Mira spent three days recovering at Zara's apartment in Windmere. Three days of sleeping, healing, and slowly piecing herself back together. Her body recovered quickly-werewolf healing saw to that. But the emotional wounds ran deeper.

On the morning of the fourth day, Mira woke feeling clearheaded for the first time in years. She made coffee, stood at Zara's window watching the city wake up, and felt something she hadn't felt in so long she'd almost forgotten what it was called.

Hope.

"You look better," Zara said, appearing in the kitchen doorway in her scrubs. "Almost human again."

"I feel better." Mira turned to face her friend. "Thank you. For everything. For not judging me."

"Never." Zara poured herself coffee. "What you did took courage. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise."

"Kieran will see it differently."

"Kieran can go to hell." Zara's voice was sharp. "He lost the right to have opinions about your body when he started treating you like livestock."

Mira managed a weak smile. "I need to go back. Not to the manor-I can't face that yet. But to the estate. I need to see Brielle."

"Are you sure you're ready?"

"No. But I need to try."

An hour later, Mira was on the road back to Ravencrest territory. Her hands were steady on the wheel, her mind clear. She'd made her choice. Now she had to live with it.

And she had to figure out how to be Brielle's mother from whatever distance Kieran would allow.

The estate looked exactly the same as when she'd left it three days ago. Warm stone, blooming gardens, the picture of peaceful domesticity. Mira parked and sat for a moment, gathering her courage.

Then she heard it. Laughter. High and bright and coming from the back garden.

Mira got out of the car and walked around the side of the house. Through the garden gate, she could see Brielle playing on the grass, chasing butterflies in her princess dress.

But she wasn't alone.

Astrid Sinclair sat on a blanket in the shade, watching Brielle with a soft smile. She wore casual clothes that probably cost more than Mira's car, her blonde hair perfect even in the outdoor breeze.

She looked like she belonged there.

Mira's hand tightened on the gate. This was her home. Her daughter. Her life that this woman had stolen piece by piece.

"Mommy!"

Brielle had spotted her. The little girl ran over, and for a moment, Mira's heart soared-until Brielle stopped a few feet away, suddenly uncertain.

"You came back," Brielle said, and it sounded almost like an accusation.

"Of course I came back. I told you I would."

"But you left without saying goodbye." Brielle's lower lip trembled. "You were here when I went to sleep, and then you were gone."

Guilt crashed over Mira. "I'm sorry, baby. I had to take care of something important. But I'm here now."

"Mira." Astrid had stood, brushing grass from her designer jeans. "What a surprise. Kieran didn't mention you'd be visiting today."

The casual way she said his name-Kieran, not the Alpha or your husband-made Mira's blood boil.

"I don't need his permission to see my daughter."

"Of course not." Astrid's smile was poisonously sweet. "I just meant it would have been nice to know. We have such a busy schedule-Brielle has ballet in an hour, don't you, sweetie?"

"Ballet?" Mira looked at her daughter. "Since when do you take ballet?"

"Auntie Astrid signed me up!" Brielle brightened. "It's so fun. We get to wear tutus and everything."

"I thought it would be good for her," Astrid explained, moving closer to Brielle in a subtle but clear claiming gesture. "She has so much energy, and the discipline is good for young wolves. Kieran agreed it was a wonderful idea."

Of course he did. Because Astrid suggested it.

"Brielle, can I talk to you alone for a minute?" Mira asked.

Brielle glanced at Astrid, and that look-that automatic checking for permission-made Mira want to scream.

"It's okay," Astrid said graciously. "I'll go make us some lemonade. You talk to your mommy."

She walked toward the estate, and Mira noticed she moved with the confidence of someone who knew where everything was. Because she'd been living here. In Mira's space. With Mira's daughter.

"Come sit with me, Brielle." Mira settled on the blanket Astrid had vacated.

Brielle sat down but maintained a careful distance. When had her daughter started treating her like a stranger?

"I wanted to talk to you about something," Mira began carefully. "How would you feel about coming to stay with Mommy for a while?"

Brielle's face scrunched up. "But I live here."

"I know, but-"

"And Auntie Astrid is here. And all my stuff. And my ballet class."

"We could find you a ballet class wherever we go."

"But I like my class. I like my teacher." Brielle picked at the grass. "Why can't you just stay here with us?"

Us. Her and Astrid. Not her and Mira.

"It's complicated, baby."

"That's what grown-ups always say when they don't want to tell you the truth." Brielle looked up with those too-wise eyes. "Are you and Daddy getting divorced?"

