Page 47 of Luna's Forgotten Vow

"So, basically, you're telling me if you found out you were being stalked by a hot guy who probably had plans to kill you later, you would—" I close Landon's ears. "—fuck him first?"

I let go of Landon, ignoring the searing sensation of having my nipples sucked on. It hurts like fucking hell.

Lilia kicks her foot up and down in the air, popping a chip in her mouth. "Depends on how hot he is."

I shake my head. "You read too many books."

She shoots me a sharp look. "You read too little." She turns on her belly, eating all my snacks. "How are you and Soren? You guys hit it off yet? If I have to stand one more of your longing looks across dinner, I might just toss my clothes into the oven."

Explaining to Lilia why Landon's hair was blonde was much easier than explaining the dynamics of my relationship with Soren. Last she was up to date, I confessed to actually having the hots for him and she had all too happily advised me to seduce him. Force him to take the first step since I had been the one to always draw the line. Make him see I was ready to try something new with him.

I want nothing more than to take it all back now. My throat tightens and I blink back tears quickly.

I haven't told her Ronan is Landon's father, but she'll figure it out soon enough, I'm sure. Much like everyone else.

"Not quite," I murmur. "You said you had a few friends on the human side?"

She nods, unsuspecting of the drastic change of subject. "Manhattan. Why?"

I shrug nonchalantly. "I'd like to visit sometime." More like run away again. "Do black cards work the same here and over there?"

Another nod, but she's scrolling along her phone absentmindedly. "You're not planning on running off, are you?"

I stiffen. "Of course not." Not yet. I haven't decided what to do with the knowledge that Luna Kaida had tried to kill me. Or if she might still be trying for goddess knows what reasons.

The pain in my sore nipple reduces and I peer at Landon's sleepy face. It feels natural, bending over and kissing both his eyes, then his nose, then his cheeks. He doesn't stir, his breaths evened out. "He's out."

Lilia hops off the bed. "Great. I'll get your coat. Not sure why they had to pick now of all times for the Hunt." She disappears into my closet. "It's so damned cold. Pretty sure there are no bears foolish enough to be sitting pretty waiting to be maimed. Wait. Do you think animals have frostbite?!"

The wet nurse slips inside at my call, taking Landon to the nursery with her, and I let myself think about it for the first time since Soren announced it yesterday afternoon.

The Hunt.

When heirs are born, it is tradition that a Hunt be hosted by the Alpha, where a grizzly bear is hunted by the pack, the kill gifted to the father so that its hide might be skinned and made into a coat for the Alpha pup. It is usually a smaller affair, but because Soren is Head Alpha and most of the guests who had been at thegifting ceremony still take up residence at our home, it will for sure make the news.

And that bothers me a lot.

Because Ronan is still here, and while Soren might not take him seriously, I've gotten more than five notes from him to meet privately, to let him meet his son.

I've ignored them all because I can't deal with his bullshit right now. Not when I'm still trying to find a way out of this agreement with Soren.

Lilia returns with a black coat that I shrug into, handing me a pair of matching gloves and we head downstairs, gossiping about Lilia's stay in some city named New York and something about bikers in masks.

The Hunting Party—about thirteen of them—is right outside. Alpha Baldwin—my estranged father—and my asshole half-brother Quinn stand off to the left with a woman I don't recognize. There's Tova and Kaida with Beta Dean and Axel. The latter seems all too pleased with whatever Kaida is saying and my gaze lingers on her, practically boring holes into her back.

But someone else catches my eyes.

My steps falter miserably when I catch sight of another blonde head in their midst.

The hair on my skin rises as two different sets of eyes land on me, crawling from my hair in a high ponytail to the coat that hugs my upper half while revealing my ass that's grown slightly fatter in black pants that look like they've been glued to my skin.

And down they go still, past the flare of my hips, past my thighs, halting on the small black boots Soren had gotten me last month on one of his many trips.

Both Soren and Ronan exhale sharply and my cheeks heat. I fight the insane pressure to hide behind Lilia or run upstairs to change into something else.

"Is it just me or is Alpha Callahan staring at you? Not just staring. He looks like he wants the cookie, Fina," Lilia whispers, pinching my ass.

No, Lily. It isn't just you, I don't say.

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