Chapter 3

Mason goes still, as if he can't believe he just said it.

Vivian's eyes fill immediately.

"You still want her. You want her and those pups, don't you?"

She presses a hand to her chest.

"After you left me, I scrubbed toilets to survive. I worked outside in the freezing cold. Later, the doctors told me I'd never have children."

"Is that why? Because I can't give you pups?"

Mason turns to catch her arm.

"Don't say that. You know it doesn't matter to me."

"Then why won't you let her leave?"

Tears spill down Vivian's face.

"Look at those beautiful pups. I could've had that, too, if things had been different."

Her voice breaks.

"Just let me go, Mason. I should never have come back."

He looks stricken.

Then he turns to me, his expression hardening.

"Get out."

I hold the twins tighter and walk into the cold without looking back.

Ronan's guesthouse stands at the far edge of the Blackwood grounds. It's in worse shape than I expected.

It takes me a while to clear a place where we can sleep. The twins keep nudging my hands, hungry.

"Mommy's going to get you something to eat."

At the convenience store, I find I can't afford even one proper meal for the three of us.

I ask the owner if I can pay for the rest later.

The man behind the counter looks me up and down.

"There are other ways to pay. Be nice to me, and I'll make sure you and your pups don't go hungry."

He reaches for me.

I step aside, yank the pendant from my neck, and press its point against his throat.

"Touch me, and I'll make sure you never touch anyone again."

He stops smiling.

Then he backs off, muttering under his breath.

I pay for the little milk and bread I can afford and hurry back.

After feeding the twins, I knot the pendant's broken cord around my neck and curl up in the corner of the bed.

I've barely closed my eyes when the door flies open.

Mason storms in, reeking of alcohol.

He crosses the room and slams me against the cold wall.

"That desperate already, Ella?"

"You've barely left my bed, and you're out looking for another male?"

"I wasn't—"

"Vivian saw you. Are you calling her a liar?"

His breath burns against my neck.

"If you need it that badly, you could've asked."

He forces his mouth against mine.

I twist away, fighting him, dragging my nails down his neck hard enough to draw blood.

The noise wakes the twins.

They blink at us from the bed, still sleepy. Then they hear me crying.

Both scramble down and sink their teeth into Mason's pants, pulling with all their strength.

"Get off!"

He grabs my son by the throat and pins him to the mattress.

"Let go, you little bastard!"

My baby's legs kick wildly. His eyes start to lose focus.

"No!"

I tear the pendant from my neck and drive its point toward Mason's back.

He twists aside and throws up a hand. The sharp fang cuts across it.

Blood drips onto my son's white fur.

Mason freezes.

He looks down at the tiny body trapped beneath his hand, and the anger drains from his face.

The room falls silent.

Finally, he lets go.

"Keep them under control."

He turns and walks out into the cold.

I slip the pendant into my pocket, gather both pups against me, and sit on the bed, watching the door.

My son is breathing, but I can't stop checking.

Every sound makes me flinch. Every gust through the broken seal around the door makes me hold them tighter.

I stay awake all night.

By dawn, I can't keep my eyes open anymore.

They close for a second.

Then the door crashes inward.