The question stunned Mira. "How do you know that word?"

"Auntie Astrid explained it. She said sometimes mommies and daddies don't love each other anymore, so they live in different houses."

"What else did Auntie Astrid say?"

Brielle bit her lip. "She said you're very busy with important work. And that Daddy needs someone to take care of him and me. And that she's happy to help because she loves us very much."

Each word was a knife. Astrid had been preparing Brielle. Planting seeds. Making herself indispensable while painting Mira as the absent career woman who'd abandoned her family.

"Brielle, I want you to understand something." Mira took her daughter's small hands. "I love you more than anything in the world. More than any job, more than anyone else. You are the most important thing in my life."

"Then why are you always gone?"

"Because-" Mira's voice caught. How did she explain pack politics and toxic marriages and systematic isolation to a four-year-old? "Because sometimes grown-ups make mistakes. And I made a mistake by not being here enough. But I want to fix that."

"Auntie Astrid is here. She reads me stories and plays dress-up and makes my favorite foods." Brielle pulled her hands away. "She's nice to me all the time. You're always sad or busy."

"I know, baby. I know I haven't been the mommy you deserved. But I want to try-"

"Lemonade!" Astrid emerged from the estate with a tray, all gracious hostess energy. "I hope you don't mind, Mira. I added those little mint leaves Brielle loves."

She set the tray down and poured three glasses with practiced ease. Brielle immediately reached for hers.

"Thank you, Auntie Astrid!"

"You're welcome, sweetheart." Astrid settled beside Brielle, and the little girl immediately leaned into her.

Mira watched them, feeling like an outsider at her own daughter's tea party.

"So," Astrid said brightly. "Kieran mentioned you had some concerns about Brielle's care? I want you to know I take my responsibilities very seriously. I've been keeping detailed notes about her schedule, her preferences, even her growth measurements."

"Your responsibilities?" Mira's voice came out cold. "She's not your daughter."

"Of course not." Astrid's smile didn't waver. "But Kieran asked me to step in while you were... occupied with other matters. And I've grown quite attached. Haven't we, Brielle?"

"I love Auntie Astrid," Brielle declared. "She's going to take me to Everwood Academy next month! All my friends go there."

"Everwood?" Mira's stomach dropped. "That's in the city."

"Well, yes." Astrid sipped her lemonade delicately. "It's the best kindergarten in the region. And since Brielle will be spending more time in the city apartment with Kieran and me, it makes sense."

"Excuse me?"

"Didn't Kieran tell you?" Astrid's eyes glittered with false innocence. "We've worked out a new arrangement. Brielle will split her time between here and the city. That way she can be closer to her father, and I can ensure she gets the best education."

"You can't just take my daughter to live with you."

"I'm not taking her anywhere. Kieran is. He's her father, after all. He has just as much right to decide where she lives as you do." Astrid set down her glass. "Besides, Brielle wants to go. Don't you, sweetie?"

Brielle nodded eagerly. "Daddy's apartment has a pool! And Auntie Astrid said I can have my own room with a princess bed!"

Mira felt the ground shifting beneath her. This was it. This was Astrid's endgame. She wasn't just stealing Kieran-she was stealing Brielle too. Creating a perfect little family unit that had no room for Mira.

"No." Mira stood abruptly. "Absolutely not. Brielle stays here."

"That's not really your decision to make alone," Astrid said calmly. "You'd need to discuss it with Kieran. And I think you'll find he's already made up his mind."

"We'll see about that."

Mira pulled out her phone and called Kieran. It went straight to voicemail. She tried again. Same result.

"He's in meetings all afternoon," Astrid offered helpfully. "But he should be here around six. He's taking Brielle and me to dinner at that new Italian place. You're welcome to join us if you'd like."

The casual cruelty of it-inviting Mira to watch them play happy family-took her breath away.

"Mommy, are you okay?" Brielle looked worried now. "Your eyes are glowing."

Mira realized her wolf was close to the surface, rage and grief making control difficult. She forced herself to breathe, to push the wolf down.

"I'm fine, baby." But her voice shook. "I just need to talk to Daddy about some things."

"He'll be here soon," Astrid said, checking her watch. "Why don't you stay? We can all have a civilized conversation."

Civilized. As if there was anything civilized about this woman systematically dismantling Mira's life.

"Brielle," Mira crouched down to her daughter's level. "I need you to know something. No matter what happens, no matter where you live or who you're with, I am your mother. I will always be your mother. And I love you. Okay?"

