Page 135 of Married to the Devil

The confident look on McConnell’s face fades, and I continue, my own satisfaction rising.

“That I don’t love her.” The word scrapes against the insides of my chest. Too honest for my liking. “She is my mate and the mother of my child.”

Silence reigns. I’ve melted the shifter’s brain.

Eventually he realizes what I’ve said does not match up with what he expected.

“You would claim someone else’s child?” he sputters.

Moon ducks his head to hide his smile.

“The child is mine,” I growl with meaning. “My heir and the product of my clan.”

That Ben hasn’t made any official moves required to be considered in a clan is of little consequence.

I resisted the idea of creating a clan at the beginning, but it’s the best way to have everything we want. Allowing my tainted memories to steal that from us is a mistake.

The Bramblewicks have a healthy clan. There’s no reason why Stella, Ben, and I couldn’t be a solid grouping. As long as they forgive me.

“But—” McConnell starts, but my patience for this game is at an end, and I cut him off.

“So I do take your offer as the greatest insult. I advise that you leave here.” I snap my teeth. “With haste.”

“You can’t speak to me in such a way,” McConnell says. “Moon!”

Councilor Moon straightens and stands. “Territory leaders and the Council exist in a symbiotic relationship. Stoneheart has the right to take issue with what you’ve offered.”

The wolf shifter snarls at me. “You’ll regret siding against me.”

“And you’ll regret continuing to pursue or support any plans that target my wife,” I say.

“Are you threatening me?” the wolf shifter says as if he didn’t just issue his own threat.

My smile is sharp. “A promise. You would do to have greater care when it comes to me. I have more allies than just Kalos, and the other territory leaders wouldn’t enjoy hearing just what you’re willing to stoop to for your vendetta.”

McConnell snarls but marches from the room.

“Congratulations on your heir,” Moon says before he follows his fellow councilor.

“You just keep making friends left and right,” Silas says.

I sigh, tired now that the risk to mine has left. I close my eyes and massage the bridge of my nose. “It’s a gift.”

“Perhaps you should go speak to this wife you’ve just thrown down the gauntlet for. While I start the paperwork for your currently nonexistent clan.”

“She was here?” I straighten.

“Left in a hurry too.” Silas pauses a moment. “I think she’s sick.”

That’s all it takes for me to move. I may have given her the space she demanded, but that doesn’t apply to if she’s ill.

44

STELLA

I restmy head on the toilet seat, wanting the awful feeling in my stomach to stop, but appreciating that the vomiting has subsided. I need to stand and wash my mouth out, but I don’t want to risk moving.

It’s much easier to just stay down for the count and try to process what I just overheard.

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