Lanie


    | took the vial from Isolde’s hand.


    And then my mother’s arms were around me and hot tears were streaming down both of our faces.


    “This is for the best, Lanie,” she whispered. “You and your pup get to live.”


    “Your mother is right,” Gabri said. “If Gustav and the Council found out about your vampire side, they would kill you and your


    pup anyway. And probably anyone who tried to cover your tracks.”.


    That meant my mates, Gabri, Braden, my mother. and Selena would probably get caught in the


    crossfire, too.


    So many people who put themselves on the line to keep me safe.


    But there was no way we could all keep this secret forever. Not without locking me away like hidden so no one could sense my


    tainted blood.


    That was no way to live.


    It was a prison sentence.


    This was better.


    My pup and I could have another life, a normal life.


    We''d start over, never knowing what I’d left behind.


    Love, Lily reminded me.


    The feeling I’d had yesterday, knowing it was thest time I''d see Xander and Zane.


    But | could find love again.


    If not with another mate, then with the pup I was carrying.


    Apiece of the men I''d once loved.Content rights by N?velDr//ama.Org.


    Aldon had,


    “You''ll give them the potion, Gabri?” | asked again even though she''d already said she would. “You''ll


    make them forget about all this?”


    She nodded. “Consider it forgotten already.”


    Xander


    Aldon sat across from Zane and me, stroking his painty chin.


    “Alice’s pregnancy is unexpected, but it’s nothing out of the ordinary.”


    But he knew basically everything and he wasn’t the slimy little s hit we thought he m


    -so he seemed like the best option.


    Especially since my mother was mysteriously missing in action today.


    No surprises there. Keeping secrets from me was apparently my parents’ f ucking specialty.


    “The timing isn’t right,” Zane told Aldon,


    “That’s not a valid reason to take extreme action.” Aldon sounded exhausted. “Gustav gave you orders to produce pups with both


    of your mates...| would think you''d be pleased to share that you''ve followed hismand.”


    | nced at Zane and he gave me a nod. “Just say it”


    “We don’t trust Alice.” | growled. “I don’t think the pup she’s carrying is ours.”


    Aldon’s wrinkled face twisted into a mask of horror, and he clutched at his chest.


    “That’s a very serious usation, Xander.”


    She-wolves caught cheating on their mates were punished severely, in some cases even put to


    death.


    | never believed in such a punishment for that petty of a crime, but it was up to the Council, not the Alpha.


    “She was off all night with my dad, wasn’t she? Are we crazy for thinking this baby isn’t ours?” | asked


    Zane silently


    “No,” he reassured me. “Things with Alice aren’t adding up.


    “Oh for g ods’ sake, will you two just speak out loud?!”


    Aldon rose from his chair in a huff.


    Zane and | stood, too.


    “Aldon, look, we have reason to believe Alice was with my-


    But just then, another wolf stomped into the room.


    “Father.”


    He was standing there, right in front of me, a wild look in his eyes


    “There’s been an ident.” He sounded breathless and upset.


    “Lanie is dead.”