Brielle nodded uncertainly. "Okay."

Mira kissed her daughter's forehead, breathing in her scent, memorizing it. Then she stood and walked toward the estate.

"Where are you going?" Astrid called after her.

"To wait for my husband."

Mira went inside and positioned herself in the living room where she could see the driveway. If Kieran thought he could move their daughter to the city to live with his mistress without even discussing it with her, he had another thing coming.

An hour passed. Then two. Mira sat in the growing darkness, watching shadows lengthen across the floor.

Finally, at seven-an hour late-Kieran's SUV pulled into the drive.

But he wasn't alone.

Through the window, Mira watched as Kieran got out of the driver's side. Astrid emerged from the passenger seat. And from the back, Brielle, already dressed in a fancy dinner outfit Mira had never seen before.

They'd already been together. The three of them. Probably picking Brielle up from ballet, maybe getting her ready for dinner. A family outing that Mira wasn't part of.

Brielle ran to Kieran, who scooped her up with a laugh-genuine warmth that he never showed Mira anymore. Astrid said something that made him smile, and he reached over to brush a strand of hair from her face with casual intimacy.

They looked perfect together. Happy. Like the photos on Astrid's social media, except this time with Brielle completing the picture.

And Mira was outside looking in. Again. Always.

She stood and walked to the front door, pulling it open just as they reached the steps.

Kieran's smile died when he saw her.

"Mira. What are you doing here?"

What was she doing there? At the estate she'd chosen, with the daughter she'd nearly died birthing, in the family she'd sacrificed everything to build?

"We need to talk," Mira said. "Now."

"Can this wait?" Kieran didn't even have the decency to look apologetic. "We have dinner reservations."

"No, it can't wait." Mira's voice was steel. "You're planning to move Brielle to the city without discussing it with me?"

"Mommy, please don't be mad," Brielle whimpered, clinging to Kieran's neck. "I want to go."

"See?" Astrid said softly. "She wants to go. Why are you making this difficult?"

"Stay out of this," Mira snapped. "This is between me and my husband."

"But it involves Brielle, and I'm her caretaker now-"

"You are not her caretaker!" Mira's wolf flashed in her eyes. "You're his mistress who's been manipulating my daughter!"

"Mira, enough." Kieran's voice cracked like a whip. "You're scaring Brielle."

Mira looked at her daughter, who was indeed trembling against Kieran's chest, eyes wide with fear.

Fear of her own mother.

"Inside," Kieran ordered. "We'll discuss this privately."

He carried Brielle into the estate, Astrid following close behind like she had every right to be there. Mira trailed after them, feeling like a guest in her own daughter's home.

Kieran set Brielle down gently. "Sweetheart, why don't you go play in your room for a bit? The grown-ups need to talk."

"But dinner-"

"We'll go soon, I promise." He kissed the top of her head. "Go on."

Brielle ran upstairs, and the moment she was gone, Kieran turned on Mira with cold fury.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Showing up unannounced, upsetting Brielle, making scenes-"

"Making scenes?" Mira couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You're moving our daughter without telling me, and I'm the one making scenes?"

"I was going to tell you," Kieran said dismissively. "I just hadn't gotten around to it yet."

"Hadn't gotten around to it? She's my daughter!"

"She's our daughter," Kieran corrected. "And as her father, I have every right to decide where she lives. Especially when her mother can barely be bothered to visit her."

The accusation stung because there was truth in it. "That's not fair. You know why I haven't been here-"

"Because you were too busy with your work? Your endless training sessions and medical conferences?" Kieran's voice dripped with contempt. "Meanwhile, Astrid has been here every day, caring for Brielle, making sure she's happy and well-adjusted."

"She's not Brielle's mother!"

"No, but she's been more present than you have." Kieran moved closer to Astrid, a united front. "Brielle needs stability. She needs someone who's actually here for her."

"I can be here for her-"

"Can you?" Kieran cut her off. "Because from what I've seen, you're too wrapped up in your own drama to focus on what Brielle needs. The divorce threats, the emotional outbursts, the constant conflict with my mother-"

"Your mother slapped me!"

"And you tried to hit her back!" Kieran's eyes flashed gold. "That's not Luna behavior. That's not mother behavior. Frankly, I'm concerned about your stability."

Mira felt the ground tilting beneath her feet. "My stability? You're questioning my stability when you've been openly cheating on me for three years?"

