“You can’t decide who will be the other part of your soul. You should know that by now.”

“I do.” Liam snarled softly. “Did you find anything out about her family?” Liam asked, trying to sit up.

Dante let out a put-upon sigh, even though Liam knew it was fake, and then went to help Liam.

Even through the pain, Liam just breathed and found himself sitting up, the dragon fluffing his pillows behind him. He would have to tell Alec and Hunter about that later.

“Jace found the rest of her demise. They were wiped out by another one. Charlie must’ve come across it and found the only living member. She was hiding under a pile of blankets.”

“Mili,” Liam cursed. “Another demise did it? Foxes did that to each other?”

“Apparently, Mili’s demise was encroaching on the other group’s land. It’s not unheard of, and there are Pack wars and dragon wars that prove that. It’s not just them.”

“Goddess.”

“Exactly. We’ve been reaching out to who we can. However, no other fox wants her, not when her demise was the one that encroached. She has shame associated with her name, according to them anyway.”

“That’s bullshit. She’s a baby.”

“I agree.”

Liam knew what he needed to say, even though he hadn’t even talked to Alec about it. “She’s ours now. We’ll take her.”

“I had hoped that would be the case.” Dante grinned, though it looked more like a dragon’s snarl than anything. Dante was one scary bastard.

“That is if that’s what Mili wants. And Alec.”

“I have a feeling that’s exactly what’s going to happen. However, I’m going to speak for all of us when I say that Nadie, Jace, and I will be honorary aunt and uncles. Do you hear me?” A little tendril of smoke wafted from Dante’s nostril, and Liam nodded. “I would have said yes, even without the threat of burning alive. Thanks for that image.”

Dante shook his head. “I don’t burn anyone alive. Not after what we saw.”

“Jace’s brother?” I asked, trying to remember the battle. It had almost been the end of the world as everyone knew it. Humans could have died in mass extinction if they hadn’t fought against Dante’s mother and the rest of those standing against the Conclave. Jace’s brother, Torrent, had died. Burned to a crisp in front of them. An echoing scream from Jace and his family still filled Liam’s mind sometimes.

“I’m sorry for bringing it up again.”

Dante shook his head. “I don’t know why it came to my mind just now either. We’re healing. Jace doesn’t talk about him every day like he used to. I’ll always regret that we lost Torrent in our fight.”

“We’ve lost a lot over the past few years.”

“I’ve been alive for millennia. I know loss. I don’t want to have it again.” Dante sat up then, stretching his back as he did so. “I’m glad you have your mate. The mating bond shines brightly between the two of you. And soon, you’ll have your child. Mili is special, that one.”

And with that cryptic statement, Dante stomped out of the room, smoke trailing behind him. Liam didn’t think Dante could help it sometimes. He liked being mysterious, and the smoke helped.

Liam was just about to swing his legs over the side of the bed when a sharp voice permeated the air. “Don’t you dare think about getting out of that bed.”

He looked up as Alec strode in, a little girl with light brown skin, dark brown hair, and honey brown eyes in his arms.

Liam’s heart clenched at the sight. He couldn’t help it. He loved that man so much that it hurt. And now Mili… Their daughter.Ifit all worked out. He still couldn’t quite believe it.

“I was just getting up to come and see you.”

“Well, now I’m here. So, don’t get up and hurt yourself.”

Liam settled back against the pillows, holding back a wince so he wouldn’t worry Mili. Her wide eyes were fixed on him, her little nose twitching like a baby fox’s.

Hell, she was so damn cute.

“Hi there,” Liam said. Feeling awkward. “I’m Liam.”