des. And today, I'm walking the fine line between

***

una Eve's voice echoes through

himself, holding a decorative dagger

ds, her silver brows f

old with a smirk. It's one of those rare mornings when everyone in the

h?" Damon's deep, authoritativ

lies, his cheeks b

efore breakfast," Damon w

n sighs and pinches the bridge of

I correct, bit

e courtyard fountain to "clean" the floors. The trail of water

s as she spots her. "What i

curls bouncing as she tips the bucket o

heaven'

ughter. Eve whirls on me, and e

ny?" Damon asks, r

. "They're children. Mi

ss her, comes just in time, 'Ch

out in glee and run into the kitche

sica's eyes widen at the clatteri

y regretting h

le a l

***

chen. The triplet

whirlwind of emotions lately and I'm still thinki

li have turned the dining chairs into a fortress of chaos. Jessica and cooks are in

oks shrieks as Lily dangles a bowl o

Lily declares, her tiny

their "fort," yells, "Defend the cast

but hits Damon squarely o

ed silence before Damo

, his deep voice filled with amu

announces proudly, waving

n raises an eyebrow

o suppress my own laughter. "Mo

ed in our castle," Eli says, poking his h

curving into a mischievous grin. "Well,

antling their makeshift fort with exaggerated moves

sly good with them, his joy infectious. I can't help but wonder w

way. This isn't the

***

eparations for the day's big event - the Beta's mating ceremony

o betrayed me is celebrating his union

the clasp on my gown. Her gaze is soft, bu

distract

rcing a smile. "Just thinking about ev

houlder. "Don't let this day weigh on you. Remember

only fuel the fire inside me. I nod, ke

a spectacle of excess luxury. Flowers in shades of white and gold line the pathway, and soft music

make our way to the front. To anyone watching, we

mon's grip, the unspoken que

sts, smiling and laughing in all the

the altar. Their happiness is a dagger

Damon asks softly, hi

I reply, my

convinced, but

ut I know its layout well like I know the back of my hand. That's what three years of lonely marria

make my way there, my he

air and work the lock. It clicks open easily,

iculous, almost sterile. One thing I admire

the othe

ugh the drawers. Papers, contracts, recei

er-bound ledger hidden b

in's dealings with the rogues, the bribes. Everything re

and accountable he is. My han

. The leve

folds of my gown, my mind

e, the door creak

my heart

through the silenc

ir