"I've been discreet," Kieran said coldly. "And our arrangement was always clear-you give me an heir, I provide for you and Brielle. That's the agreement."

"That's not a marriage! That's a transaction!"

"It's the reality of pack leadership." Kieran's voice was final. "And if you can't handle that reality, then maybe Brielle is better off with someone who can."

The words hit like a physical blow. "You're trying to take her from me."

"I'm trying to do what's best for her." Kieran's expression didn't soften. "And right now, what's best is stability. A home where people aren't screaming at each other. Adults who can be civil."

"I can be civil-"

"Really?" Astrid finally spoke, her voice gentle and reasonable. "Because you just screamed at me in front of Brielle, called me names, and made her cry. Is that civil?"

Mira opened her mouth to respond, but no words came. Because Astrid was right. Mira had lost control. Had scared her own daughter. Had become the villain in this story they'd been carefully crafting.

"The city apartment has better schools," Kieran continued, his tone businesslike now. "Better opportunities. And Brielle will have two adults who are present and attentive instead of one absent mother."

"Two adults," Mira repeated numbly. "You mean you and your mistress."

"I mean two people who put Brielle first." Kieran checked his watch. "Now, we're already late for dinner. We'll discuss custody arrangements later, through lawyers if necessary. But Brielle is coming with us tonight, and she'll be starting at Everwood Academy next month. That's final."

"You can't just-"

"I can, and I have." Kieran turned toward the stairs. "Brielle! Time to go, sweetheart!"

Brielle came running down, still looking worried. She went straight to Kieran, who picked her up protectively.

"Say goodbye to your mother," Kieran instructed.

"Bye, Mommy," Brielle said quietly, not meeting Mira's eyes.

Mira's throat closed. This couldn't be happening. This couldn't be real.

"Brielle, baby-" she reached out, but Brielle turned her face into Kieran's shoulder.

"Don't want to," she mumbled. "Mommy's scary when she's mad."

The rejection was complete. Total. Her own daughter was afraid of her now, thanks to their careful manipulation.

"We'll be in touch," Astrid said, placing a hand on Kieran's arm. "Through proper channels."

They walked past Mira like she was invisible. She stood frozen as they went out the front door, got into the SUV, and drove away.

Taking her daughter. Her life. Everything.

Mira stood in the empty estate as the engine sounds faded. Then, slowly, she walked upstairs to Brielle's room.

The space was different than she remembered. New toys she hadn't bought. Clothes she hadn't picked out. Books she hadn't read. Evidence of Astrid's presence everywhere, rewriting Mira's daughter's childhood while Mira had been trying to save a marriage that was already dead.

On the nightstand sat a framed photo that made Mira's blood run cold. Kieran, Astrid, and Brielle at what looked like an amusement park. All three of them laughing, ice cream in hand, looking like a real family.

Mira didn't appear in a single photo in her daughter's room.

She picked up the frame, stared at it, then set it down carefully. She wouldn't break things. Wouldn't give them more ammunition to call her unstable.

Instead, she pulled out her phone and called the lawyer she'd consulted weeks ago.

"Morrison & Associates."

"This is Mira Ravencrest. I need to finalize my divorce papers immediately. And I need to discuss custody arrangements."

"Of course, Mrs. Ravencrest. When can you come in?"

"Tomorrow morning. First thing." Mira's voice was steady now, cold and clear. "And I need you to prepare a formal complaint about parental alienation."

"Understood. We'll have everything ready."

Mira ended the call and stood in her daughter's room for a long moment. Then she walked downstairs, locked up the estate, and got in her car.

She didn't go to the manor. Couldn't face that empty mausoleum. Instead, she drove to Windmere, to Zara's apartment, the only place that felt safe anymore.

Zara took one look at her face and pulled her inside.

"They're taking her," Mira said, and her voice finally broke. "They're taking Brielle, and she doesn't even want me anymore."

"Tell me everything."

So Mira did. She told Zara about the city apartment, about Everwood Academy, about Brielle clinging to Kieran and turning away from her own mother. About feeling like a stranger in her daughter's life.

"They've poisoned her against me," Mira finished. "And I don't know how to fight this. If I push too hard, I look unstable. If I don't push at all, I lose her completely."

"So what are you going to do?"

Mira was quiet for a long moment. Then she said, "I'm going to let her go."

"What?"

"Not forever. But for now." Mira wiped her eyes. "If I fight for custody right now, it'll be ugly. Public. Traumatic for Brielle. And they're right-I haven't been present. I can't win a custody battle when I've barely been in her life these past months."

