18: Lila

Stephanie comes into the office. "Please, Steven, let me tell Lila." Stephanie sits on the other chair and fidgets with the necklace on her collarbone. Steven nodded in return and took her other hand in his, squeezing it in a way to offer reassurance to his mate.

"Your mother left right after telling Stephanie she was pregnant with you. She had already married your father even though everyone had begged her not to. There was just something about him that didn't feel right to me. He was sweet to her but would make remarks anytime she left the room. He scared me if I'm being honest." Stephanie lets out a sob in her voice but takes a breath and continues.

"Gemma wasn't willing to listen, though she said I just didn't want her to be happy. I was just jealous because Keith was so amazing. She wouldn't see logic. She knows as well as any of us that you must have a wolf to have a mate. Your father has no wolf and therefore couldn't be her mate. She said her wolf was different, and its mate w