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“Sometimes that’s not a good thing,” Steph said. “At least, not in my world. That conversation put things into perspective for me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Sean can never come back to the clan. He can never recover and come back as a member of Lakeview, and he can never leave and become an alpha of his own clan. All I wanted was for him to be the brother I remembered, you know? But last night I realized that would never be possible because that brother doesn’t exist. He never did. The man Sean is now, is the man he’s always been. Thegoodman was the façade.”

“Steph…” I whispered. My heart felt like it was shattering. “I’m so sorry.”

He sighed. “I am, too.”

“Did you tell Hawk?”

“Not yet. I don’t know if I will.” He pulled away and poured himself a cup of coffee. “I don’t know if that will make Sean’s death easier on him or harder. Part of me wants him to keep the memories I’ve lost.”

I hummed in understanding.

“Pushing Forrest out worked. Sean snapped on the call. He’s going to challenge me.”

My eyes widened. Fear and anticipation built within me. The challenge terrified me. Steph would be putting his life on the line. No matter how small Steph said the chance was, there was still a chance that he would be seriously hurt or worse. If that chance didn’t exist, he would’ve claimed me already.

But the challenge was happening.

That meant no more living in fear. No more looking over my shoulder for kidnappers.

And soon, this would all be over.

“When is it?” I asked.

“Not sure yet,” Steph said. “Sean has to set the time and place. It’s his challenge, after all.”

He leaned against the counter, set his coffee aside, and then held his hand out to me. I let him pull me close again and wound my arms around his neck. We shared a kiss. “I know I shouldn’t be worried about you,” I murmured against his lips, “but I can’t help it.”

“Sean thinks he can beat me because of his bruised ego, which is exactly what I wanted. He’ll be cocky and sloppy. I’ll kill him, and this will finally come to an end.”

“I know you will.” I leaned forward and kissed his neck. “But it’s hard not to worry when you won’t claim me.”

He exhaled a short laugh. “I won’t let you drive without a seatbelt, either.” Before I could respond to that, he caught my lips in a deep kiss. “Harley, nothing will stop me from coming home to you and our son. Nothing.”

“Good,” I said. “You better.”

There was a knock at the front door, and Steph and I reluctantly untangled ourselves. Before I could answer the door, it opened, and Mia whirled inside like a hurricane. Her hair was tied back in two French braids, and she was wearing an old college soccer jersey. “Can’t stay long. Got the cooler in the car, so I don’t want it to get too hot. Tons of snacks for the kiddos, you know.Wow,it smells good in here. It always smells good in here. My house smells like diapers.” She rolled her eyes.

“Morning, Mia,” I said with a laugh. “You want a breakfast sandwich for the road?”

“Oh my god, you’re an angel. I’d love one.”

“Did someone say breakfast sandwiches?” Cassidy descended the stairs with Striker on her heels. She was still in her pajamas—sweatpants and a big, loose T-shirt—and when she moved, the neckline of the shirt slid to the side, revealing a bright pink bite at the curve of her neck and shoulder.

I squawked and slapped my hand over my mouth. “Cassidy!” I shouted, the sound muffled beneath my hand. “What the hell isthat?!”

Cassidy cringed and adjusted her shirt. It didn’t really work—the edges of the claiming bite were still visible.

“Striker,” Steph said in a stern voice. “Same question.”

“What?” Cassidy threw her hands up and marched into the kitchen to fix her coffee. “It was the heat of the moment. Sue me.”

“Theheat of the moment?”I echoed. “You do know that lastsforever, right?”

“Does she, Striker?” Steph crossed his arms over his chest.