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“Aisha”, Ethan mumbles dryly.

The woman’s name might be Aisha but I recognize her as the same woman I found in bed with Julian. The woman who was getting fucked while screaming Julian’s name to the top of her lungs.

If I was bitter, I would tell her to her face that the last six years haven’t been fair to her. She’s thinner. Has wrinkles andeye bags on her face. And her smile doesn’t reach her hollow eyes.

But since I don’t care about her, I make an attempt to walk past her only for her to stop me in my tracks.

“Lila, please wait.”

She knows my name. Of course she does.

“We don’t have to do this. I don’t know you nor do I care about you.”

“I deserve that kind of dismissal from you, Lila and from the bottom of my heart, I apologize for what went down between me and Julian. I thought I was in love, turns out Julian Hells never loves anyone but himself.”

I don’t speak. I have no need to speak to her.

"Look, you don’t have to forgive me. I just…I wanted you to know that I’m not proud of it. And I also think you should be careful."

Ethan twitches beside me and that catches my attention so I turn to him knowing that Aisha won’t say whatever she needs to with Ethan’s presence here.

“Can you take Lina to the car? I’ll be right there.”

Ethan doesn’t look like he’s going to budge but the glare i give him tells him I don’t need him to be stubborn after the kind of day I’ve had.

“Five minutes, Lila. If you are not in the car in five minutes, I’ll be back here with Lina to take you home.”

I give him a nod. Ethan walks away with Lina and only then does Aisha notice my little girl.

“That little girl…she is your daughter?” Aisha asks.

“I don’t see how that’s any of your concern. You said I have to be careful. Careful of what?”

"Julian and Alaric. They’re both looking for Irene. That’s what this entire power struggle has been about for years. Irene’s bloodline is supposed to anchor the Moonlight Pack’s legacy.There are people loyal to her. People who believe she’ll restore the pack’s broken future. If either of them finds her, they gain full control over the old bloodline."

People like Elder Matthew?

"So, you think they’re using me to get to Irene?"

"I don’t know. Maybe. Julian asked me for a divorce, and he has been complaining about Alaric stealing you from him. When they find Irene, it won’t matter what you are to them, they—Alaric—will discard you. For them, Irene and having power is all that will ever matter to them.”

Aisha gives me a smile, and she leaves before I can respond.

I make my way to the parking lot, I don't want to believe Aisha’s words because Alaric has proven to me these past few days that Lina and I matter to him.

And when the tests are back and he is proven to be Lina’s father, I know he’ll help me rescue Lina. I just know it.

The rain starts falling as soon as I get into the car. I hold Lina in the backseat, trying not to let my mind wander to the evil thoughts that threaten to cripple me.

Ethan changes lanes on the highway, and that’s when—

A flash of light appears out of nowhere.

A truck swerves into our lane.

Tires screech against the tarmac. A horn blares.

Ethan jerks the wheel. The car spins, and Lina wakes up screaming.