LIAS

ne that had belonged to his father, studying the photograph I'd handed him.Golden's face smiled up at him from t

edges of the photo until the paper crinkled slightly.Whatever he'd been ex

ce came out rough, like

rs and fou

snapped u

that last month before I disappeared.Before Lay

lden could have been Zeke's clone, right down to the stubborn

deliberate care, like it might shatter if

eschool in Seacreek Pack.When I w

e walked around his desk, m

ked despite m

ere you've been all this

es

ve?"His tone stayed neutral, but I caught the edge un

o the pack where my sister tried to murder me?"I forced myself to breathe slow

d, his voice dropping l

en I was pregnant and alone.You weren't there when I gave birth with only Fatima t

might argue, might throw his Alpha authority

e right.I w

d."We buried you, Cecelia.There was a bod

what he'd been about to say."The body

to memorize it, comparing it to whatever memory

diff

ou survive

ng.Someone took him.I came here because you have resources that Seacreek doesn't.I c

Zeke for anything, went against every instinct I'd developed over

behind his desk, his hands clasped behind his back.The late after

e so suddenly my knees a

ave cond

straightened my spi

palace during the search.I need you close in cas

in

t to a healer'

ch dropp

away."You show up after three years claiming to have my son.I b

my neck."You t

tic markers, whatever the healer requires to establish that Golde

the pack's needs before anything else.That's why he'd mar

it out."Exa

er you need to do.

he correc

d not

iting for a response.Within seconds, the door opened and a tall man with dark hair en

year old boy went missing yesterday afternoon.His name is Golden.I

ning in recognition and shock, but he wa

last know

be in the playground.When the teacher checked on th

uld find.The Seacreek pack searc

omething," Ry

o Zeke and

remembered, beautiful and perfect, except now there were lines around her eyes that hadn't been there before."Zeke, what is the meani

en she realized I was really standing there.H

yla," I sa

fury so quickly I almost missed the transition."How dare you

ly."She's alive.And she ha

here a small blond boy stood partially hidden.Cameron."Your son is rig

yes wide and confused.He looked so much like Layla

ard."A boy named Golden who is three years o

ears, supposedly dead, and now suddenly reappears with a mystery child tha

d the entire story."Layla moved closer to Zeke's desk, her hand reaching out to touch his arm."Think about it rationally.Why would she wait