me sooner, but nodded and slipped out of bed, hurrying past Alexander while his back was turned.

By the time I emerged from the shower a little while later, he was gone. I picked out a simple blouse and a skirt, then made my way downstairs with a little time to spare—just enough time for a cup of coffee.

But to my surprise, voices were already drifting from the sitting room.


I entered to find Sophia perched on the sofa. On either side of her sat her parents, Alpha John and Luna Helen Oxford of Moonshine pack.

Alpha John was a tall, distinguished man with salt–and–pepper hair and a neatly trimmed mustache that curled up on the ends. Luna Helen was slim and elegant, with the same brunette hair as her daughter, although hers was shot through with silver.

None of them looked at me as I entered.

Alexander was standing by the fireplace. Gabriel leaned against the windowsill, his arms folded across his chest.

I took a seat in an armchair across from them, keeping my expression neutral. I knew exactly how this would go. Sophia was their precious, perfect daughter. They’d spoiled her rotten her entire life, indulging her every whim and excusing her worst behavior.

They wouldn’t believe she was capable of anything truly malicious.

“Now that we’re all here, let’s get started,” Alexander began, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a delicate necklace with a single pearl on it and held

at the bonfire site, near where the rogue appeared. There’s rogue blood and fur

of the necklace. Luna Helen gasped, her hand flying to her own pearl necklace that she always

would recognize the necklace Alexander was

was Sophia’s. She wore

are you suggesting?” Alpha

Chapter 20


involved with the rogus attack at

silent. Sephia’s eyes filled with tears, her lower lip trembling. It was a

to my surprise, her parents didn’t immediately jump to her defense. Alpha John turned to his

slid down her cheek. “It was just supposed

help it–t

turned to me. Alpha John’s gaze was particularly sharp. “Something to add,

my lap to keep from strangling Sophia. All I could think about was that little girl who had almost been mauled. The little girl who would have been mauled had I not distracted the rogue. “A prank, Sophia? Really? You expect us to believe that? That rogue nearly

happened to her.” Sophia sat up straighter. “You saved her, didn’t

right. That was a very dangerous and stupid prank, Sophia. You’re lucky I even let you set foot in my house

head toward Alexander, completely taken by surprise. Had he

stood on my side

was low and dangerous again. “Apologize

a contrite expression. “I’m so sorry, Alpha Alexander. Luna Ella. It was


silence after that, punctuated only by Sophia’s occasional sniffles. Frankly, I thought she was fucking lying. I didn’t think she was sorry at all,

see someone get

now, not with her parents prepared to jump to her

stood. “Now that that’s

Alexander said,

“As you know, there

shake of her head. “How awful. A

a witness, an older couple came to the news agency to leak

John’s face hardened, while Luna Helen’s hand flew to the pearl

of something, Alpha Alexander?” Alpha John asked softly. There was something

simply stating what was reported

been allied with Ashclaw for generations. Our families have been

you and our daughter have


Chapter 26

to ask. Surely

know us, Alex. We would never do anything to hurt

you were young!” Helen clicked her tongue. “Alex, dear, you mustn’t blame us for them, or the late help you find out who

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