Chapter 36
AARON
The conversation at the hospital with Liam and Adam plays over and over in my mind as I sit in the main dining room of the mansion. And then Leah…throwing me out. Leah telling me we’re done. Leah silencing the doctor and demanding that her medical information only be relayed to her.
What is she hiding?
And how the he ll did Liam know about something that happened here before Leah even arrived?
“Aaron, is everything okay? You’re not eating.”
We’re in the formal dining room of the mansion. I’m seated at the head of the table. Jessica stands beside me, switching her weight from foot to foot nervously.
She wrings her hands and tries again to gain my attention. “The food is getting cold.”
Chef has made a slew of dishes-all of Leah’s favorites. Funny, if asked a week ago, if I knew what food she liked, I wouldn’t have known. But the details come into focus.
There’s salmon and steaks. Roasted vegetables and a giant bowl of mashed potatoes. Biscuits, baked sweet potatoes and brussel
sprouts-yes, she actually really likes those.
When you stand to lose someone, you remember things about them you don’t even realize you know.
The delicious scent of apples and cinnamon pours out of the kitchen. Apple pies.
“Aaron, it’s over.” She pours me a flute of Champagne and one for herself. Then she sits next to me. “We don’t have to deal with those dreadful Roberts anymore! With the Alpha gone and their pack in disarray, there is nothing for us to worry about. You did it, Aaron. You have avenged our families!”
She deserves to feel joy and vindication for her parents and elder brother. She lost so much. But I can’t seem to find the
same satisfaction in what I’ve done.
I don’t feel anything, really.
9
7
て
A
6
2
1
=
2
7
“”
1
1
“Leah wants a divorce. And with the old Alpha gone, you can give her one,” she says like it’s a prompt to a larger conversation
And it is, it’s just not a conversation I have any interest in having
with her.
I say nothing.
She takes a sip of Champagne and licks the bubbles off her upper lip.
“You can even claim their lands, before the divorce. At least a
portion of them.” Her eyes light up. “That brother of hers is as deranged as the father. Once someone puts him down, there will be a clear path to their lands and all their resources.”
She’s speaking plainly and there isn’t actually anything wrong with what she’s saying. The plan is sound. I’ve been buying up Roberts lands and stocks in preparation of a moment just like this. She isn’t voicing any ideas I haven’t already mulled over.
Except the divorce that is.
There will be no divorce.
And as to Liam… he won’t be so easy to displace.
“We’re out of danger now.” She raises her glass in a toast. “You’ve led us to this victory, Aaron.”
Maybe. But it doesn’t feel like a victory.
“Aaron, have a drink. We have so much to celebrate.”
Her blue eyes are lively and bright. She’s smiling.
But I don’t drink. And I don’t share her joy.
“The Roberts may seek to retaliate for the death of their Alpha,” I say quietly.
“But it was suicide.”
“That may be. But tensions are high between us.”
“They don’t have the nerve to attack you. You’re too powerful. Surely they know that.”
“Perhaps.” But I didn’t get to where we are by underestimating an adversary. Besides…”We still haven’t uncovered the motive behind the wolves that attacked here.”
It’s been maybe a week since those four wolves breached our lands and targeted me and Leah, but it feels like a lifetime ago. So much has happened since.
“Those wolves?” she scoffs. “They weren’t a threat.”
“Really Jessica?” My hands curl into fists and my blood runs cold. “How do you know?!”
