She cocked her head. “That better not be an excuse.”
I huffed a laugh, hopeful anticipation brewing inside. I understood now why Lucian had assigned Maya Cartridge to me.
I could tell that she was exactly what I needed.
I shook my head. “No excuses.”
She nodded and extended a hand. I took it. Like the rest of her, her grip was firm, powerful.
“Get some rest, Sera. We start bright and early tomorrow.”
I nodded. “Thank you, Maya.”
She gave me a slow, devious smile. “You won’t be saying that when I have you on your knees, puking up your intestines.”
My mouth dropped open, and she threw her head back, laughing.
“See you, Sera,” she threw over her shoulder as she walked out of the room.
Her voice held promise-of torture and agony. But I knew that if I could brave through that,
I would come out stronger than ever.
I couldn’t wait.
***
Later, as I slipped into my car, eagerly anticipating going home and soaking in a hot lavender bath, my phone buzzed.
I reached for it and frowned at the name on the screen: Michelle Brenner-Daniel’s homeroom teacher.
Did this have to do with Daniel’s absence from school? Kieran assured me he’d sorted it all out.
“Hello?”
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Blackthorne.”
I winced. I really needed to go about changing my name-or at least letting the people around me know I was divorced.
“I called to remind you about the parent-teacher conference this evening.”
I bit back a groan. I’d forgotten about Daniel’s biannual PTC.
“I trust you and Mr. Blackthorne will be attending together as usual?”
My stomach turned.
The kiss had momentarily left my headspace while I was trying not to die sparring with
Maya. But now, it returned with a vengeance-sharp and achingly vivid.
I cleared my throat. “Yes,” I said, forcing the word out. “We’ll be there.”
If I didn’t shoot myself in the head before then.
SERAPHINA’S POV
I stared down at the text I had sent Kieran this afternoon after Miss Brenner’s phone call.
‘Daniel’s PTC at six.’
And his reply: ‘I know. I’ll be there.
I’d dreaded seeing him again after the kiss, a knot of unease and discomfort pulling at my stomach.
I should have saved myself the mental energy-the parent-teacher conference was nearly over, and Kieran still hadn’t shown up.
I kept glancing at the door, waiting-fucking praying-he’d walk in at the last second, his usual scowl in place, ready with an apology.
But the door stayed closed. His seat next to me remained empty. And every tick of the clock only made the hollow pit in my stomach grow deeper.
I pulled out my phone again and called him for the fifth time. Straight to voicemail. No message. Just that cold, empty beep.
Miss Brenner had asked me for the sixth time if my ‘husband’ was coming, and I’d told her:
“He’s just running late; five more minutes” six times.
I couldn’t sit in that uncertainty any longer, so I called Gavin. If anyone knew where Kieran was, it’d be him.
“Hey, Gavin,” I said, keeping my voice steady.
Like the rest of Kieran’s pack members, I didn’t have much of a relationship with Gavin, but unlike the rest of them, he’d never shown hostility to me-at least not outwardly.
“Sorry to bother you. Do you know where Kieran is?”
There was a pause, just long enough to set me on edge. “Yeah,” he finally answered. “He’s… out. With Celeste.”
My heart dropped. Celeste. Of course.
I took a deep, calming breath. “Okay, thanks, Gavin,” I said, forcing my voice to be steady.
I ended the call and stuffed my phone back into my purse before I threw it across the room in frustration.
“Mrs. Blackthorne?”
I looked up and forced a smile when Miss Brenner smiled down at me and asked the same question for the seventh time. “Can we expect Mr. Blackthorne soon?”
She’d had her one-on-one with all the other parents and students in Daniel’s class, and now it was just me and her in the classroom.
I gave her an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry for keeping you waiting, but it turns out that my-” I caught myself. “Daniel’s father won’t be able to make it.”
“Oh. I hope there’s no problem?”
There was-named Celeste.
I shook my head. “Oh, no. He just got too caught up with work.”
“Right.” She nodded. If she could sense my sour mood, she made no indication. “Well, shall we begin?”
“Yes.” I took a deep breath. “Let’s.”
“How is Daniel, by the way?” she asked. “The whole class misses him.”
“He’s doing well, thank you. He has a tutor who comes in every day, so he’s up to date with his school work.”
She nodded. “Good. I have no doubt that he’ll do well and will be up to speed by the time he returns. Do you have any idea when that might be?”
I pursed my lips. “No. Soon, hopefully.”
“Okay, then. Well, let’s dive deeper, shall we?” She looked through a file in her hand.
“Academically, Daniel is excelling. He’s reading above grade level, his math skills are strong, and his writing shows real thought and creativity.”
My next smile was genuine. “He’s really a brilliant boy. He always pushes himself.”
She smiled. “It shows. He’s also extremely kind and demonstrates a great deal of emotional intelligence for his age. He always raises his hand, helps his classmates, and volunteers to lead group projects. He’s respectful, empathetic, and very self-motivated.”
Pride swelled in my chest like a balloon-and was immediately deflated by the fact that
Kieran wasn’t here to hear all the amazing things about our son.
“One thing, though,” Miss Brenner added. “Has Daniel been going through any… changes lately?”
I stiffened slightly. “What do you mean?”
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply