Chapter 97

Evelyn

I walked away from Dane’s room as the phone rang. Then there was a click, as if someone picked up. I heard my mother’s voice say, “Evie!” as if in a panic. Then there was a loud crash in my ear. Then the line went dead.

“Mom!”

No answer. Either she had smashed her own phone… or someone had taken it from her and broken it.

In denial, I pulled my phone from my ear and tried to call again. A robotic voice said, “The customer you have dialed is out of service. Please hang up and try again.”

I tried again, but the same thing happened. Again, same thing.

I made a sound of frustration, jammed my phone into my pocket, and let a harsh breath out through my teeth.

This had gone so far out of my control.

When I wanted my mother to do something to handle Aurora, I hadn’t meant for her to go anywhere near Dane’s children. I wasn’t sure where she was, but I knew she had them, and I knew her intentions weren’t good.

I should tell Dane.

I had to tell him. Every second I didn’t was a betrayal of him and of Blue Ridge. Not even Archer knew who my mom really was, or that she’d been in the Blue Ridge pack house since she’d arrived with Aurora and the twins.

But if I told him that their nanny, Mrs. Jamison, was actually my mother, Dane would have questions. Too many questions I couldn’t answer, because the answers would make him hate me for the rest of my life.

Even if I didn’t tell him everything, he might be able to put pieces together. Like the fact that my mother had also been Ann Reed’s—Aurora’s—nanny.

Like the fact that she knew about the kidnapping.

And the fact that she knew exactly where all of Aurora’s birth marks were.

I put a hand over the crescent on the inside of my forearm.

The tattoo artist had been good. It never faded. It looked natural.

I expected it to be a problem for Aurora and me to have the same mark, but apparently she had lost hers at some point. Whether in a beating from her parents or an accident, I wasn’t sure. But the first time I’d met her, my eyes had jumped right to the place her own crescent mark should be, and there was nothing there but a sear.

As far as I could tell, she didn’t even remember she’d had it.

And that was perfect.

It meant no one knew she was the little girl who had been held by the Reeds with Dane when he was a child. No one except me, my mother, and the Reeds.

I still didn’t know why, and I didn’t care. I had been more than happy to take my place at his side as “the girl who saved his life.”

But now, even that wasn’t enough.

I’d already lost so much of him. If he found out about all my lies, he’d kill me.

I wouldn’t even blame him. If I was him and someone did to me what I’d done, I would say they deserved it.

But I never meant for anyone to get hurt. I only wanted to keep my own position. My own power.

Now there were children in danger.

I stalked into my room, then into the bathroom. Tears were burning the backs of my eyes, and I needed to make sure my makeup hadn’t smeared.

I stared at the woman I saw there. An actress. Famous. Loved. One of the few wolves who managed to live a public life and still keep our secrets. I was important.

But I wouldn’t be any of that, have any of that, if not for Dane Montague. His money and his connections had gotten me started.

His money and his connections could take everything I had earned after all these years away again.

I met my blue eyes in the mirror. I looked tired and haggard. That wouldn’t do. Evelyn Barclay should never look like this.

I pinched my cheeks and forced my brightest smile onto my face.

I was a good actress, but even I could tell it was entirely face.

I had been so close to having everything. Now it was slipping out of my fingers like smoke.

Damn it. Goddess damn it.

I pulled out my phone again, but just held it. I could get out of here, then text Dane everything. I could go to my Aunt Fiona’s pack, Hundred Lakes. Connall Montague, Dane’s grandfather, had always hated the old Hundred Lakes Alpha. It was one reason he never wanted Dane and I to be together.

My thumb slipped and accidently opened my camera roll.

The picture of Aurora leaving Holden’s room in her half-buttoned clothes and Holden undressed was right there.

Maybe everything wasn’t lost.

Maybe there was a way to break up Dane and Aurora still, and I wouldn’t even have to do it. Someone else would do my dirty work for me, just like I preferred.

The Fall Line Alpha wanted Aurora as a mate so badly?

I’d give him what he needed to take her.

I opened my text messages and sent the photo to Holden Coleridge.

I could figure out the problem with my mother and the twins later.