With Peyton’s baby blanket in hand, I scan the five open suitcases on Peyton and Rey’s bedroom floor. I packed all the important things—clothes, legal documents, favorite stuffed animals, photo albums. There’s no room for anything else. Peyton wouldn’t care less if this faded brown, white, and red wool tartan came with us anyway.

Me, on the other hand?

Ilan gave this to me, saying by tradition, the eldest child in his family’s line would greet their first full moon wrapped in this cloth. Since neither he nor his twin planned on having children, I should have it for my firstborn as I’m the closest he has to family. Nearly six years ago when I’d been overwhelmed by pregnancy hormones and gratitude, I’d cried when he’d handed this tartan to me. Ilan had awkwardly excused himself.

Clutching the ancient tartan-turned-baby-blanket, I toss a sweater from my suitcase to make room for my treasure. I can’t leave it behind.

“Mya?”

The sound of the front door opening warns me of my company a split second before Todd’s voice booms through my apartment.

Letting the blanket fall from my fingers, I jerk to my feet and rush into the living room, firmly closing my daughters’ bedroom door at my back. “Todd! What are you doing here?”

“As your breeding partner, I don’t need a reason. This place belongs to me as much as you do.”

Teeth clenched, I bite back my response. I don’t want to antagonize Todd. I’m so close to freedom. At least until I’m caught and dragged back to Todd. No, I can’t think about that day. All I need is a quarter century. My kids will be mature by then. I’ll be free to leave this world.

Todd’s strained laugh echoes around me while my wolf’s warning growl shakes my body. I share her concern. It wasn’t that long ago that Rick stood in this room and brought me to release. A deep inhale fills my lungs with Ella’s strong perfume and the cleaning products I used in the kitchen this morning. Both cover up any evidence of Rick’s lingering scent. That’s a good thing. Triggering Todd’s instincts is the last thing I want.

Time to remind him why he doesn’t come here. “Are you here to see the girls? Peyton and Rey did say they wanted to ask you about going to their class for Holiday Cookies for Dads’ Day. All the kids will have someone there but them.”

Of course, they planned to ask next week, after the big day their class has been prepping for was over. Peyton and Rey even had an excuse worked out for why they’d be the only ones without someone to share cookies with. They wouldn’t tell me what. I didn’t pressure them, but I’ll have to find out before they leave on Monday. Last time they had to make an excuse for Todd, they wanted to tell everyone he’d died in a fire.

Todd studies me with an intensity I’ve never seen from him. There’s no lust in his gaze or hatred. If I had to guess, I’d label his scrutiny as calculating.

Features scrunched, he tips his head to the side. “Are you feeling well?”

Usually, the mere mention of his children is enough to send my breeding partner running. He’s not budging. Dammit. I don’t know how to handle this. Not only is Todd not reacting the way I expect, but he’s also not yelling. He’s calm. Too calm.

I clear my throat. “Yes. I’m fine.”

“Where’re your smartass comments, then?” Todd closes the door at his back. Then turns the lock and hooks the chain latch. The clink of metal on metal sends a shiver down my spine. “Why aren’t you ranting that this is your place as your name’s on the lease? Or about you being the one to pay the bills?”

My pulse quickens. Todd’s usually reactive. He never learned to listen to his mind instead of his instincts. The fact that he thought enough ahead to anticipate my response is not a good sign. Something triggered this visit, and he’s had time to plan it. Nope. No way do I want to be locked in a room with this Todd. He’s already quicker than I am. Stronger too. A rational Todd will seal my fate. I won’t be able to get away if he tries to touch me. I have to escape him. One way or another.

I slip my fingers into the front pockets of my jeans in case they start to tremble and make my way to the desk near the window. The gun Rick left is stashed in the top drawer with a bullet in the chamber. He’d told me as long as I didn’t release the safety, I’d be fine. Todd, however, won’t be. I know how to shoot. Ilan taught me. A bullet between the eyes will kill even the strongest single shifter. If Todd tries to force himself on me, he’ll meet that fate.

Never again will I let Todd touch me. I won’t betray Rick. Or myself. I deserve to be treated with respect. I deserve love. Rick reminded me of that. I’m not a worthless vessel.

I matter.

Todd steps in my path before I can get to the desk. Grabbing my arms, he yanks my hands from my jeans and squeezes my wrists. His sharpened nails bite into my skin. Pain radiates through me. I swallow my gasp. While he’s never gone so far as to break a bone, he can. Easily.

“All I have to do is apply a little pressure. These fine bones of yours will shatter.”

