LILLY
"I didn't abandon him! I chose a better life for him." Lilly scooted off the bed and started throwing on her clothes. "You werewolves! You think it's better for a mother and child to stay together, even when that's the worst option for the child. I was young and stupid and terrified. I didn't know how to take care of myself, much less the life growing inside me."
Fury made her hands shake. She was mad at herself for not telling Kade her only secret, and she was mad at him for being such a…a werewolf! "David has food, shelter, stability, and love. He has two wonderful parents and happy, safe life." She grabbed her clutch. "And I'm not fucking sorry!"
Lilly was startled at the depth of her fury, of her utter disappointment in Kade. She hadn't expected things to end so abruptly, and she certainly hadn't expected to feel this sudden bruising of her heart. She stomped across the room, letting her anger propel her away from the alpha.
"Lilly." Her name sounded like regret.
She paused at the door, and turned to look over her shoulder. Kade's gaze was filled with pain and longing. It was then she knew that he really wanted her, and he was undone by her secret, what it meant for them. And if, deep down, there was answering cry in her own soul, she pretended not to hear it.
Lilly left as quickly as she could. She kept the tears bottled. No use blubbering when she was the one walking away. When she entered the lobby, she found the concierge waiting for her.
"Your limousine is waiting, Ms. Addison."
She nodded, as though she had expected it to be so. Well, then. Kade had managed to give her a final kindness.
The limousine driver held the door open for her, and she told him her home address before she slipped into the back seat. She stared sightlessly out the window until she arrived home. The driver declined her tip, and she smiled at him even though her mouth hurt from the effort.
After she shut her own front door behind her, she slid to the floor and sobbed.
***|***|***
LILLY
The next day, Lilly threw herself into every activity imaginable. Business tasks she usually put off, she dove into with relish. She scheduled meetings with everyone, from the accountant to her manager. She even threw an impulsive after-hours party for the employees as a thank you for their hard work and loyalty.
When she awoke the next morning, she felt restless. She had nothing mind-numbing left to do, so she got into her Mercedes and drove to Hot Springs, Arkansas. She spent the evening in a lovely hotel. She ordered room service and tried to read one of the books she'd brought with her.
But not even the impromptu trip, or the shopping spree in the antique shops of Hot Springs, soothed her. Everywhere she went, she saw Kade. How many times had she mistaken someone else for him? Even the slightest resemblance made her heart pound outrageously.
She couldn't take pleasure in food, either, not even a fantastic ice cream sundae served on a waffle.
She packed up her car and started the drive home. About hour into the journey, listening to As Time Goes By on her favorite streaming radio station, Lilly was gobsmacked by epiphany.
She could love Kade.
Love him in the way she'd never been able to love Saul.
Already the seed of it was there, growing in her heart, wrapping around her doubts. It was inexplicable as hell. In the blink of an eye, in the beat of a heart, in one deep breath. In love. That's why she couldn't find any pleasure in her life. She wanted to be the alpha's mate.
She wanted Kade.
Even if the man was a wrong-headed fool.
But still. Still.
Was this love worth fighting for?
***|***|***
LILLY
Today was the day. Lilly knew the tribunal would decide Kade's marital fate, and she'd been wallowing in self-pity and doubt instead of taking a stand and fighting. She was ashamed of herself.
It didn't take but a single phone call to an old friend within the Moon Pack to find out where the tribunal was taking place.
The headquarters of Kade's tech company.
As she walked into the lobby, she saw John and Trent. What were they doing here?
"Lilly!"
The men hurried to her and embraced her tightly.
"You should've told us," said Trent. "Keeping secrets like this! Our Lilly! Tulsa's Humanitarian of the Year!"
"Don't give her a hard time," said John, swatting the arm of his husband. He had swimmer's build, tall and lanky, and the darkest brown eyes. "She couldn't breathe a word. They told us as much when we were invited to talk about your contributions to the community."
Trent wrapped his arm around his partner. "And your contribution to our family. You're the reason we're fathers, Lilly."
"You two were my gift," protested Lilly. "Our son has a wonderful, beautiful life because he has the best parents in the world."
It was an old conversation, one they had often—an exchange of love and gratitude. Finding Trent and John to adopt her baby had been a miracle. David had known since he was a toddler that Lilly had brought him into the world so that Trent and John could love and raise him as their own.
"Come over for dinner," said John. "David's been practicing the piano, and wants to play you Lady Gaga songs."
"I wouldn't miss it," said Lilly. "I love you both."
"Love you more, Silly Lilly." The men gave her more hugs and more smacking kisses. Then they held hands, chattering as they headed out of the lobby.
"Lilly."
Kade. She turned and faced the alpha. Right behind him stood three men, and she knew without question they were the tribunal members. The very ones who had judged whether or not she was worthy to be Kade's mate.
She was too late to make an impassioned plea. Too late to fight for her place in the Moon Pack. Too late to show Kade she wanted him. Damn, damn, damn. She pressed a hand to her stomach and wet her lips. An ache bloomed in her heart. "The decision has been made then?"
He could've made her wait. Maybe even punished her with a heavy silence or an inscrutable expression, but he did neither. He swept her into his arms and kissed her until her entire body felt aflame.
"Oh," she managed when he pulled back just enough to let her breathe. "Does that mean yes?"