“She’s so little. Just a few weeks old.” A tremble started in my shoulders, working down to my fingertips. “Arabesque didn’t even name her. She just left her in my arms like she was nothing more than a burden.”
The weight of Josslyn’s absence settled in my chest, heavy and aching, like a stone I couldn’t dislodge. I stared at my hands, tracing the lines on my palms as if they could lead me back to her.
“I named her Josslyn after Mama. It felt right.” My vision blurred, and I blinked hard, refusing to let the tears fall. “She’s all I have left of Papa, even if sheishalf Arabesque’s. I couldn’t let her grow up in that house. Arabesque would’ve used her, twisted her into something evil, and I wasn’t going to let that happen. If I couldn’t save myself, at least I could saveher.”
Brumous nudged my knee with his nose. I looked up to find three pairs of eyes burning with intensity, Koa’s teeth grinding, Zane’s face hard and cold, Casimir’s military-straight posture leaning forward like a predator catching a scent.
“Father said you had an audience with King Julian before you arrived here,” Casimir said, and one look in his green eyes told me he already knew the answer to the question he wasn’t asking.
“Mama was part of the Royal pack. Always spoke highly of the Hemmings family. I didn’t know anyone else I dared to trust.” My thumb twitched, remembering tiny fingers clinging to it. “Queen Lilahchose the parents herself. The king swore they’re experts at protection, and the queen promised they’ll raise her with love.”
“You shipped the squirt off to werewolf witness protection.” Zane’s hand found mine, and his thumb caressed my knuckles. “Gold star for you, sunshine.”
“We can retrieve her.” Casimir’s chair creaked as he stood. “Tonight. Bring her here—”
“No,” I said softly. “She’s safe wherever she is. Being with me, she’d have an even bigger target on her. I won’t risk that. And I couldn’t do that to her new parents, whoever they are.”
Koa crossed the space between us in two strides and dropped to his knees at my feet. His arms enveloped me, a fortress of muscle and ragged breath. I buried my face in his shoulder, greedily inhaling his mate scent.
“You magnificent, infuriating creature,” he murmured into my hair. “Sacrificing your heart to guard hers.”
“Your father would be proud, Seri.” Casimir laid a hand on my shoulder. “As are we. You acted with honor and foresight. Not many would sacrifice their freedom for another’s safety.”
Heat flooded my cheeks at the gruff praise. Koa released me, and Zane’s thumb brushed away the tear I hadn’t felt escaping. As Brummy wormed his head onto my lap, I buried my shaking fingers in his scruff, and the knot behind my sternum loosened just enough to breathe.
“Well, darling, at least you gotusoutta the deal.” Zane winked. “Three dashing husbands and an emotional support dire wolf. Not a bad haul, all things considered.”
“And you don’t need to worry about Arabesque anymore, sweet girl,” Koa added as he stood. “We’re not going to let her near you.Ever.”
I wanted to believe him, I really did, but the nagging fear coiled in my belly, unwilling to let go.
“But what if she finds a way? What if she—”
“She won’t,” he decreed, “but even if she did the impossible and managed to drag you back to that fang-rotted place, we’d come for you. We willalwayscome for you.”
The finality in his voice made me shiver, but it wasn’t fear I felt. It was something good, something solid and real.
Then, “Josslyn’s the baby Brumous mentioned,” Casimir said out of the blue, confusing me.
“What? Brummytalkedto you, Simmy?”
“Not him.Me.” Zane’s smirk turned almost apologetic. “Brum and I had a little chat. He showed me some of his memories.”
My eyes widened, and I looked down at Brumous, whose tongue lolled, dripping drool on my pant leg.
“You can talk to him? Like, in his mind?”
“Yeah, it’s a thing I can do.” Zane shrugged, leaning back.
“I was asking Brummy,” I clarified, tearing my eyes away from the pup’s gaze to look at Zane. “Why can he talk to you and not me?”
“Zane has the gift of telepathy from his maternal side,” Koa explained as he returned to his chair.
“And don’t worry,” Zane added. “He was cool with it. Right, Mr. Fuzz?”
Brumous blinked twice, wagging his tail like he was confirming the story.
“Well, as long as he agreed and it didn’t hurt him, I guess it’s fine,” I said, still in awe of Zane’s talent.
