I didn’t stand firmly enough, and the door swung open under my weight.
Marcus’s eyes flashed with panic.
“Sarah, what are you doing here?”
“Don’t overthink it,” he rushed to explain. “Rachel is the guard of our pack’s orphan den, protecting all the pups. She just happened to be here today to discuss Oliver’s adoption…”
Rachel stood, holding Oliver close as she gave me a casual wave.
“Sarah, it’s been a while.”
From my position by the door, I forced a smile, swallowing my pain as my burns throbbed.
“It’s fine. I was just looking around. Since you’re busy, I won’t disturb you. I’ll wait in the car.”
I turned to leave, my legs still unsteady from the silver coursing through my veins.
Marcus thought I was upset and followed me, explanations tumbling from his lips.
“Please don’t misunderstand. She’s here all the time as the den’s guardian. All the pups call her mother – it’s just a title. Once the adoption is complete, I’ll explain everything to Oliver.”
Watching him fret over my supposed jealousy, I felt an hysterical urge to laugh.
All this elaborate planning, just to bring his secret pup into the pack legally.
He hadn’t hesitated to orchestrate the fire that scarred me.
Hadn’t flinched when ordering the silver injection that killed my wolf.
And now he had everything he wanted, yet still played the concerned mate.
“Don’t worry,” I said softly. “I’m not unreasonable. Go handle the paperwork. I’ll wait quietly in the car like a good Omega should.”
Relief flooded his face as he watched me walk away.
Every pack member I passed looked at me with barely concealed contempt.
Their whispers followed me:
“Poor thing doesn’t even realize…”