Todd’s words reflect my thoughts. I drag my tongue across my lower lip and do my best to ignore the blood trickling down my hands. “What do you want?”

“Why have you been talking to Shifter Affairs?”

Shit! Todd knows about Rick. But how? Rick was so careful about sneaking in and out of this building. His scent isn’t lingering here either. At least it’s not in my apartment. I don’t know about the hallway. Dammit. I should’ve walked around spraying air freshener.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” It’s the best I can come up with. Anything else would be untrue. As anxious as I am, I don’t know if I can stay calm enough to ensure my scent doesn’t change. It’s possible to smell a lie.

“Don’t bother lying.” Todd jerks my arms, sending shooting pain through my shoulders. I clench my jaw harder. “I know you’ve been in touch with that human piece of meat pawning herself off as an agent.”

He’s talking about Ella. Her visit today wasn’t a secret one. Anyone watching my place would’ve seen her come and go, including my neighbor, who’s now working for Wyatt. Ugh, I’m glad I made Rick hide from her.

“Agent Montgomery was out here, yes. She wanted to talk about a case.” Todd doesn’t need to know it was mine. There is another one I’ve been meaning to ask him about. “Shifter Affairs is trying to solve Benjamin Tanner’s murder. Somebody shot him a few months ago. Did you know that? I didn’t.”

Todd shoves me. The arm of the couch breaks my fall. On a gasp, I tumble backward, landing on the soft cushions. Todd storms toward the bookcase. I hold my breath. All the pictures are gone, packed away in my suitcase. If he asks me why, I’ll have to lie. He’ll know I am too. My heart is pounding a mile a minute, and my body is trembling with a mix of worry and anger. I won’t be able to hide my lie. Then everything will spiral out of control.

I glance at the desk. I don’t know if I can get to it before Todd reaches me. With my hands pressing into the cushion under me and streaking blood on the fabric, I push to get up. Todd’s stare on me forces my attention to him. An icy blank look chills his eyes more than usual. Uncaring that I’m still bleeding on my couch, I freeze under his deathly glare. No way am I taking my gaze off Todd. In this moment, he reminds me of a killer.

“Yeah, I heard. Shot between the eyes and dumped like a piece of worthless trash on the edge of my pack’s lands.”

“Your pack lands are mine too. As your breeding mate—”

Todd’s hand around my throat stops my words. He doesn’t squeeze, but the pressure of his fingertips against my tender skin warns me of his tenacious control.

When will I ever learn to keep my mouth shut? Too late to change things now. I need to survive Todd’s visit. That’s it. Tomorrow, I’m leaving with my daughters. Hopefully, Rick will be going too. One way or another, I’m done living this life. It’s either freedom or death. I will no longer be abused.

After a long moment, Todd releases me and plants his hands on the cushion by my face. He leans close. Mint freshens his breath, but his scent churns my stomach anyway. I don’t want him this close. “Wyatt’s demanding I tell him if I managed to knock you up last month. I don’t want to say anything unless I know you’re carrying at least one boy. I won’t allow any more worthless daughters in this world.”

My wolf’s low snarl matches my feelings exactly. Peyton and Rey are not worthless. They’re important. Just like I am. Now’s not the time to fight that battle. Todd won’t change. Ever. The other part of Todd’s statement isn’t something I can overlook, however. “You won’t allow? What are you talking about? You don’t get to choose what sex a baby becomes. That’s up to the goddesses to decide.”

“And for me to accept.” Todd moves a hand to my stomach. “And I’ve decided I won’t allow another daughter to greet the moon.”

“You’d kill them?” My voice sounds defeated, but the rage building within me is something I’ve never encountered. It’s primal and raw. I could take Todd’s head, right here and now, and not bat an eye. The heck with jail time. If that’s the consequence for ensuring my children survive, then that’ll be the fate I embrace.

“Not me.” Todd chuckles. The amusement on his face is the kind I want to wipe off with my claws. “You would kill them when you miscarry.”

He’d beat me until I lost them. That’s what he’s implying. I don’t doubt his threat. I’ve felt the sting of his hand enough to know he doesn’t have a problem with causing me pain. Dammit. Why did I allow this to go on for so long? Why didn’t I fight him before this? Or run away?

Why was I so weak?

“But don’t worry.” Todd stands, giving me the space I need to maintain my tenuous control over my wolf. She wants blood. “Shifter females are super fertile after losing a baby. Chances are you’d conceive again during the next full moon cycle.”

