Page 16

Leanna Avery

It takes me three days to recover.

Maya is a constant presence in my home, refusing to leave me by myself. “What if you fall over in the bathroom or something else happens to you? Jerry told me your insides are still healing. No, I’m not going anywhere.”

Maya and Jerry are not the only ones keeping an eye on me. Cedric has stationed himself outside my house, in the large park across the road. He doesn’t try to come inside like I expected he would, though. It’s more like he’s watching over us.

“Hmm. I thought he would force his way in, like last time,” Maya muses over breakfast. “By the way, he’s the one who kicked that hole in your door. How’d you get it fixed so fast?”

I shrug. “I have a contact. They replaced the whole thing last night while you were in the shower.”

Maya studies me, eating her muesli. “Is it just me or are you a little too calm about your ex stalking you like this? I’d be blowing a gasket and calling the police. And then there’s all the meat he keeps dropping off at your doorstep. Those are expensive brands.”

“I’m more surprised he knows the brands,” I mutter. “And there’s nothing the police can do. He is a king, after all. And no matter what Erik says, he’s not going to let anything happen to Cedric.”

“A king.” Maya blinks. “You’re royalty, huh? I always wondered how you had such elegant table manners. Now I know.”

“I’m royalty by association, I guess.” I sip my coffee. “Anyway, it’s better he’s out there than in here. I don’t want to see him.”

Maya waggles her fork in the air. “You’re going to have to at some point. Why not just nip it in the bud?”

“Because he’s not going to let me nip anything in any bud,” I say irritably. “I don’t think Cedric knows what the word ‘no’ means.” I glance at her. “In any case, I have to go to the palace today. Shouldn’t you be getting to work?”

Maya makes a face. “Don’t remind me. I’m going to start looking for a new job.”

Surprised, I set down my cup and stare at her. “I thought you just got a promotion with a pay raise?”

“I’m a researcher, Leanna. I like to get my hands dirty. I like to discover and solve things, not sit behind a desk writing reports. That’s what the new promotion means. I’ve talked to my boss about going back to my old position, but he won’t hear it. At this rate, I’m going to end up smacking him in the face with my resignation letter. The whole reason he doesn’t want me in the lab is because his wife and I don’t get along. Hustling me to another department using a promotion is just another way to cover up her many mistakes in the lab.”

“Sounds like you need a vacation.”

“I need a new job, with fewer people breathing down my neck,” she complains. Maya lowers her head down to the kitchen table. “Why can’t I get what I want? I just want to work. I like my work. Why won’t they let me work?”

I roll up my newspaper and reach across the table to pat her head with it. “There, there. Life sucks.”

“It does,” she moans.

“Let’s get some ice cream after work and watch that reality show you’ve been recording here.”

Her head pops up, guilt in her eyes. “You know about that?”

“Finn isn’t good at keeping secrets. And since you’ve been having him save the episodes for you, it hasn’t exactly missed my notice.”

Maya gives me a wry grin. “Sorry.”

“Have some more coffee and cheer up. I’ll help you look for a new job if you want.”

I pour her another cup, and she rests her cheek on her palm. “I can’t decide whose life sucks more right now. Although, considering you nearly got killed, practically disemboweled, and your ex is back in your life like a stalker, I think you’re winning.”

“Thanks,” I say dryly. “That’s very reassuring. Go get Finn dressed, will you? We have to leave in an hour.”

“Why do I have to do it?” she protests.

“You just have to make sure he doesn’t put on something ridiculous, Maya. And because you deleted the interview I wanted to watch.”

My friend grimaces before draining her coffee and heading up the steps, grumbling, “Interview, my ass. I bet it was porn.”

I chuckle. “It could have been. It’s my word against yours, isn’t it?”

She mutters something else under her breath, and I ignore it. As long as she makes sure Finn doesn’t put his underwear on his head like one of those ridiculous superheroes he’s so fond of, I don’t care what she says.

As I move toward the sink, I wince at the ache in my belly. I’ve healed, but not entirely.

Glancing out the kitchen window, I know today isn’t going to be easy by any means. Cedric may be giving me space right now, but for how long?

I’m proven right when I exit the house and see Cedric waiting in the driveway for me.

“Leanna—”

“Get in the car, Finn,” I order. Without another word to Cedric, I make sure my son is safely buckled up and then drive off.

Did I really think that would be enough to get rid of him? Imagine my irritation when I see Cedric reach the palace entrance just before we do.

As soon as I exit the car, he approaches me. My jaw tenses, and I pick Finn up in my arms.

“Mom!” My son never protests being carried. It’s still his favorite mode of transportation. But when he sees Cedric, his face turns bright red, and he begins wriggling in my arms. “Mom, put me down!”

