I sat down at the table with them, forcing myself to take a few bites even though I had no appetite. Every minute that passed without Knox joining us felt like an eternity, and I hated that I was counting the seconds. I hated that I still cared.It was only a few minutes later when Knox finally appeared, looking composed as ever. He slid into the chair across from me, his face a perfect mask of calm. He glanced at the boys, then at me, his eyes lingering a moment too long.“This looks great,” he said, his voice neutral.“Thanks,” I replied, keeping my gaze fixed on my plate.For a while, the only sounds were the clinking of silverware and the boys’ happy chatter as they devoured their breakfast. Knox and I ate in silence, the tension between us palpable, but unspoken. I could feel him watching me, even when I refused to meet his gaze.“So,” he said after a long stretch of silence. “About last night…”I looked up at him then, my heart skipping a beat. I didn’t want to have this convers
ALPHA KNOX’S POVMy jaw tightened. I didn’t want to fight with her, but she wasn’t making this easy. I took a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check. “It’s not like that, Susie. Her kids were home alone, there was a fire—”“And you couldn’t have just sent someone else? One of your pack members? Or maybe, I don’t know, called me to let me know you weren’t coming home?” Her voice cracked at the end, a mix of anger and something that sounded like hurt.“I was in the middle of a crisis,” I shot back, my patience wearing thin. “It wasn’t exactly the time to stop and make phone calls.”Susie let out a bitter laugh, and the sound grated against my nerves. “Right. Always the Alpha, always the hero, huh? But never for your own family.”Her words hit harder than I wanted to admit, but I wasn’t going to get into this with her. Not now. “I’m doing the best I can, Susie.”There was silence on the other end, but I could hear her breathing, the tension thick between us. When she spoke agai
As we drove back toward the pack territory, the tension in the car was palpable, thick and suffocating. The boys were oblivious, happily chattering away in the back seat, but I could feel the weight of unsaid words hanging between Knox and me. I wanted to ask him what had happened on that phone call, to dig deeper into why Susie seemed to have such a hold on him. But I couldn’t bring myself to ask.Instead, I stared out the window, watching the trees blur by as we made our way back to the apartment.The drive didn’t take long, and soon enough, the familiar sight of the pack's territory came into view. My stomach twisted uncomfortably as we neared the entrance to the main grounds. Knox slowed the car to a stop outside the apartment.I turned to him, offering a faint smile, though it didn’t reach my eyes. "Thanks for everything. For helping with the boys last night."He nodded, his eyes holding mine for a beat longer than necessary. "Of course."I didn’t know what else to say, and the s
Andrew met my gaze, his expression calm but firm. "It means you’re treading a fine line. You’re married, Alpha Knox and you told me yourself that she has a fiance. Luna Susie’s already asking questions, and if you’re not careful, this is all gonna blow up in your face."His words hit harder than I’d expected, even though they were true. They weren’t wrong—hell, I knew they weren’t. But it didn’t change how torn I felt. It didn’t change how every time I was around Melissa, something in me just...clicked. Like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.I let out a slow breath, trying to ease the tension building in my chest. "I know," I said quietly. "I know it’s a mess. But I’m just trying to help. That’s all."Andrew sighed, pushing himself off the car and straightening up. "I get it. You’re a good guy, Knox. You’ve always been the one to help out when someone needs it, especially when it comes to her. But you need to figure out what you want. You can’t keep living in limbo.""I’m not
MELISSA’S POVThe boys' laughter filled the small living room as they raced around the space, their boundless energy infectious despite the lingering tension that weighed on me like a heavy cloak. I couldn’t help but smile at them; their innocence and joy were a bright spot in the otherwise dark storm that had been my life lately. I moved into the kitchen, watching them from the corner of my eye as I set down their bags and began tidying up the space. The smell of smoke still clung faintly to the walls, a grim reminder of how close we had come to losing everything the night before.Tyler and Dylan darted into the kitchen, giggling and dodging imaginary monsters, and I forced myself to focus on them—on their safety, their happiness. They were my world now, and I couldn’t afford to let my emotions about Knox, or the situation I’d been forced into, take precedence over their well-being.“Alright, you two,” I said, trying to keep my voice light and cheerful. “Who’s hungry?”“I am!” Dylan
MELISSA’S POV“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Susie,” I said, keeping my voice calm, though my heart was pounding in my chest. I had expected this confrontation eventually, but not so soon. Not today, when I was already barely holding it together.She scoffed, her lip curling in disdain. “Don’t play dumb with me. Knox is my husband, and I know something’s going on between the two of you.” Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper, and the words stung like a slap. “Do you think I don’t see what you’re trying to do? Trying to worm your way back into his life? Into our life?”I blinked, stunned for a moment by the accusation. She thought… she actually thought I wanted Knox back? That I was trying to interfere in their marriage?“Susie, whatever you think is happening, it’s not,” I said, shaking my head, trying to maintain control of the conversation. “Knox and I have a complicated history, yes. But I’m not trying to—”“Save it,” she snapped, cutting me off. Her blue eyes were cold
She glared at me, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. For a long moment, it seemed like she might say something else, but then, without another word, she turned and stormed down the steps, her heels clicking loudly against the pavement as she walked away.I stood there for a moment, breathing heavily as the tension in my body slowly began to unwind. My wolf receded further, though I still felt her, simmering beneath the surface, ready to spring forward at the slightest hint of danger. The protective instincts that had surged to life when Susie mentioned my children were still pulsing through my veins, but I forced myself to calm down.It wasn’t until I was sure she was gone that I finally let out a long, slow breath.I turned back to the house, my heart still pounding. The boys were still inside, blissfully unaware of what had just happened. I opened the door quietly, stepping back into the warmth of our small home.“Mommy?” Tyler’s voice broke the silence, and I turned to see
MELISSA’S POVI sat down at the kitchen table, feeling the weight of the day pressing heavily on my shoulders. My laptop was open in front of me, the screen filled with the medical research I was reviewing for Michael’s treatment plan. Every few minutes, I’d jot down notes, my mind working through the complexities of his condition. The house was quiet, the only sound being the occasional giggle or thump from the twins playing in their room. It was peaceful for the first time in what felt like forever, and I allowed myself a brief moment of calm. The confrontation with Susie earlier still lingered in my mind, though. Her words, the threat against my boys, had set something off inside me that I hadn’t been able to shake. Even now, I could feel my wolf pacing, restless, protective.I closed my eyes and leaned back in my chair, massaging my temples. I had to focus. Michael needed me to focus. The boys needed me to be strong. I didn’t have the luxury of falling apart, not now.“Mommy?”I o