Page 121 of Seen Knot Heard

Our father’s attention snaps to Quinn, his expression softening for a moment before it hardens again. “You don’t know what you want. You’re just a child.”

I can’t hold back the growl that rumbles in my chest, my Alpha rising to the surface. “She knows exactly what she wants. And I won’t let you take her away from the only stable home she’s ever known.”

Our father’s jaw clenches, his grip on the legal documents tightening until his knuckles turn white. “That’s not what our lawyers will say. They’ll dig into your so-called bondmates and find every skeleton in their closets that shows them as unfit to?—”

“Stop. Please, just stop.” Sadie’s broken plea breaks through his tirade. “He’s right, Dad. I… I can’t be the mother Quinn needs. I can’t even take care of myself.”

She crumples inward, her frail frame shaking as tears stream down her hollow cheeks.

Our father stands motionless, his mouth agape as he struggles to process Sadie’s admission. The legal documents in his hand tremble as his eyes flicker between Sadie and Quinn, uncertainty clouding his features.

Quinn’s soft sniffles fill the air, her small body pressed to my leg. The scent of her fear tinged with the sweetness of baby powder fills my nostrils, and fierce protectiveness sweeps through me. I rest a gentle hand on her head, my fingers threading through her silky brown locks.

Our father’s shoulders slump, the fight draining from his posture, and he takes a step back, the legal documents now hanging at his side. “I… I need some time to think.”

Without another word, he turns on his heel and strides away, vanishing through the doorway.

Quinn hiccups softly, her tears soaking through my pant leg.

I kneel, gathering her into my arms, my heart swelling with love. “It’s okay, princess, I’ve got you.” My lips brush her temple. “I’ll always be here for you.”

Stepping forward, I rest my hand on Sadie’s shoulder. “Keep working on getting better, okay? We’ll visit again.”

She doesn’t lift her head, doesn’t react, and after a moment, I step back.

Quinn sniffles and wipes at her cheeks. “Get better, Mommy.”

We linger a minute longer, but when Sadie still keeps her head down, I finally turn on my heel and leave.

When I step outside, I half expect my father to be waiting to ambush me, but the parking lot is empty, and I sigh with relief. I didn’t want to go to jail today, and that’s the only way he was going to snatch Quinn from my arms.

I bounce my niece, trying to brighten her mood. “What kind of pizza do you think we should bring back home?”

“Cheese,” she mumbles, then straightens. “Uncle Blake?”

“Yes, princess?” We reach the SUV, and I open the back door for her, Sprinkles rises to his feet and starts wagging his tail.

She climbs up and hugs the dog around the neck. “Can we stop for ice cream?”

“You want to go to Swoop and Swirl?” At her nod, I pretend to consider it. “I don’t know. Uncle Holden requested cookie dough… What should we do?”

Her expression brightens for the first time today. “Get both?”

“Sure.” I ruffle her hair. “But don’t tell the others. It will have to be our secret.”

She mimes zipping her lips.

I reach for the door. “Buckle up.”

As she does so, I close the door, shutting her inside, and hurry around to climb behind the steering wheel. Holden will forgive the minor delay if it means Quinn’s happiness returns.

And then we’ll pick him up and head back to our pack.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chloe

With Louie’s deadline nearing and no solution in sight, I slip out of my room with my laptop tucked under my arm. I hurry down the hallway toward the door at the back, the feet of my frog onesie swishing over the hardwood floor.

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