Lynn's POV

I set my pencil down, the final stroke of the sketch complete.

Brian Stanton stands beside my drafting table, arms crossed, waiting. He doesn't rush me. He never does. My designs make him millions—awards, prestige, celebrity endorsements. Margaret Jewelry Company's CEO knows better than to interrupt my process.

He's more than my boss. Brian owns an LLP law firm where I work part-time after getting my law degree. Turns out I'm good at it—contract review, negotiations, the occasional courtroom appearance.

But jewelry design is what I love. What I've dreamed about since I was a kid.

The law work pays better though. And I need the money. Two children don't raise themselves.

"Perfect." I lean back, studying the emerald pendant design. Clean lines, elegant setting. It'll photograph beautifully.

Brian reaches past me and drops a black envelope onto my work.

My breath catches.

"You want to tell me why Hamilton Corporation is contacting my chief designer?" His voice is sharp. "Are they trying to poach you for their jewelry division?"

The insignia stares up at me—stamped in black wax.

'Run,' Istha snarls.

I can't. My fingers are numb.

"Lynn." Brian's tone hardens. "That would be a betrayal. You know that."

"I'm not—" My voice cracks. I clear my throat. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Then explain the letter from a billion-dollar corporation."

I fought to hold back my panic,so Brian wouldn’t detect--Grayson found me. At my workplace. Sent a formal letter that required corporate sign-off.

Shirley. It has to be her. She'll kill me this time. And when she discovers Baron and Lira—

'The pups,' Istha whimpers. 'She'll hurt them.'

Illegitimate heirs are a threat. A stain on pack bloodlines. Shirley won't hesitate. And Grayson—he'll do what an Alpha does. Execute the bastards. Protect his legitimate line.

"How did you get this?" I force the words out.

"It came through official channels. Required a company receipt." Brian picks up the envelope, turning it over. "I want answers, Lynn. Now."

I grip the edge of my drafting table. "It's not what you think."

"Then what is it?"

My mind races. I can't tell him about the pack. About wolves. About the Alpha who threw me out six years ago while I carried his children.

Wolfen society law forbids revealing the truth to humans.

"I was born there." The lie tastes bitter. "My family worked for Hamilton Corporation. I left because I wanted my own life. My own career."

Brian stares at me. "You've never lied to me before."

"I'm not—"

"Don't." He holds up a hand. "I know you, Lynn. You don't lie. Ever. So whatever's in this letter, it's bad enough that you'd rather I think you're betraying me than tell me the truth."

'He's too smart,' Istha mutters.

Brian breaks the seal.

Panic claws up my throat. My wolf identity is about to be exposed. The twins. Everything.

He unfolds the paper and reads aloud. "'Lynn Beverly. You are hereby summoned to return to Hamilton Corporation headquarters. Your presence is required. You have three days from receipt of this letter to confirm your compliance. Failure to respond will result in escalated measures. Grayson Hamilton.'"

My body goes rigid.

Brian tosses the letter onto my drafting table. "Hamilton Corporation?And they're summoning you."

"I'm not going."

Brian crosses his arms. "This reads like a legal threat. 'Escalated measures'? What does that mean?"

I look down at the letter.

A single flower is drawn at the bottom in red ink. Delicate petals, distinctive leaves.

Wolfsbane.

'They'll kill us,' Istha whispers. 'Poison. Pain. Death.'

My hands shake. I press them flat against the table.

"Lynn?" Brian's voice softens. "What is that flower?"

"Nothing. It's just—decoration."

He studies my face for a long moment, then nods. "What do you owe them?"

I latch onto the excuse. "Money. I owe them money."

"How much?"

"A lot."

"I'll pay it." He doesn't hesitate. "Whatever it is, I'll cover it. You pay me back in installments. Take as long as you need."

My throat tightens. "Brian—"

"I'm not losing you. Not as my designer, not as my lawyer, and not as my friend." He grips my shoulder. "Let me help."

'Can't tell him,' Istha says. 'Can't explain.'

I know. I know I can't accept. I know this isn't about money.

This is about an Alpha who wants his pack member back. Who'll send wolves to drag me home if I don't comply.

Who'll find Baron and Lira.

And then what? Shirley will see them. See Baron's ice-blue eyes, his blonde hair—Grayson's face in miniature. She'll know. She'll scream about illegitimate heirs threatening her position, demanding their execution.

And Grayson—he'll have no choice. Bastard children are a stain on Alpha bloodlines. A threat to legitimate succession. He'll do what any Alpha would do to protect pack hierarchy.

He'll kill them himself.

'Protect pups,' Istha whimpers. 'Can't let him find them.'

I could leave them with Yanis and Wendy. Let them grow up human, orphaned but safe. Better than facing Shirley's rage. Better than watching Grayson snap their necks to preserve pack law.

"I need to think." My voice sounds hollow.

Brian squeezes my shoulder once, then lets go. "Three days. You've got three days to tell me what's really going on, or I'm handling this myself. I've got lawyers, Lynn. Resources. You're not facing this alone."

He leaves.

I stare at the wolfsbane drawn at the bottom of Grayson's letter.

Six years. Six years of building this life. Awards. Career. Children. Safety.

And he's going to take it all away.

'Remember,' Istha whispers.

I don't want to remember. But the memories come anyway.

*****

Six years ago. Different apartment. Different life.

Grayson's bed, sheets tangled around us. His arm heavy across my waist, his breath warm against my neck. His fingers traced slow patterns on my hip, possessive and gentle all at once.

I'd pressed closer, his heartbeat steady against my back. Safe. Wanted. His.

Two weeks later, he'd thrown me out. Threatened to kill me. Watched me run like he'd never touched me at all.

Now he's hunting me. And when he finds out about Baron and Lira—about his children—he'll finish what he started.

*****

I pick up the letter again.

The wolfsbane mocks me. Grayson knows exactly what he's doing. He knows I can't ignore this. Can't run anymore.

I fold the letter carefully, tucking the wolfsbane drawing inside. Then I slip it into my bag.

Three days.

What fate is waiting for me?