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"You're right,"I said. "I don't know if I'll be able to forgive you for the lack of support you've shown me. But... I am glad that you're here.Surprisingly."

And it was true—Ifelt an unexpected lightness seeing my father here, knowing that he was on myside.

Aman enteredand whispered to Christophe, who nodded and spoke up. "Gregor is on his wayup."

Arthurand I sat at the conference table, with one seat for my husband on the opposite side, our family lined up behind us. The room fell into silence as we waited. I closed my eyes, and could hear the pounding of my heart. I didn't want to see him again. I'd only been away for a little over a week, but all this time spent with Arthur had made it feel like much longer. I wanted to just continue on like this, to let him disappear as a distant memory, a bad dream. I didn't want to go back to that time, that frame ofmind.

IfeltArthur's hand on my thigh, and he gave me a reassuring squeeze. I slipped my hand into his and squeezedback.

He's here with me,I thought.Everything will be fine. Immediately, I feltstronger.

There wasa knock on the door, and one of the attending security guards announced, "Mr. Gregor Houndfang, Silver Sun Clan," before pulling the doorsopen.

Two men entered first,Gregor's private security guards, Max and Bingo, two musclebound omegas who I was positive Gregor had slept with. He didn't make secrets of his trysts, often times on purpose just so I knew. Behind them followed my husband. He looked down his nose at me, glaring with venom in his eyes. Then he found Jupiter, and his expression changed into one of false joy. It was disturbing how easily he could do that, to make himself look so charming when he wantedsomething.

"Jupiter,little sweetie-pup. Come to yourfather."

Jupiter stood next to Dimitrius,who had his hand placed gently on his shoulder. She didn'tmove.

"Come on,Jupiter. You must've missed being kept away from me by your daddy. Isn’t he mean? Comehere."

"Jupiter?"I called to her, turning around. "Do you want to go to your father? It's yourchoice."

She shook her head vigorously,backing up further behind Dad and Dimitrius'slegs.

"Dog shit!"Gregor snapped. "She's been brainwashed by him!" He jabbed a finger at me, and I felt Arthur's grip tighten on myhand.

"The girl made her own decision,"Christophe said, his voice filling the room. It startled me, hearing him speak in such an authoritative tone. It wasn't the same voice that I'd heard during the family conversations at the house, it sounded more like his father's voice. "Take a seat, Mr.Houndfang."

Gregor looked stunned,and it seemed like he was going to carry on, but then decided it would be better not to with the entire Luna family staring him down from across the room. He sat down across from us, and resumed his venomous glare at me. I glared back, feelingstrong.

"You've hadtime to consider the challenge made by Arthur Luna," Christophe said. "A wolf-cycle race, when if defeated, you must nullify your marriage to Perichor. How do you respond to thechallenge?"

"Unacceptable,"he said. "I lose, I lose everything. I win, what do I get? He's my husband, he's running off and being unfaithful, I shouldn't be defendinganything."

Isnorted."I have been faithful for the last thirteen years! Thirteen years that you have, without even any regard for discretion or consideration for the feelings of our daughter, cheated onme!"

"You do understandthe consequences of rejecting this challenge of honor, Mr. Houndfang?" Christophe asked, using his tone to silence both sides. "An unwillingness to defend your name will mean the reason for the challenge is justified and the allegations against you are true. Your clan will know. If you do lose the challenge, you will have defended yourreputation."

Gregor shifted in his seat. "Yes,"he said, unhappily. "Though, I think it's pretty plain to see that the stakes are uneven. I have far more tolose."

"Regardless of how you feel,the challenge stands," Arthur said. "And is bound by the clans. But if it'll make you feel any better, I'll add two things to my offer. If I lose, I'll quit wolf-cycleracing."

Ilooked at him,surprised.

"And..."He squeezed my hand slightly. "I will exile myself from the Crescent MoonClan."

Agasp wentup from the wholefamily.

"Arthur,"I said, completely shocked. "No!"

"You can't, son,"his father said. "You can't dothat."

"Iwantto make sure that this deal is fairly agreed upon," he said. "As much as I hate admitting it, he's right. There's far more at stake on his side... regardless of his actual feelings towards Perry andJupiter."

It mademe so angry that Gregor had even made this an issue. This was how little he cared about us. He only saw us as property. That was our value to him. Ofcoursehe wouldn't just care about winning this. There had to be something in it for him other than defending his right to his husband and daughter.Dogshit!

"Think about this, Arthur,"Christophe said in a lowvoice.