"That's not your fault-"

"It doesn't matter whose fault it is. What matters is what's best for Brielle." Mira took a shaky breath. "So I'm going to step back. Give them their perfect little family. And I'm going to focus on rebuilding myself."

"And then?"

"And then, when Brielle is old enough to understand, when I'm strong enough to be the mother she deserves, I'll find a way back to her." Mira's eyes hardened. "But first, I need to become someone worth coming back to."

"What does that look like?"

Mira pulled out her phone and scrolled through her emails until she found the one she'd been avoiding. An offer from Director Lucian Vale of the Regional Healer's Council.

We have an opening for the Outlands Health Initiative. Six months in remote villages, providing medical care to underserved populations. No cell service, no pack politics, just healing work. I think you'd be perfect for it.

She'd dismissed it weeks ago because it would mean leaving Brielle. But now? Now Brielle didn't want her anyway.

"I'm going to the Outlands," Mira said. "Six months. No contact with Ravencrest Pack, no contact with Kieran, no reminders of everything I've lost."

"That's a hard assignment," Zara warned. "Primitive conditions, dangerous territory-"

"Good." Mira's smile was bitter. "Maybe that's exactly what I need. To remember who I was before I became Luna Ravencrest and lost myself."

She composed a response to Lucian: I accept the position. When do I start?

The reply came within minutes: Next week. Welcome aboard.

Mira showed Zara the email. "One week. I have one week to finalize the divorce papers, sign away custody, and disappear."

"Until I'm strong enough to come back and claim what is mine."

One Month Later

Kieran Ravencrest sat in the master bedroom of Ravencrest Manor, checking his watch for the third time in ten minutes. 9:47 PM.

Mira was late. Again.

He'd showered an hour ago, made the requisite preparations, and had been waiting in bed ever since. The breeding schedule was clear-tonight was optimal for conception. His mother had reminded him twice this week, and even Astrid had mentioned it yesterday, though she'd seemed less enthusiastic than usual about the arrangement.

10:15 PM. Kieran pulled out his phone and scrolled through emails, trying to ignore the growing irritation. This was unlike Mira. Whatever else he could say about his wife, she'd always been dutiful. Always shown up when required.

10:43 PM. He called her. The phone rang once, then went straight to voicemail. Her voice on the recording sounded younger, happier-from before their marriage had become whatever this was.

"Mira, where are you? Call me back."

He hung up and called again. Same result.

11:20 PM. Kieran got out of bed and dressed, his wolf restless with irritation. He was the Alpha. He didn't wait around for anyone, not even his Luna. Especially not for a wife who seemed determined to make everything difficult lately.

He headed downstairs, where Fletcher appeared from the shadows as always.

"Fletcher, when did Luna Mira arrive?"

The butler's expression remained carefully neutral. "She hasn't arrived this evening, Alpha."

"What do you mean she hasn't arrived? She knows what tonight is."

"I'm aware, sir. But I haven't seen the Luna in four weeks. Not since..." Fletcher trailed off delicately.

"Not since what?"

"Not since she collected some of her belongings and left a document on your desk."

Kieran's jaw tightened. "What document?"

"I believe it was legal in nature, sir. I placed it in your study."

Kieran strode to his study and flicked on the lights. His desk was immaculate as always, but in the center sat a manila envelope he'd never bothered to open. He'd assumed it was more of Mira's dramatics-another emotional letter he didn't have time for.

He opened it now.

Divorce papers. Fully executed, notarized, only awaiting his signature.

But that wasn't what made his blood run cold.

Beneath the divorce papers was a custody agreement. Mira had signed over full custody of Brielle to him, requesting only reasonable visitation rights.

No fight. No demands. Just... surrender.

And beneath that, something smaller. A pregnancy test, positive, with a note attached: Handled it.

Kieran stared at the test for a long moment, his mind refusing to process what he was seeing. Positive. She'd been pregnant. And "handled it" could only mean one thing.

His wolf surged forward with a roar of grief and rage that surprised him. She'd terminated his child-their child-without even telling him. Without giving him a choice.

"When did she leave this?" His voice came out rougher than intended.

"Four weeks ago, sir. The morning after she signed the custody papers."

Four weeks. She'd been gone for four weeks, and he hadn't even noticed. Hadn't even thought to look for her beyond irritation that she wasn't answering his calls about Brielle's school enrollment.

Kieran pulled out his phone and dialed Mira's number again. Still straight to voicemail.

