Eric's mother's head snapped up. "What?" Claudia demanded.
"Your maid," Mrs. Thorne said, "let an impostor into Mr. Blackwood's bed."
The color drained from Claudia's elegant face.
"Where is she?" Eric asked.
"The maid has her tied down somewhere in the house."
"Benedict," Eric said, "find her and lock her in the room opposite mine. She doesn't leave until we confirm she isn't pregnant."
"Yes, Mr. Blackwood." The butler bowed slightly but before he could move, Claudia's hand brushed his sleeve.
"Be careful with her," she murmured.
Eric turned his head. Be careful with her?
"Be careful?" he repeated. "Did you think I was joking, Mother?"
"I need everyone to get out," Eric said. "Get out now."
Mrs. Thorne scoffed, lifting her chin and gathered her trembling niece. "We'll come see you and your father, sweetie," Claudia called after her.
"What are you doing, Mum? Cushioning the sting of not fucking your son's life up any further?"
"Eric," she said softly.
He turned, reluctant.
"Not now, Mother."
"No. Now." She stepped forward, her hand rising to his face.
"My sweet boy," she murmured, fingertips brushing his cheek as if he were still the child who once brought her flowers from the garden.
"Mum…" he exhaled.
"Baby, I know you have a good heart," she whispered, thumb stroking his jaw. "You want to end the Shadow Wolf's madness. I know that."
"But the longer we go without an Alpha," she continued, "the more we lose ourselves. The pack fractures. Baby, sweetie… please. I promise you, I'll find a way to break this curse."
"You've been saying that for years," he said. "You promised before Father lost himself too."
"I won't fail you like I did him," she whispered.
Eric studied her face. The faint lines around her eyes, the perfect composure cracked in small places, the grief she hid behind beauty and legacy. He saw a woman terrified of extinction.
"Mum…What way can you possibly find? Father didn't find it. His father's father didn't find it. What makes you think you can?"
Claudia's eyes shimmered. "I was informed of a High Priestess," she said softly, "one who can speak directly with the Moon Goddess—"
"God, Mum! Another phony? Another desperate woman in a white robe who'll take your money and whisper fake blessings?" He raked both hands through his dark hair, pacing again. "How much this time, hmm? How much money until you accept there's no miracle left for us?"
"I will not stop," she said, "until I find even the tiniest shred of hope for you. For all of us."
He stared at her—the silver flecks in her eyes, the way her lips trembled when she tried to hold herself together.
"Well, I'm done," he said finally. "No child of mine will be brought into this cursed world."
Her mouth parted, her hand reaching for him, but he was already gone—taking the stairs two at a time, leaving her standing alone.
*****
In another wing of the house, Seraphina blinked hard against the dizziness pressing at her skull.
Her heart pounded in disbelief.
"Why did you lie?" she hissed at the maid across from her. "I didn't tell you I was Miss Duvall. You assumed, remember? Why didn't you tell them that?"
"I'm sorry, truly," she whispered. "But you don't understand—Mrs. Thorne can ruin my life. I need this job."
"Ruin your life? You realize I was nearly killed because of you, right?"
"I'm sorry," the maid repeated.
"Please," she begged. "Just tell them the truth. My mum's probably losing her mind right now—please, just—"
"What were you even doing here, anyway?" she demanded, suspicion cutting through guilt.
"Alice! Where is the girl?" Benedict's voice boomed.
"Here, sir," Alice called out.
"Seraphina!" Benedict blurted, eyes widening in disbelief.
Relief crashed through her. "Oh, thank God! Someone who knows me. Please—please help me!"
"What the hell are you doing here?" His gaze darted to the maid, then to the door. "Oh my God, this is bad. This is very bad."
"Who are you?" she demanded, confusion thick in her voice.
He straightened. "I'm a friend of your mother," he said quickly. "Benedict."
"Please—you have to believe me. I don't know what's happening. She—" she threw a glare toward the maid "—she took me to Mr. Blackwood's room and locked me in. I didn't impersonate anyone, I swear."
Benedict turned to Alice. "You did what?"
"I–I didn't mean—"
"Enough."
Benedict exhaled as he knelt beside Seraphina. His fingers moved to the rope at her wrists.
"The only thing I can do for you now," he murmured, "is inform your mother."
Seraphina's breath came out shaky.
"Mr. Blackwood wants you here until we can confirm you aren't… pregnant."
"Pregnant?" she repeated, incredulous. "Are you serious right now?"
Benedict simply nodded toward Alice. "You'll get her the morning-after pill."
"Yes, sir," Alice stammered, eyes fixed on the floor.
"Hang on—one second. Pregnant?"
"Yes," Benedict said. "Mr. Blackwood wasn't in his right senses when… whatever happened, happened." His eyes flicked to her face. "Why in the goddess's name did your mother send you here?"
"She hurt herself. She can barely move around. We needed the money."
"She could have called me," he muttered.
"You're a werewolf," she said before she could stop herself.
"What makes you say that?"
"You said goddess," she replied. "Only werewolves pray to her."
"Smart girl." He reached out, brushing his thumb carefully near the small cut on her forehead.
Before she could speak again, another voice drifted through the doorway.
"Oh, you poor thing." Claudia entered. "Who did this to you?" she asked sweetly, her gaze slicing toward Alice. "Did you do this to her?"
"No, ma'am," Alice blurted. "It was Miss Duvall."
"I'm so sorry, dear." She approached Seraphina, fingers brushing a lock of hair from her face. "What's your name?"
"Seraphina," she managed.
"Ben, get the room ready," Mrs. Blackwood said, already turning to the butler. "And make sure it's properly heated. It looks like a storm is coming."