Lenora’s POVI stand up and lean over the table as my temper flares. “Delilah, you told me-”“Beta, can I see you in the hall for a moment?” Milo pinches me by the armpit and drags me into the hall, slamming the door closed behind him. “What do you think you’re doing, Leni?!”“Milo, Delilah gave Kas some goopy neon green shit to drink, then like… sucked out part of her fucking brain! I watched her!” I hiss at him. “It turned her into a hag! She knew exactly what she was doing, too!”“What the fuck are you talking about, Leni?” He looks at me like I’m crazy. “Delilah is a white witch. She can’t be a hag.”“The other night after Kas’s vision. She wanted to remove Kas’s fear. She called it gray magic. I didn’t know what that was. I told her to go for it.” I throw my arms out to the sides in frustration. “How was I supposed to know it was dangerous?!”“Is that why Delilah got sick?”“She stole one of Kas’s emotions, Milo!” I snap at him. “Why can’t you focus on what’s important here?”“We

“Elder Randall, sorry for the delay. Alpha Mike and Luna Sandy are here for the holiday. We were having a private luncheon when you arrived.” Milo holds my elbow and stands half a step in front of me to put space between me and Randall. “Oh! Who is this?”A petite girl stands behind Randall, making herself as small as possible. She looks uncomfortable, tugging on her raspberry colored skirt suit as if she’s not used to wearing something so formal. She pulled her hair into a modest French braid. When she looks up, I can see pure fear in her wide set blue eyes. Her movements remind me of a bird.Carly was right. If she’s of age, she sure doesn’t look like it. I would call you a liar if you told me she was older than fifteen. There’s a sickly smell to her, as if her scent is too concentrated, like overripe bananas. My heart constricts. She has to be a girl he’s selling.“Answer the Beta Regent, my dear.” Randall turns and dotes over the girl. “Remember what you’ve been practicing with ma

I crawl under the covers and lay on my side. For a while, I listen to Milo snoring. The sound melts into white noise, and I’m able to focus on my body. Codi isn’t jumping around in my belly, but her heartbeat sounds like it’s racing. The doctor said it’s normal for an unborn pup’s heart rate to be close to two hundred beats per minute even when they are sleeping. I try to count the beats, but they are too fast. If her heart is that fast now, how fast is she going to have Milo and me running in circles after she is born? I chuckle at the thought. Justice is already resting in the back of my mind. I can tell the run and the shift wore out. My bones and joints still ache from shifting. I take a cleansing breath and let myself sink further into the mattress. I finally let myself think of Ghost. My handsome wolf mate. I can’t help but smile. Watching him lead the pack through Justice’s eyes for the midnight run filled me with pride. I feel a pang in my heart when I think about the sadness

“How’s she doing?” My foot bobs under the desk as I look at James and Marco’s report. It’s supposed to be a schedule of what Kas has been up to, but it really just shows her going from her apartment to the butler's kitchen every day to meet Delilah. Sometimes she goes to the dining room, but even those couple of things are happening less and less often. She’s only let Lex out a couple of times. I can imagine even that isn’t satisfying if she’s by herself.Her search history is mostly wedding related. There are a few things related to running a business. What catches my eye is a search called ‘how do you stop being lonely’. She only clicked on three links from the search, then shut her computer down for the night.“She’s having meals sent to her apartment?” I look up at them.“No. She’s been cooking herself. She cooks for the Alpha too, but he’s never around to eat with her. I don’t know how much more she can take, honestly.” James says with a frown. “Marco and I ask her every morning

Milo’s POV“I’m sorry, Elder Randall. We can’t disclose information about any cases we may or may not be investigating for confidentiality reasons. We aren’t the police. We’re a private organization hired by our clients. They entrust their personal information to us.” I coo into the phone at him. “You work with enough high-profile clientele. I’m sure you understand. Right?”“Beta Milo, this isn’t just a case. I’m responsible for Ryan Connors and all former members of Silver Moon who haven’t registered for asylum with other packs. It’s stated by the mandate under the Council to act as administrator for the pack. Well, until a suitable Alpha can be indoctrinated.” Randall whines into the phone.“Elder Randall, the last time this guy checked in with his employer was over a week ago. Did you know that?” I raise my eyebrows. Bronx leans over the table to listen closer and snuffs his cigarette, then gives me a thumbs up.“Y-yes, but I was already looking for him when Mr. Lemay hired MasonCo