Chapter: 20

Lucian raised a brow. "I'd say you've built quite a life for yourself and your son, even in light of your family's antagonism and recent divorce."

"I—" It was slightly unsettling how much this stranger knew about me.

"The point is, Sera," he said, "I find you inspiring, and I know many others would, too. OTS is more than a relief organization. We also offer the... tools every wolf needs. We can train you, make you strong in your own right, so you never have to rely on someone else to save you. I glanced down at the card in my hands—then back at Lucian.

He smiled kindly. "You don't have to decide right now. Take some time to think about it."

I nodded slowly. That, I could do. "Thank you," I said softly. "You already said that."

I laughed softly. "Yeah, but..." No one had ever asked me to belong to something. Even my pack and family, with whom belonging should have been automatic, hadn't wanted me. But here was Lucian, who'd sought me out, who wanted me to be a part of something. It sounded almost too good to be true.

"Well," Lucian said, pushing himself to his feet, "I should get going." I stood, too, and walked him back to the door.

"I hope you say yes," he said as he opened the door. "I think this will be really good for you."

I smiled hesitantly. "I'll consider it." He shot me one last smile before leaving.

Sighing, I leaned against the door, staring at the contact card in my hands. "Out of the Shadows,” I whispered. What would that be like, I wondered. If the organization was filled with wolfless wolves like me, I'd be among my kind, so to speak. Could it be possible? Could I find a community that—

A brusque knock on the door startled me. Smiling, I opened it. "Did you forget some—"

Kieran glowered down at me, and it was like a bubble burst over my head, showering me with reality. So much for thinking his visiting me was ridiculous.

"What are you doing here?"

Kieran turned, and I followed his gaze to see a dark red Aston Martin pull out of my driveway. He must have encountered Lucian outside.

"What was he doing here this early?" Kieran hissed, turning back to me.

A strange emotion zinged through me, one I'd never felt with Kieran before—irritation.

"How is that any of your business?"

He stepped inside and walked past me into the living room, his head darting around. "Hey," I called after him. "You can't just—"

"Did he sleep here?" I blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Did he sleep here?" Kieran repeated, like my question was one of confusion and not of indignation.

I scoffed. "Do you need a dictionary?" I asked. "What?"

"Because you Clearly need to be reminded of the meaning of ‘divorced.’ Nothing concerning me is your business anymore, Kieran."

He hadn't cared about anything pertaining to me over the decade we were married. How dare he attempt to show an interest now?

His dark eyes flashed. "I may not be your husband anymore," he snarled, "but I will always be the father of your son, and you can't be bringing strange men into my son's home when—"