Chapter 87

This couldn't be happening. Anna buried her face in her hands, still struggling to absorb everything Noah had said straight to her face without even a hint of shame. A strategic retreat, he had said. Cutting their losses. And then when it was all over, reporting to Gold Nation and the Union Court that the battle had been bravely fought but lost anyway.

He was supposed to be her new life. He was vain sometimes and reminded her a little too closely of how she had been before Beth had snapped sense into her at the birthday party at long last, but he was her husband, her mate.

He was gentle and encouraging and never looked down on her even when she discovered there was so much in domestic life she was unskilled at, and it was because of him, too, that she had been able to grow.

She was different now. She had changed. For over sixteen years she had only thought about herself and everything had always gone her way, so she had never thought to become better.

But then, Beth had changed over