Over my dead body. The conviction strengthens me. I push into a sitting position. “I can’t help you today, Todd. I don’t know the sex of the babies I’m carrying yet. Hopefully soon, though.”

“You’ll tell me immediately.”

“Absolutely.” Todd just won’t hear me announce it to the world, because I’ll be long gone.

Todd stares at me for a moment as if he’s judging the truth of my promise, then dips his chin. “Call my cell. Don’t come anywhere near the diner or my pack’s land.”

“Okay.”

Without saying another word, Todd leaves. A relived sigh escapes me. Despite Todd’s threats, his visit turned out better than I expected. Best of all, he didn’t notice the missing pictures. My secret plan is safe, which means I have packing to finish.

Once my breathing returns to normal, I stand and turn to the bedroom. The front door bangs open, smacking against the wall. Rick’s wide frame fills the opening, not Todd’s.

“Rick!” I run toward him and throw myself into his arms. I don’t care if I look desperate or crazy. I need his strong arms around me. I need his scent in my lungs. “I need you.”

Rick squeezes me tight. “I saw him leaving here. What did he do to you?”

“Did he see you?” Rick’s gun is close. I’ll use it if I have to. Todd won’t lay a hand on Rick. I don’t care that Rick is stronger than Todd and could end Todd’s life with a swipe of his little finger. Rick shouldn’t suffer an ounce of pain for my mistakes.

“No. I saw him walk out the building. I rushed right in here. You’re more important than hurting him.” Rick presses kisses to my face. My heart melts with each brush of his lips against my skin. “Answer me, baby, before I go mad. Did he hurt you?”

“He didn’t force himself on me.” I ease out of Rick’s fierce hug enough to look into his eyes. “I swear.”

Rick’s attention slides to my wrists. He cradles one and traces the ugly red mark. The cuts have stopped bleeding, but the blood remains as a reminder of what Todd did.

“But he did hurt you. Without me knowing it.” Rick raises his gaze to mine without lifting his head. The fierce set of determination on his face steals my breath. “Never again. I will know your every feeling, every emotion. If you’re afraid, I’ll annihilate the threats against you. If you’re sad, I’ll make you smile. If you’re lonely, I’ll surround you with love.”

“Oh, Rick.” Dang these pregnancy hormones. The tears in my eyes blur Rick’s rough and beautiful face.

Rick skims his thumb over my parted mouth. “Do you understand what I’m saying to you, Mya?”

Do I? “No. Not really.”

“Before the night is over, I’ll own not just your body, but also your soul.”

“But you can’t. Todd already claimed me.”

Rick reaches behind him and locks the door, then walks forward, urging me to match his steps backward, until we reach my bedroom door. He flings it open but doesn’t step into the room. Rick searches my face with his gaze. For what, I don’t know. I can’t look away, though. The primal allure Rick gives off captivates me. Everything about Rick captivates me. He’s beautiful, perfect…mine. I want to keep him, locking him to my side forever.

“If things had turned out differently, would you want to be mine? Would you allow me to claim you as our goddesses intended?”

“Yes.” I don’t hesitate in giving my answer. My connection to Rick has only grown stronger in the short time we’ve known each other. I feel the potential of what we can become, and what we could’ve been had Todd not tried to cheat me out of happiness.

Rick leans in and kisses me so tenderly my knees weaken and my heart flutters. I link my hands around his neck and let Rick’s passion wipe away the negativity Todd’s visit left me with. I don’t need to worry about it or Todd’s threat. In Rick’s arms, I’m safe, physically and emotionally.

Sooner than I like, Rick pulls back. With his lips brushing mine, he says, “Then let me claim my true mate the way I was meant to. Let me be your cornerstone, the one who bears your pain and shares in your joys. Say yes, Mya. Say you’ll give me your heart and soul to treasure until the day the goddesses call me home.”

Is Rick asking me to marry him? Commit to him? I’m not sure exactly, but I know my answer. Every fiber of my being is screaming it. “Yes. Make me yours.”

Rick swings me into his arms and steps into my bedroom. “And once I own you as completely as a male can claim a female, I’ll do anything to keep you safe.” Rick stares into my eyes, letting me see his determination—his vow. “Anything, Mya. No law set forth by humans or shifters will stop me.”

Nothing will stop me from doing the same for the man I love. Because I do love Rick. Maybe it’s too soon, according to human standards, but I don’t care. I know what I feel. I know what my heart is telling me.

Rick is my other half, and I’ll kill to protect the keeper of my soul.