+25 BCNUS


    Perfect.


    Sophia pulled over and rolled down her window. The rogue looked up.


    “You look like you could use some help,” Sophia said, her voice sweet as honey.


    The rogue approached the car cautiously and scratched his neck with his dirty nails. “What kind of help?”


    Sophia reached into her purse and pulled out a thick wad of cash. She held it up so the rogue could see it, and his eyes went wide.


    “Want a job?” she asked, waving the cash in his face.


    E


    Saturday morning came too slowly, but it finally came around, and I was determined to keep my promise to Lilith. She’d tried to protest when I’d told her we were going shopping, insisting that she didn’t need anything new and needed to rest, but I wasn’t taking no for an


    answer.


    Besides, I had to get out of that fucking house.


    “You spoil me too much already,” she said as we walked through the downtown shopping district. “I don’t need you spending your money on me.”


    “It’s my money, and I can spend it however I want.” I linked my arm through hers, steering her toward a nearby clothing boutique. “Besides, when was thest time someone bought you something just because they wanted to?”


    Lilith’s steps slowed. “E, dear, you don’t have to


    “I want to.” I stopped walking and turned to face her. “Lilith, you’ve been more of a mother to me in the past five years than anyone has been in my entire life. You held me while I cried over that stupid music box. You bring me soup when I’m sick. You actually care about whether I’m happy or sad,”


    Her eyes started to glisten.


    “So yes,” I continued, pulling her toward the shop, “I’m going to spoil you today, and you’re going to let me. Because that’s what daughters de for their mothers.”


    We spent the next two hours going from shop to shop. I bought her a beautiful silk scarf in deep blue that brought out her eyes, a pair of soft leather gloves for theing winter, and a delicate silver bracelet with tiny charms in the various phases of the moon.


    Around lunchtime, we found a bench in the small park across from the shopping district and sat down to rest. The afternoon sun was warm on my face, and for the first time in weeks, I felt almost normal. Not like a dying Luna trapped in a loveless marriage, just like a young woman out with her… mother.


    “Lilith,” I said softly, “can I ask you something?


    “Of course, dear.”


    “Why are you so good to me? I mean, really. You could work for any family in the territory. Wealthy Alphas who would pay you twice what Alexander does, probably treat you better too. So why stay? Why put up with all the drama and chaos thates with this house?”


    Lilith was quiet for a long moment, staring down at the new bracelet on her wrist. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft.


    “Because you feel like a daughter to me,” she said simply. “From the moment I met you, you felt like the child I never had.”


    The words made my chest tighten. “Really?”


    “Really.” She reached over andced her fingers through mine.


    I felt tears prick at my eyes. “I love you, you know,” I whispered, dabbing the tears away before they could fall. “But… didn’t you ever have children of your own?”


    The question seemed to freeze her. Her hand went still in mine, and something painful shed across her face.


    For a few moments, her mouth opened and closed as if she were struggling to find the words. But then, suddenly, she stood and pointed across the street.


    “Look! There’s that new restaurant everyone’s been talking about. Why don’t we get some lunch there?”


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