Chapter 7

To celebrate Cici Lane's return, Maude hosted an intimate party. Only a select few from the dance world had been invited. Guests mingled over wine and exquisite food while footage of Cici Lane's most iconic performances played on a loop.

Then, halfway through the evening, so uninvited guest arrived.

Kane. With his sons. And Aurelia.

Maude met him at the door, her smile fixed. "Alpha Kane. What a surprise."

"The surprise," he said coolly, his gaze sweeping the room, "is that I wasn't invited. This is my territory. Since Miss Cici Lane is my honored guest, I thought she might feel slighted if I didn't attend her welcome party."

Maude waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, I'm sure she doesn't mind. She's a very private person, you know. Not interested in politics or power games."

"Be that as it may, her safety and comfort are my concern. She'll have to forgive me." He paused. "Where is she? I missed her at the airport yesterday."

"As I said, Miss Lane values her privacy. She may not make an appearance tonight at all. I'm afraid you've wasted a trip." Maude gestured toward the refreshment table. "Since you brought the children, at least let them have some dessert before you leave. A busy man like you must have—"

Kane walked past her mid-sentence.

His long legs carried him across the room. His eyes locked onto a single figure.

Cynthia.

He had barely slept last night, turning over the same question in his mind: Had the woman at the airport been a hallucination? Or had he actually seen her?

Now, seeing her standing there, he had his answer.

The room went quiet as heads turned. Three years. No one had seen the Luna of the Aurora Pack in public for three years.

She had never been involved in pack affairs, so her absence hadn't felt like a gaping hole. Still, people talked. Rumors spread. Divorce. Death. Illness. No one knew the truth.

Now she stood before him, and she looked nothing like the woman who had fled.

Three years had only sharpened her. She looked younger. Calmer. When she looked at him, there was no surprise in her eyes. No recognition at all.

"If you need anything," Cynthia said evenly, "ask Maude."

For a moment, he couldn't speak. She was going to treat him like a stranger?

"Mommy!" Harry's voice rang out behind her. "Mommy!"

Before anyone could react, Kane grabbed Cynthia's wrist and pulled her toward the nearest door—a study. He shoved it shut behind them and stood in front of it, blocking her exit.

"What are you doing?" Cynthia yanked her arm free.

"Where have you been?"

"That's none of your business."

"You're my mate."

"Was," she corrected. "We're divorced. Or have you forgotten?"

"Divorced?" He let out a harsh laugh. "Like you gave me any choice. You ran away like a coward."

"What I did or didn't do has nothing to do with you anymore." Her voice was ice. "Stay away from me."

He stepped toward her. She stepped back.

"Nothing to do with me?" His voice dropped, dangerous and low. "My sons have been searching for their mother for three years. My pack has been without a Luna for three years. And you waltz back in like you've done nothing wrong?"

Cynthia raised an eyebrow. "Without a Luna? Then why haven't you married her yet?" She tilted her head. "What went wrong?"

She hadn't cared, truly. But curiosity prickled. She had expected Kane and Aurelia to marry the moment the divorce was finalized. Instead, three years had passed, and Aurelia was still just the mistress trailing behind Kane and his sons.

For someone like Aurelia, three years was an eternity. An eternity of not getting what she wanted.

Before Kane could answer, the door burst open.

Chloe stood there, her eyes scanning the room until she found her mother. She dashed across the carpet and wrapped her arms around Cynthia's legs, then turned to stare at the man looming over them.

"What do you want with my mommy?"

Kane stared down at the little girl. He must have misheard. "Your… what?"

Chloe looked up at her mother. "Mommy, is he a bad man?"

Cynthia smoothed her daughter's hair. "It's alright, sweetheart. We were just talking."

"What the hell is this?" Kane's voice was raw.

"Mommy!" Harry crashed into the room like a small freight train. Before any adult could react, he shoved Chloe to the floor and planted himself in the spot she had been standing. "Stay away from my mommy!"

Chloe bounced up instantly, grabbed Harry's arm, and bit down.

Harry's scream could have raised the dead.

Aurelia rushed in with Justin close behind, prying at Chloe's jaw. The girl didn't let go.

"Chloe. Enough."

Cynthia's voice was calm. And Chloe released immediately.

"You little savage!" Aurelia cradled Harry against her chest, glaring at Chloe. "Who taught you to bite people?"

"Don't speak to my daughter that way." Cynthia's voice was quiet but razor-sharp. "He attacked her first."

Aurelia's eyes went wide. "Your daughter?" A cruel smile curled her lips. "Well. That explains everything."

"Are you insane?" Kane demanded, staring at Cynthia as she comforted Chloe while ignoring Harry's tears. "Harry is your son too."

"I have one child," Cynthia said.

"You're unfit!" Aurelia spat.

Cynthia glanced at her coldly. "Lucky for them, they have you. Speaking of which—what are you doing here?"

Aurelia's laugh was brittle. "I should ask you the same thing. Are you lost? Who would invite a washed-up has-been like you to Cici Lane's party?"

"You weren't invited either," Cynthia said flatly.

She knew because Maude had handled the invitations. Kane and Aurelia hadn't been on the list.

"Kane is an Alpha," Aurelia shot back. "In his own pack, he doesn't need an invitation to go anywhere."

"And what does that have to do with you?" Cynthia tilted her head. "Correct me if I'm wrong… but you're not his mate, are you?"

Aurelia went pale—ghost-white, bloodless.

She turned to Kane, waiting for him to defend her.

But Kane didn't snap at Cynthia. When he spoke, his voice was infuriatingly smooth. "Cynthia. Let's talk."

"There's nothing to talk about."

Cynthia lifted Chloe into her arms and walked out of the room without looking back.