“Let the boy get down, Leanna,” Cedric says disapprovingly. “He’s seven. Stop treating him like an infant.”

I bristle. “He’s my son. If I want to carry him, that’s up to me. Stay out of it.”

But Cedric has never been one to listen. He plucks Finn out of my arms and sets him down on the ground. Before I can pick the boy up again, he moves away from me.

“Mom, stop. I don’t want to be carried. I can walk.”

“But—”

He gives me an awkward look, whispering, “You’re embarrassing me!”

I stare at him, stunned. Embarrassing him? In front of whom?

Cedric gives him an approving look. “See? You don’t have to coddle the child. When I was his age, my mother didn’t hold my finger and walk me around. I could carry a sword like any other soldier.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “If I were you, I would shut up right now. My son isn’t going to pick up a sword or learn how to fight.” I’ve already noticed the glitter of interest in Finn’s eyes, and when he looks up at me, I can see the argument forming in his head. “Don’t even think about it.”

It’s annoying enough that ever since the night Cedric brought me home, Finn has been talking nonstop about him. Fortunately, Cedric did not tell him who he is. If he had, I would have my hands full with the little troublemaker that I gave birth to.

But my son is no fool. He’s going to find out, and when he does, it’s not going to be pretty.

I’m not happy with this turn of events. It seems that I’m losing control of the situation. I want minimum interaction between Finn and Cedric, but even I know that’s not going to be possible.

I glare at the man. “Why are you here?”

He shrugs. “Just waiting for you.”

“Well, next time, don’t,” I say tightly. “I’m here to see Erik.”

The way Cedric’s eyes darken in anger makes me want to sneer at him. It feels good to get some shots in. Because of him, everything is going haywire. My perfectly organized life is falling apart.

As Finn runs ahead of us, Cedric falls into step beside me. He still towers over me, and I hate that I have to look up at him. “You’re going to have to provide proper education to the boy.”

“First of all,” I say coolly, “his name is Finn. And second, he’s getting a good education in the human world.”

“Is he going to learn how to be an heir and how to rule a kingdom from the humans?” Cedric gives me a look, and the arrogance in his eyes makes me want to smack him.

“No, because he doesn’t need to learn any of those things,” I reply shortly. “He’s going to learn how to be a decent person and get a job away from the wolf society.”

Cedric scoffs. “If you think I’m going to let you provide my son with an inadequate education, you’re mistaken.”

I turn to face him abruptly. My voice is cold. “If you think you’re going to bring him back to the Northern Kingdom to educate him, you’d better kill me first. Because the only way you’re getting him there is over my dead body.”

He clenches his teeth, and I see the struggle of emotion behind his eyes. “I’m not going to kill you, Leanna. And I’m not going to hurt our child.”

“Oh, yes.” I begin walking again, my voice sarcastic. “I should believe that because you’re so trustworthy, right?”

I don’t care if my words are harsh. He doesn’t know a fraction of the pain that I’ve been through. Even now, being around him is hard. My wolf is conflicted. It can sense its mate, but it is also wary of the pain associated with him.

“You will come back with me, as well, Leanna,” Cedric says confidently. “The North is your home. But I want you to go willingly.”

“Sure.” I tilt my head back and search the sky. “Do you see pigs flying? Because I don’t.”

He frowns at me and follows my gaze. “What pigs?”

Irritation floods me, and I mutter, “Never mind. I’m here to work. I don’t have time to talk to you.”

He falls silent and accompanies me to the palace entrance, but every couple of steps, I see him looking around for the flying pigs I mentioned.

It would be funny if I weren’t so angry.

Willingly, my ass.

Erik looks resigned upon seeing Cedric beside me. There is a young man standing next to him. He looks to be in his mid-twenties, with soft golden curls and blue eyes concealed behind square, thick-rimmed glasses.

“Leanna, this is Cassian Vayne. He’s Jerry’s nephew. Cassian works in my intelligence division, and he will be the face of the task force.”

Cassian beams at me, a dimple showing in his right cheek. “Thrilled to meet you, Leanna. My uncle talks about you a lot.”

He reaches out to shake my hand, and Cedric growls, “Put that hand down.”

“Cedric!” I hiss.

He huffs and looks away, a scowl on his face.

Cassian appears alarmed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you, King Raine. I’ve just always admired Miss Avery—”

“Why don’t you keep your feelings to yourself and just do what you’re told.” Cedric bares his teeth at him, and I glare at Cedric, a warning growl building in my throat.

He glances at me and then looks away once again, muttering something under his breath.

I exchange a look with Erik. Cedric’s going to be a problem. There’s no doubt about it. He’s not going to make this easy.

