AUDREY'S POVLater that day, after I met the women and they all went back to their houses, I didn't want to return to the pack house, so I wandered around the pack.I came onto the path that led to my father's house. Shakily, I took a step closer until I was close enough to the door. I stood there for a long time, working up the courage to open the door.When I did try the lock, it was locked. Very firmly. I was disappointed and trudged back to the pack house because I thought I'd be able to see some of my old paintings.I was even going to sleep in there. Some sort of way to get away from Magnus. I was not ready to hear his explanation. Might never be.The house was quiet when I got in, with only the guards at their strategic location. I climbed up the stairs. I wanted to go into the kitchen, but I feared I was going to hear something more unpleasant.“Baby.“ Magnus jumped up as soon as he heard me enter.“Magnus, please; I just want to sleep.““But I want to clarify some things to y

AUDREY'S POV“You promise to tell me why you're so angry with me?““Yes,“ I promised.“Good. Let's dig in.““You can have the pancakes.““How generous of you, baby.“ He laughed. “If I'm eating the pancakes, then I'm having the juice.““What, no? It's my juice.““It's only fair.“ I pouted. “If you share the pasta, then I'll share the juice.““No way. You know what? You can keep the juice. It's just going to ruin my taste buds after having the meatballs.““Suit yourself, baby.“ We are in silence after that.“Are you sure you don't want any of the juice? The pulp looks extra chewy.“ He smirked at me.“I'm not sharing my pasta.“ I said defiantly as I hogged it closer.He drank every drop, and I glared at him. “What a bully!““Now I'm a bully?“ He laughed. The next thing I knew, he was on the floor.“Magnus.“ I whispered and rushed to him. He was convulsing, and he was jerking around the floor. Then he was foaming at the mouth.“Magnus!“ I yelled and shook him. I ran out of the room to get

AUDREY'S POV“Get to the point, please!“ I snapped at the poor physician, but I was exhausted.“Sorry, my Luna.“.“It's alright.““Now the most active poison of the two is Renesse. Renesse is a drug used to gently remove premature babies.“My eyes widened.“The other one is used to kill, basically. It's called death's kiss. It was a small dose, but when combined with Renesse, it becomes formidable.““I see.““Thankfully, the Alpha has extraordinary stamina. That's why he didn't get killed, plus Renesse didn't work on him.““Thank you, physician.““You can go now.“He bowed and left.“Now we know for sure that the poison was meant for you, my lady.“ Mane said.“And the person who did this for sure is Alexa.“ He nodded. “I want to see her as soon as she gets here.We went back to planning and strategizing. It was really exhausting.A knock came on the door. “Come in.““Beta Mane.“ A guard came in. “We bought back Lady Alexa.““Good.““Let's go, Mane.““Shouldn't we just bring her here?

MAGNUS' POV“…didn't realize how much I needed and depended on you until you weren't here. I know you're still here, but I miss the warmth in your eyes and in the way you hold me. I'm tired of running your pack on your behalf. I don't think I'm doing a good job, so wake up before I run it into the ground…” I heard it faintly.I wanted to chuckle, but I couldn't. Something was holding me back. I wanted to reach out and smooth the crease I was sure would have formed on her face. Again, something was holding me back.Her voice carried away. She wrapped around my body, and that was when I was able to open my eyes. It was as heavy as lead. It was dark out, so I felt like I was in the same limbo as I was. I tried to remember the last time I was active. The memories rushed back to me suddenly, and I reached to clutch my head with my hand. It was pounding. My hand was connected to what was probably a drip bag.I yanked it off and clutched my head. I lay there until I felt a little bit ground

MAGNUS' POV“Audrey ?““Yes?““I want you to look at me.“ She lifted her face.“I'm listening.““I love you.““I love you, too.““Let me finish. I know I've done wrong by you countless times in the past, and I don't think I've ever apologized properly to you for it.““I forgive you.““You might have, but you haven't forgotten about it. That's why Alexa was able to get into your head. I'm sorry I did you wrong. You know me; I know I'll still find a way to upset you. I'm stupid like that, but please don't forget how much I love you now. I do, truly. You're my life. You and our baby. I don't know what I'll do without you in my life. My life would be lost and void. Without meaning.““Magnus,” tears were streaming down her face.“I never want you to think that you're a burden. You could never be. Audrey, this might seem like a cliche to you, but you are the air I breathe. Every day, I wake up because I know you'll be here. You can accuse me of anything. Anything at all, but don't accuse me