Chapter 42
+25 Points
Jake didn’t want to go to Sunday dinner at his parents‘ house, but he couldn’t come up with a decent excuse to get out of it. He would have much rather stayed at the packhouse with Lyra. He’d spent the afternoon working in his office while she lay stretched out on the couch, poring over her mother’s journals. Having her nearby had relaxed him. He liked being able to talk to her whenever a thought popped into his head, even if most of the time she only hummed in response.
He had managed to convince her to stay another night at the packhouse, though she flatly refused to join him for dinner. Her argument was simple. It would only stir up more tension. He didn’t disagree, not really, but he hadn’t pushed. Instead, when the he’d convinced her to pack a few more things and wait for him in hi dinner with Megan and Callan.
ned Donovan off,
fter she had
As he stepped through the front door, the familiar scent of his mother’s stir–fry hit him. James sat on the couch, offering Jake a wary glance. Jake frowned, about to ask what was wrong until the answer walked into the room.
“Jake!” Kylie beamed as she bounced toward him.
His stomach dropped. “Kylie. What are you doing here?”
She paused, smile faltering just slightly. “You invited me to Sunday dinner. Last Monday? Remember?”
Now that she mentioned it, he did recall saying something along those lines. He hadn’t thought she’d actually show up, especially after their last conversation.
“I figured you wouldn’t come,” he said, keeping his voice even. “After what we talked about.”
“Well, my dad said I should still be spending time with you,” she said with a pout that made his teeth clench. “He said you’re not supposed to make a decision until the elders have more time to evaluate things.”
“That’s not true…” Jake began.
“Jake,” his father’s voice cut in as Christian stepped into the room. “You’re late.”
Jake turned a glare on him. “I had things to take care of.”
“I’m going to help your mom in the kitchen,” Kylie chirped, then disappeared, leaving behind a cloud of lavender perfume and Jake’s mounting irritation.
Jake turned back to Christian. “Why is she here?”
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Christian sighed. “Honestly, I didn’t know she was coming until she showed up. Claimed you invited her. I couldn’t exactly send her away.”
His tone was even, and for once, Jake believed him.
“I don’t want her here.”
“She’s not being sent away. Technically, you agreed with the elders to continue spending time with Kylie.”
“I didn’t agree to anything,” Jake snapped. “I was strongarmed into that arrangement when they threatened to strip me of my title.”
James sat forward on the couch. “What?”
“Oh, you didn’t hear that part?” Jake said, voice laced with sarcasm.
“Let’s talk in my office,” Christian interjected, glancing toward the kitchen. “Your mother’s had enough stress lately.”
Jake followed him down the hall, James trailing behind.
James wasted no time heading for the liquor cabinet. “Start talking,” he said, pouring three
drinks.
Reluctantly, Jake explained the elders‘ demands, skimming over the witches and Lyra’s mother for now.
“So now you’re choosing between Lyra and Kylie?” James asked, handing him a tumbler of bourbon.
“There’s no choice,” Jake said. “Lyra is my mate.”
“You still need to think things through,” Christian snapped. “Lyra may not be what’s best for the pack.”
“I disagree,” James said. “The Moon Goddess chose her. That should be enough.”
“There’s more to it,” Christian muttered, rubbing a hand down his face.
“Like what?” James asked.
“Good luck getting him to tell you,” Jake muttered, slumping into an armchair. “He’s got a secret stash he won’t share with anyone lately.”
“Don’t start with me, Jacob,” Christian warned.
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James glanced between them. “What am I missing?”
“Nothing,” Christian said.
“Everything,” Jake said at the same time.
James let out a dry laugh. “Of course.”
“Lyra’s mother wasn’t human,” Jake said. Christian shot him a dark look.
“What was she?” James asked.
Jake gestured to Christian. “Ask him.”
James turned to their father, who turned away and stared out the w
“What does Lyra say?” James asked, turning back.
+26 Points
“She doesn’t know. Until recently, she thought her mother was human. Everyone who knows anything has either kept quiet or been ordered not to speak.”
Christian’s shoulders stiffened, but he didn’t move.
“Who was ordered not to speak?” James asked.
“Lyle.”
Christian turned back at that, pain flickering across his face. “I had to make that call. Lyle was unraveling after Mary died. She didn’t want anyone to know what she was, and Lyle couldn’t keep it together. He was saying things… doing things. I had to protect the pack. The witches were circling, the Hart kids were in danger, and the only way to keep them safe was to make sure Lyle stayed silent.”
“Witches?” James’s eyebrows rose. “When did witches come into this?”
Jake didn’t answer.
“You put a muzzle on your best friend, Jake said, voice sharp. “You let his mate die, tried to have his son killed, maimed his daughter, and then made him shut up about it like he meant nothing.”
“I did what I had to do for the pack!” Christian roared.
“At what cost?” Jake shot back. “Why is this secret worth all that?”
The door creaked open. Charlotte peeked in, eyes narrowed.
“I don’t appreciate all the yelling,” she said sharply. “This is supposed to be a nice dinner.”
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Jake turned toward her, the words falling from his mouth before he could stop them. “What was Mary Hart?”
Charlotte held his gaze. “A sweet, gentle woman who didn’t deserve what happened to her.” Then she turned. “Dinner is ready.”
**
Calling the meal tense was putting it mildly. Jake only stayed because of his mother. Every time he looked at his father, his stomach twisted. He couldn’t believe Christian was trying to play the martyr after everything he’d done to Lyle.
He thought of Callan, his closest friend, his brother in all but blood. Jake couldn’t imagine sacrificing him, not for anything. Not even for the pack.
Kylie, oblivious or pretending to be, chattered non–stop. Her voice gr
his nerves. She
kept turning to Charlotte with questions about being Luna, like it was a job she was already rehearsing for.
“I heard about the witches,” she said just as Jake was finishing his meal.
“Witches?” Charlotte asked, arching a brow.
“Yeah,” Kylie said. “I scented some on Monday. I guess they showed up again last night. Someone said they found something in the Moon Clearing.” She looked at Jake expectantly.
“We discussed it this morning,” Jake said coolly. “Callan and I are adjusting patrol routes. We’ll meet with the warriors tomorrow.”
“Why would witches be showing up now?” James asked.
Charlotte and Christian exchanged a loaded glance but said nothing.
“We don’t know yet,” Jake lied smoothly. He dared either parent to contradict him.
“One of the warriors said it had to do with the Harts,” Kylie pressed.
Again, that shared look between his parents.
“We’re looking into it,” Jake said tightly.
“You can tell me,” Kylie said gently. “If I’m going to be Luna…”
“You’re not,” Jake snapped. Rome growled in his mind.
Kylie flinched. “I know we’re not mates, but with everything going on, maybe…”
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“We’re not mates!” Jake shouted, slamming his hand against the table. “I have a mate. It’s
not you.”
“Jacob!” Charlotte gasped.
Kylie looked away, blinking back tears. Jake’s anger cooled instantly, guilt prickling under his skin. It wasn’t her fault. She didn’t ask for this.
He pushed his chair back and stood.
“Where are you going?” Christian demanded.
“Away.”
“You’re not leaving yet!” his father barked.
Jake turned back, eyes blazing. “I am the Alpha. I will go wherever I da you’d do well to remember that.”
He stormed out, slamming the door behind him so hard the windows rattled.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
