Below it was a photo of Madiso, looking sophisticated and pleased. The caption read: Ironjaw Alpha Mathan Blackwood to wed Goldshore’s Madison Reynolds, strengthening wartime alliance.
My stomach twisted into knots, a painful sensation shooting through my body. The baby, senting my emotions, gave a gentle kick. 1 felt like my new life was being invaded by my old one.
The urge to tear the paper to shreds lilled me, my nails almost shifting into wolf claws. But I had to suppress that instinct.
After all, it was Carter’s newspaper. I wanted to ask him why he had newspaper from Emerald City, but I guessed it had to do with Alpha territory business. He read papers from everywhere.
Then my eyes focused on something else. Something on Madison’s neck. Something familiar…
It was Nathan’s ring! Madison was wearing Nathan’s ring!
Yes, I knew it was his. He never, ever took off that ring. It had the Ironjaw pack’s family crest on it.
I recognized the black and silver stripes. It was the only thing he had left from his father.
He had given her something that meant so much to him?
Unless… she meant that much to him…
Could it be that he had finally decided he loved Madison? Was my departure exactly what they needed to be together? The thought made my heart ache as if an Alpha’s claws were tearing through it.
“Are you okay, Rose?”
Carter’s voice interrupted my thoughts. I looked up at him, and from his expression, I could tell I must have looked extremely upset. His face was etched with deep concern.
I couldn’t tell him the truth. He knew nothing about my connection to Nathan or the Ironjaw pack.
I set down the paper and fabricated a lie. “Oh, um… there was a notice about a lost child. It reminded me of when I was little.”
“Rose… may I… may I hug you?” His voice was low, with a hint of uncertainty.
I studied his face for a moment, so full of concern. I thought it was strange that he would ask permission for himself at a time like
this. Could his instincts sense how badly I needed a friend?
“Of course,” I said. I stood from my chair, and as he came around the table, I opened my arms and embraced him.
Carter smoothed my hair, his strong Alpha scent making me feel protected. It reminded me that I was okay, that he was taking care
of me, that my old life was far away.
What Nathan was doing didn’t matter anymore…
He wasn’t mine anymore. Whatever bond we had was severed.
He was never mine to begin with. I was just a tool to bear his heir.
The hug lasted for several minutes. I worried I was making Carter late for his meeting and started to pull away, but he wasn’t in any hurry to let go.
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Chapter 108
“Do you want me to cancel my meeting and stay?” he asked.
“No, please go. I’ll be fine,” I assured him, though I wasn’t entirely convinced myself.
“If you need anything–anything–mind–link me, and I’ll come right back, he promised, the Alpha in him making a solemn you.
I nodded slightly, looking at him with a touched smile, warmth spreading through my chest at his sincere protection.
After Carter left, I began preparing to go shopping. I could feel the aby kicking gently as I moved around the cottage. Catching my reflection in the mirror, I paused.
The moon–shaped necklace. I hadn’t taken it off since coming here, was my only connection to the past, to Nathan.
Yet, things had changed.
Despite my love for this necklace, despite the good memories I had of Nathan, I needed to move forward now. For my cub’s sake, and for my own.
The first step was to let go of this necklace. Like the new path the Moon Goddess had set me upon.
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