Such a precious child.
Such a precious gift.
I made my decision silently.
Tomorrow, I'd talk to Anna about leaving.
The penalty for breaking the contract was high, but there was room to negotiate. I could try for remote work, try to keep my job. But if they refused, I'd work my hardest in the future to pay back what I owed.
As long as I could leave Baltimore.
Leave this mess behind.
Leave Kayden Blackwood.
I adjusted my position carefully to let Kai sleep more comfortably, then reached over and turned off the bedside lamp. In the darkness, I closed my eyes as hot tears slid from the corners again, disappearing into my hair.
I was walking an impossibly difficult path.
But as long as I was alive, as long as Kai was with me, when tomorrow came, when the sun rose again, everything would be okay.
It would be. It had to be.
Morning came with my phone ringing.
When I opened my eyes, Kai was still asleep, his little face buried in the pillow, sleeping soundly. Sunlight filtered through the curtain gaps, casting gentle light across his face.
I carefully felt for my phone and checked the caller ID—Anna.
Why was she calling at this hour?
I glanced at the clock. Only six-thirty.
Dread settled in my gut.
I slipped carefully out of bed and walked to the living room before answering.
"Hello?" I kept my voice low.
"Ella!" Anna's voice was rushed and panicked, nothing like her usual calm. "Check the news! Now!"
"What?"
"Someone leaked that you're a homewrecker!" Anna's voice broke. "It's all over social media, there are photos! God, Ella, what the hell is going on?!"
My mind went blank.
The phone nearly slipped from my hand.
Chapter Twelve
Kayden
In the Elder Council's meeting room, firelight danced in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across every weathered face.
"Alpha, you're thirty-four years old now." Drake held his teacup, speaking in that patronizing elder's tone. "You need to fulfill your duty and choose—"
"I know." I cut him off, fingers absently tracing the carved wolf's head on the armrest.