Cassian excuses himself, leaving Cedric, Erik, and me alone.

Erik rubs his temples. “We agreed that you would be involved with this, Cedric, but if you start attacking every male just because they speak to Leanna, it’s going to cause issues.”

“I have no problem with anyone speaking to her,” Cedric retorts, “as long as they keep it professional. But I don’t understand why she even needs to work on this matter. Isn’t one attempt on her life enough? If I had it my way—”

“But you don’t have it your way, do you?” I decide to speak up, my eyes glittering with anger. “Why is he here, Erik?”

“He wants to be part of the process—”

“He has no business being in this meeting,” I argue.

“It is my business to watch over my mate,” Cedric states emphatically.

“I am not your mate!” I shoot back. “Your mate is Vivian!”

Cedric goes rigid but doesn’t respond. He has not once denied his link to her. How convenient.

“I have accepted Erik’s proposal,” I explain, staring at him. “Very soon, our fated mate bond will disappear. So, get over yourself. There is nothing between us.”

Cedric’s eyes dart toward Erik. “If that bastard even thinks of marking you—”

“If he doesn’t, I won’t lead this investigation.” I throw this out there, and Erik freezes.

“We never agreed to that.”

“The terms have changed,” I respond firmly. The king of the Human Wolf Kingdom gives me a wary look, and I continue. “You dragged me into this, Erik. You’re the reason Cedric knows about Finn and why he’s threatening to take my son from me. You said you would protect us from him. Unless you’re backing out—”

“I’m not,” Erik says hurriedly. “I’m not. You have my word.”

“You fucking bastard!” Furious, Cedric is about to leap at him, but I step in his path, blocking his way.

“That’s enough!”

He freezes, his fist suspended in mid-air.

“This is my decision,” I tell him. “Not yours. I am not your subject or your prisoner anymore, Cedric. Get that through your head. Whatever you’re trying to do isn’t going to work. So, stop it before I decide to take Finn and disappear. This time, I’ll make sure you’re never able to find us.”

His face turns white, and he lowers his fist. “You wouldn’t do that.”

“Try me.”

“I’m his father!” Cedric’s voice is filled with anguish, and it takes every drop of willpower not to let his pain get to me.

I can’t trust him. What if it’s an act?

I don’t care if he is Finn’s father. I will never subject my son to anything that can harm him.

I turn my back to him. “You’ve done enough damage to me, Cedric. I’m not going to give you an opportunity to hurt our son. You have Vivian. Have children with her. Have your heirs with—”

He grabs my arm, forcing me to face him again. “Is that what this is about? Vivian? I’ll throw her in a dungeon. I’ll do to her what she did to you! She and Bella will pay—”

I shove his hand off of me. “If you intended to make them pay for what they did to me, you would have done so long ago. But Vivian is living in your castle as your queen, isn’t she? And Bella is still alive, isn’t she?”

When he doesn’t say anything, I laugh bitterly.

“Let’s be honest, Cedric. You don’t want me back. You want to finish the job. You can’t bear the idea of having me out here, alive, of having had your order disobeyed. You can’t tolerate the existence of a child with tainted blood—”

“That’s enough, Leanna!”

It’s not Cedric who raises his voice, but Erik. Cedric is silent, his lips pressed together so tight that they’re white. He looks tormented.

“That’s quite enough,” Erik says, disapproval heavy in his tone. “You’re being unfair here, Leanna, and you know it.”

My jaw tightens. Perhaps I was a little cruel with my words, but I didn’t give Cedric even a taste of the torment I went through. “Fine. But I want him to stay away from me.”

Erik sighs. “Cedric is the one providing security for you and Finn. He and his people will be guarding your home.” I open my mouth to protest, but he lifts his hand. “I’m not going to argue with you about this. It’s already decided. Before you start panicking, he is not going to be able to take you or Finn to the Northern Kingdom without my permission. Since Finn was born here, he is one of my subjects. If Cedric tries to remove him against your will or mine, it will spark a war, and I’m sure King Cedric doesn’t want that. So, you have no say in the matter. It’s either this or you move into the palace.”

I stand there, open-mouthed, not knowing how to respond. Moving into the palace is not an option. I don’t want Finn’s entire life to be disrupted. “Fine,” I repeat through gritted teeth.

Erik’s voice becomes gentler. “Look, I know you’re angry, but the people who attacked you might try again. Think of Finn. For one moment, only consider his safety. Who better to protect him than his own father and the king of the Northern Wolf Kingdom?”

He studies me, and I glance at Cedric, who’s watching me.

“Cedric is an experienced warrior. If anybody can protect you two, it’s him. Don’t think with your heart but with your head. Can you name any other person within the Human Wolf Kingdom that you trust enough to protect Finn?”