He tried texting: Where are you? We need to talk.

The message showed as delivered but not read.

He called the pack healers. "This is Alpha Ravencrest. I need Luna Mira's current location."

"I'm sorry, Alpha, but the Luna is on extended leave. She requested all her assignments be redistributed."

"Extended leave? Where did she go?"

"I don't have that information, sir. You'd need to speak with Director Vale."

Kieran hung up and immediately called Lucian Vale's office. The phone rang five times before going to voicemail.

"Lucian, this is Kieran Ravencrest. I need to know where my wife is. Call me back immediately."

He paced the study, his wolf clawing at his control. Mira had vanished. Completely. And he had no idea where to even start looking.

His phone rang. Lucian.

"Where is she?" Kieran demanded without preamble.

"Good evening to you too, Kieran." Lucian's voice was cool. "I assume you're referring to Mira?"

"Of course I'm referring to Mira. Where is she?"

"On assignment."

"What assignment? Where?"

There was a pause. "I'm not sure I should tell you that. Mira specifically requested minimal contact with Ravencrest Pack during her term."

"She's my wife-"

"She's my employee," Lucian interrupted. "And one who explicitly asked not to be disturbed. She's earned the right to that request."

"Lucian, this isn't a game. I need to speak with her."

"Why? Because you finally noticed she's gone?" The judgment in Lucian's voice was unmistakable. "She's been gone a month, Kieran. If it was urgent, you would have noticed sooner."

"Just tell me where she is."

"The Outlands Health Initiative. Six-month assignment in remote villages. No cell service, no email, no way to contact her except through emergency relay, which I control." Lucian's voice hardened. "And I don't consider your sudden interest to be an emergency."

"Six months?" Kieran's mind reeled. "She signed up for six months without telling me?"

"Why would she tell you? You made it clear she was only relevant once a month for breeding purposes. She's not breeding anymore, so what do you need her for?"

The words hit like a slap. "That's not-we have an arrangement-"

"An arrangement she's terminated. The divorce papers are signed, Kieran. All they need is your signature. I suggest you give her what she wants and let her move on with her life."

"This is about more than divorce-"

"Is it? Because from where I'm standing, you've been perfectly happy with your new little family unit. I hear Brielle's settling in well at the city apartment. Astrid's been wonderful with her, hasn't she?"

"How do you-"

"I keep tabs on my employees. Mira is an exceptional healer, and she's been systematically destroyed by your neglect and your mother's abuse. So yes, I'm protective of her. And no, I'm not going to help you track her down so you can add to her suffering."

"I'm not trying to hurt her. I just need to talk to her about-" Kieran looked down at the pregnancy test. "About something important."

"Then you can talk to her when she gets back. Six months. Give her that time to heal."

"Lucian-"

"Goodbye, Kieran. Don't call again unless it's a genuine emergency."

The line went dead.

Kieran stood in his study, holding a positive pregnancy test from a child that no longer existed, looking at divorce papers from a wife who'd disappeared, and for the first time in years, he felt something close to panic.

She was gone. Really, truly gone. And he had no way to reach her, no way to explain, no way to fix whatever this was.

His phone buzzed. A text from Astrid: Is everything okay? You've been gone a while.

Right. Astrid was still at the city apartment with Brielle, waiting for him to return from "taking care of business" at the manor.

Kieran looked around his study-at the divorce papers, the custody agreement, the pregnancy test. Evidence of a marriage he'd destroyed through neglect and a wife he'd reduced to a breeding vessel until she'd finally had enough.

Everything's fine, he texted back. Be home soon.

But nothing was fine.

His wolf was howling, agitated in a way Kieran didn't understand. Mira had only been gone a month. Why did it feel like something essential had been ripped away?

He tried to call her one more time. Straight to voicemail.

"Mira, I... we need to talk. About the papers, about everything. Just call me back. Please."

The "please" surprised him. He couldn't remember the last time he'd said that word to his wife.

Kieran gathered the papers and locked them in his desk drawer. He'd deal with this tomorrow. Or next week. Whenever Mira decided to resurface and be reasonable about things.

Because she would come back. She had to. She was his Luna, bound to him by pack law and mate bonds. A few months of whatever this was would pass, and things would return to normal.

They had to.

But as Kieran drove back to the city apartment, back to Astrid and Brielle and the life he'd built without Mira, his wolf remained restless. Unsettled.

Like it knew something Kieran hadn't accepted yet.

Some absences couldn't be waited out.

Some departures were permanent.