Page 16 of Tamed Wolf

I stand and press a kiss to the top of her head, fighting tears. It feels impossible to go against every instinct my wolf has, because he still recognizes her as our lost mate, and wants to wrap her up and protect her from everything. He wants to feed her and care for our young and provide a good home.

But we’re just shit on her shoe, and even if she doesn’t get yet that living here is a step up from living with me, I do. Maybe she’ll get it someday. “No matter what you think, I still care about you, Lark. My need for other women doesn’t diminish that.”

“Just fucking stop, already.”

“I’ll come back and visit at some point so we can work out custody. I want you to have this time with him though, because I think it’s important for him to have time with his mother in the early part of his life.”

“You’re really going to take him from me, aren’t you?”

“It’s pack law, Lark.”

“Not a requirement though. What the hell are you going to do with a kid? You going to make your girlfriends take care of him? This is a child, Ivan, not a trophy for you to show off. He is the only thing I have. Please, don’t take him from me.”

“You know I have to. Not today, but someday.”

I walk out of that room that does indeed smell of gravy, pain in my chest convincing me I’m in imminent threat of a heart attack even if they’re nearly unheard of in shifters.

I can’t tell her that having a kid is the only way to get my inheritance, because then she’ll really know how weak I am. Especially because that makes it obvious that my number one priority is always myself, not how my actions or needs affect those around me.

Trevor is just sitting next to the car smoking, but I don’t miss the ragged way he breathes or the redness in his eyes that matches the need to cry in mine.

We’re both fucked up, but there’s nothing for it.

Chapter Eight

Lark, After

“Ready or not, here I come!”

The giggles behind the tree give him away, but I pretend to be confused for a good few minutes before ‘accidentally’ finding his hiding spot.

“Mommy! You’re too good at this!”

I scoop him up, which is difficult these days, his long legs dangling as I squeeze him. “I’ve had more years to practice. I thought you said you’ve been practicing at school during recess? I bet you could find me in half the time.”

“Oh, you’re on mom-lady!”

I roll my eyes at the weird term he’s coined for me and won’t let go of, waiting for him to spin and begin counting before I sprint as quietly as possible to find a tree with good climbing limbs.

“Ready or not, here I come!”

I sit perfectly still, laying down on the thick branch, waiting for his footsteps to come in my direction. Of course he heads the opposite way first, but that’s okay, I have nowhere to be.

But then I have to throw myself from the tree and run on the ankle I just turned, half tripping the entire way to the parking lot, because they’re back.

They’re back and I think I know why.

I throw myself in front of my eight-year-old, blocking him. “Leave.”

“Holy fuck, Lark, you look smokin’ hot! Last time we saw you, you were in those hideous sweats. These leggings are a fuck ton better.”

“Donotuse that language in front of my child. Leave.”

Trevor steps forward like he thinks I’ll want a hug, but that’s a hard no. They look like shit. This makes me happy.

“Mom-lady? Who are they?”

Trevor laughs, “Say hi to your daddies!” and I flinch.

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