My lips part again, but I have no answer. Because the truth is, I don’t know anybody who is as strong as Cedric.

“I am personally guaranteeing your safety, Leanna. Nothing will happen to you,” Erik insists.

I look between the two men. Do I really have a choice? A flicker of helpless anger passes through me. Decisions are being made for me. It pisses me off. Even now, my reins are in somebody else’s hands.

“Fine,” I repeat for the third time. “Now, is there anything else you would like me to do here, or am I allowed to go back home? With your permission, of course.”

Cedric opens his mouth, and I give him a nasty look.

“If I were you, I’d shut up right now.” I start to head toward the door. “I’m leaving.”

“Leanna—” Erik begins, and I shoot him a look of loathing.

“This is your fault, Erik. I don’t know what I was thinking when I made this agreement with you. I should’ve known better.”

I ignore the hurt look on his face. I’m supposed to care about how everyone else feels while they all have the right to trample on me? I stride out of the room toward the palace garden, anger bubbling inside me.

“Finn!” I call out, my voice a little too sharp for my liking.

My son rushes over to me from where he was playing near the gazebo. “Are we going home?”

“Yes.”

“Is he coming with us?” He lowers his voice, and I realize he’s looking at Cedric, who has followed me outside.

“Yes.”

When Finn looks excited about that, I feel a wave of nausea. I want to tell him not to get attached to Cedric. I want to warn my son to keep a safe distance from that man. But the words don’t come out.

Getting in my car, I don’t bother asking Cedric to join us.

He can find his own way back.

As I stir the pot, I glance at Finn, who has had his nose glued to the kitchen window ever since we got home from the store. “Finn, get away from there.”

He looks at me, not listening. “He’s been standing outside for hours, Mom. He’s out there every day. It’s been, like, a week. Can’t we invite him in?”

“No,” I reply shortly.

“Why not?”

I move the spoon around a little more aggressively in the meat stew.

“He didn’t even have lunch, and now we’re having dinner, and—I can take a plate to him!” He gives me a hopeful look.

I set down the spoon and turn to face my son. “Why are you so concerned about him?”

Finn shrugs and looks back out the window. “I don’t know. He seems kind of lonely.”

His words take me by surprise, and despite my reluctance, I walk over to the window and peek out. Cedric is leaning against a tree across the street. That seems to be his preferred spot. His eyes are pinned on the house.

I thought for sure he would try to talk to me, to get me to listen or to convince me to change my mind. But he just watches the house like a silent protector. It doesn’t sit well with me. It would be easier to remain angry if he at least tried to invade my personal space. I need to take out this anger on somebody, preferably him, but Cedric doesn’t want to play along.

He does look a little lonely.

As soon as the thought strikes me, I shake it off. No. I’m not going to feel sorry for him.

“Come on, Mom. Let me take a plate to him. He hasn’t had anything in forever. I never see him eat.” Finn nags me with a persistence only a boy his age could have. When he was born, I altered his birth certificate date with Erik’s help, just a minor precaution. In the eyes of the world, he’s still seven. Not that it matters now.

“No.” My refusal is weaker this time around.

“But why?”

I give him a stern look. “I have my reasons. Now go clean your room and wash up. Dinner will be ready in half an hour.”

Sulking, he heads toward the hall, but not before muttering, “You’re so unfair.”

He’s stubborn to a fault. I wonder where he gets that from.

I shoot a dark look Cedric’s way.

I don’t know how to explain to my son why I’m being this way. I can’t tell him how terrified I am, given how Cedric’s actions seem genuinely protective to everybody else. But I can’t believe that. Before I left, I believed the same thing, that maybe he did care.

And where did that leave me?

I’m too scared to even consider believing that Cedric had nothing to do with what happened eight years ago. What if I trust him now, and it’s all just lie? The consequences would be long lasting. But no one seems to understand that. Probably because nobody else, aside from me, has anything to lose.

I hear a knock, and before I can even turn around, Finn’s bouncing footsteps reach my ears and he’s opening the front door.

“Finn!” I call out in exasperation. He’s not supposed to open the door to anyone.

I’m already heading over when I hear him shout out, “Mom, there’s a lady here!”

A lady? She must be a saleswoman. Odd time to show up, though.

Wiping my hands on the dish towel, I walk toward the door. “We’re not interested in anything you’re sell—”

The words get stuck in my throat when I lay eyes on the woman standing on the front stoop.

Shock has me staggering backward. Eight years has aged the woman who once looked after me, the one I still miss. Fine lines, graying hair. But those kind eyes are the same as always.

“Harriet,” I breathe.