“I went straight back to the pack house. I knew you weren’t safe with your sister, and I didn’t know what else to do. Saints, Juniper, I felt so fucking helpless.”
“But you left.” My voice cracks. “You went back to San Francisco, right?”
He ducks his head. “I did. I had only been back at the pack house for a few minutes when I got the call.”
“No,” I whisper, my voice hoarse. “Your mom, is she…”
“She’s doing better now, but when her oncologist called me, he didn’t think she’d live to see the new year. She’s out of the woods, for now.”
I let out a shuddering sigh.
“It’s all thanks to your new mate and his father. Cassian had her airlifted to Saint Marmora’s Hospital, and Douglas has been coming around every day to check on her. Juniper, she’s under the care of the best physicians and oncologists in the world now, with all of these new trials and treatments available that she never could have gotten out west. I… I’ll never be able to thank Cassian enough.”
“You’ve been at the hospital all this time,” I realize.
“My mom finally kicked me out today.”
At my stricken look, he laughs, that deep rumble that soothes me down to my very soul. “No, not like that. My mom and I are actually better than ever. But I haven’t been the most pleasant company since I left you. When I didn’t hear from you, I… didn’t take it well. Mom said I was moping, but alphas definitely don’t mope.”
I can’t help my smile. “You moped for me.”
“Maybe a little.”
His bashful admission makes my belly flip, and it makes me yearn for something I can never have.
But saints above, I’m so glad just to have Marcus back that I don’t even care. My whole world feels right again, all because my ex-honor guard has returned to me.
* * *
When we goto meet my father the following afternoon, I’m well protected. All of Cassian’s alpha fathers join us at the downtown Fairhaven offices of the private law firm that represents high-profile clients, including Pack Leclerc, and they lounge casually in a small sitting area outside the stately conference room where Cassian and I will be meeting with my father. They may appear relaxed, but each is ready to come to our aid and defend us should we need it.
It’s Cassian and Marcus who bring me the greatest comfort, though. Cassian sits at my side, holding one of my hands in both of his. I’m so anxious I can barely breathe, but he’s calm. Optimistic.
“Should Juniper’s father attempt to hex or otherwise harm either of you, do I have your consent to subdue him?” Marcus asks quietly, peering through the blinds along the room’s glass walls.
“With the minimal amount of force necessary,” Cassian cautions.
“Juniper?” Marcus prompts. “I have no desire to harm your father if it will make this harder for you, but protecting you is my only concern.”
He’s not Luca, my vengeful, brutal alpha who protects me with his fists, but his clarification is telling enough. He has no compunctions about harming my father but wouldn’t dare do anything that might risk my safety or the success of this meeting.
I nod, not trusting my voice.
Two alpha lawyers knock at the conference room door and enter when Marcus permits them. One, an older alpha man who looks as though he could be just as severe as he is sweet, claps Cassian on the shoulder.
“Cassian, I’m thrilled to see you so happily mated. Both of you have my congratulations.” He offers his hand to me as he introduces himself, and I shake it weakly.
“I’ve known Cassian since he was knee high,” he tells me with a bright smile. “And now he’s mated! How time flies.”
The other lawyer, an alpha woman who looks to be Willow’s age, has none of the older alpha’s softness. She’s all business, sharp and severe. Saints, she looks downright predatory. Vicious. The type of lawyer who won’t hesitate to spear my father on a legal technicality if she finds one. I like her immediately.
She sets a few contracts in front of me and Cassian and walks us through the finer points of each, but I’m too nervous to follow what she says. Thankfully, Cassian is attentive and asks all the right questions. When the duo gives us the room, he’s so confident that some of my own doubt burns away.
At least until Marcus announces my father’s arrival, his lawyer and my eldest brother in tow.
“What on earth is Aspen doing here?” I murmur, my voice shaking.
“He’s here to intimidate you. Your father knows you’re scared of him,” Cassian says evenly. “He won’t be allowed within ten feet of you. Saints help me, after what he said to you at Yule, if he so much as lays a hand on you, he’s losing it.”
