E

A creak in the floorboards behind me made me jerk my head up to find Alexander standing in the doorway, looking at me with a strange expression.

I quickly wiped my eyes with the back of my hand and forced a smile, hoping he hadn’t seen me crying. “Alex- Alpha Alexander. What do you need?”

Alexander stared at me for a moment longer, green eyes flickering with something I couldn’t decipher, then let out a sigh that made his shoulders sag. He looked even more exhausted than before.

“I…” He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. “Nothing. I’m going mad, I think. This whole week has been…”

He didn’t finish the sentence, but my heart ached for him nheless. Despite everything, he had still lost his Luna and been left with a child all on his own. I couldn’t help but pity him for that.

“You should sit down,” I said, gesturing to the chair across from me. “You look like you haven’t slept in days.”

“I haven’t.” Alexander slumped into the chair. “I thought I’d be up for tonight’s banquet, but all the mingling and small talk and politics are making myck of sleep catch up to me.” fnfd5f ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? FindN()vel/fnfd5f

I stood and propped Lucien on one hip. “Let me make you something. Warm milk with honey–it might help you sleepter.”

“You don’t need to-b” /b

“It’s no trouble,” I said, pulling a mug from the cab. “Really.”

I warmed the milk on the stove, stirring in a generous spoonful of honey. The familiar ritual was soothing, reminding me of nights when Lilith had made the same drink for me during my pregnancy when the nausea and back pain became too much to handle.

Lucien had finished his bottle and was starting to drift off in my arms. I bounced him gently as I carried the mug over to Alexander.

But as I went to hand him the cup, my foot caught on the leg of the chair, and I stumbled forward. I prioritized my grip on Lucien, so the mug slipped from my hand, and hot milk sshed everywhere–across the table, onto the floor, and all over Alexander’s expensive ck suit.

“Oh, Goddess,” I gasped once I realized what I’d done. “I’m so sorry, Alpha. I’m so sorry. Let me clean it up.” “Ste.” Alexander stood up slowly, milk still dripping from his shirt. “It’s fine.”

But I was already on my knees, dabbing at the spilled milk on the floor with a dish towel clutched in my shaking hand. This couldn’t happen. I couldn’t lose this job. I couldn’t lose my chance to be near my son.

“Please, Alpha, I’m so clumsy, I don’t know what happened-”

“Ste.” Alexander’s hand closed around my wrist and stopped my frantic cleaning. “Stop.”

I looked up at him from where I was kneeling on the floor, still holding Lucien against my chest with one barm/b. Alexander’s green eyes were soft, not angry like I’d expected. He helped me to my feet with his hand still wrapped around my wrist.

We stood there for a moment, close enough that I could smell his famir scent of bourbon and woodfire smoke beneath the sweet smell of spilled milk. Close enough that I could see the flecks of gold in his green eyes. Close enough that if I leaned forward just a little…

My throat bobbed. This was dangerous territory.

I went to pull away, needing to put some space between us, but Alexander held fast to my wrist. My eyes widened as I looked up at him and saw recognition in his gaze.

“You look so much like her,” he whispered.

My stomach dropped. “Like who?” I asked. But of course I already knew the answer.

“My wife. E.” Alexander’s grip on my wrist tightened slightly. “The resemnce is… uncanny. Are you rted to her somehow? Cousins, perhaps?”

I forced myself to meet his gaze, even though every instinct screamed at me to look away. “No, Alpha. We’re not rted.”

“Are you certain? The bone structure, the way you move…” Alexander tilted his head, studying me. “Even your scent is simr.”

Panic wed at my insides. If Alexander kept digging, kept asking questions, would he figure out the truth? And if he did, what would happen to him? To Lucien?

“I’m certain,” I said firmly. “Some people just look alike, I suppose.”

Alexander stared at me for another long moment, then finally released my wrist. “I suppose they do.” He stepped back and looked down at his ruined suit. “I should change before returning to the banquet.”

“Of course. Again, I’m so sorry about-”

“It’s fine, Ste. idents happen.” Alexander paused at the door. “Bring Lucien back to the banquet hall in fifteen minutes. It’s almost time for the ceremony.”

After he left, I sank back into the chair, my legs suddenly too weak to support me. That had been too close. Much too close.

Lucien stirred in my arms, and I looked down at his sweet face. One green eye, one blue, half and half of his parents. “We have to be more careful, little one,” I whispered. “Your father is too smart for his own good.”

Fifteen minutester, I slipped back into the banquet hall with Lucien in my arms. The crowd had gathered near the front of the room, where a small tform had been set up. Alexander stood at the center, no longer wearing his milk–stained suit. He’d changed into a fresh ck jacket and tie, still looking every inch the powerful Alpha King.

“Thank you all for being here tonight,” Alexander began. “As you know, this has been a difficult time for our pack. We’ve lost someone very dear to us.”

A murmur went through the crowd. I spotted Sophia near the front, her eyes fixed on Alexander with an intensity that made my skin crawl. I tried not to look at her.

“But tonight, we also celebrate new life,” Alexander continued. “Tonight, I name my son, Lucien, as my heir and future Alpha of Ashw.”

The room erupted into cheers and apuse. I found myself smiling despite everything as Alexander took Lucien and held him up. The cheers exploded further as he held Lucien for all to see.

“Lucien will be raised to serve this pack with honor and strength,” Alexander said. b“/bbTo /bprotect our people and uphold our values. And when the timees, he will lead Ashw into the future.”

More apuse. I wiped away a tear as I watched my son being formally recognized as the heir. Whatever else happened, at least Lucien’s future was secure.

But then Sophia’s parents stepped forward, and my smile faded.

“Congrattions, Alexander,” John said. “The boy is strong. He’ll make a fine Alpha.”

“Thank you.”

“However,” Helen added, “there is the matter of the pack’s future leadership structure. A young heir needs guidance. He needs a Luna.”

“E was a wonderful Luna,” John continued. “But she’s gone now, and the pack needs stability. Lucien needs a mother figure.”

“The council has expressed simr concerns,” another voice called out from the crowd. “An Alpha without a Luna creates…plications.”

Alexander nodded. “I understand the concerns. And I’ve given this matter considerable thought.”

My stomach dropped as he turned to address the entire room. “Therefore, I am also announcing that Ashw. will be hosting a Luna Trial to select my next Luna.”