Elizabeth spent most of Ella and Sinclair's mating ceremony distracted. She wasn't unhappy for her friends; her attention was completely focused elsewhere. All her attention was on James, who sat at the back of Vanaran's delegation with Sadie nestled in his lap. His dark hair was combed back, his strong jaw freshly shaven. He filled his velvet-lined tuxedo so completely that Elizabeth worried the seams might burst. She could smell him distinctly: oak moss, amber, and sea salt—a scent that was uniquely James.

As the passionate couple exchanged vows, Elizabeth's gaze drifted between James and her adopted daughter, her unspoken emotions overflowing. She felt a torturous desire to be with them; her wolf whimpered like a puppy in her mind.

"It's not fair!" her frustrated wolf lashed out, unable to contain its fury as Sinclair's fangs grazed Ella's throat, eliciting a wail from Luna that made the Alpha growl with equal sympathy and desire. Jealousy surged through Elizabeth as she watched the couple fight their instincts, their passionate vows punctuated by wild energy and drunken expressions.

"I want James's brand," her wolf demanded for the hundredth time, annoyed by the intimate ceremony. "Why don't you let me have him!"

"It's too early," Elizabeth insisted, trying to reason with her wolf, battling the agonizing desire that assaulted her senses. A smaller, distant voice whined, "Why? How long? How long do you have to wait?"

"Are you okay?" Cora whispered, misinterpreting Elizabeth's pained expression. "Is this bringing back difficult memories?"

Elizabeth realized Cora assumed she was focusing on her own past mating ceremony and bond with her late husband. The she-wolf shook her head, refocusing on Ella and Sinclair. The contrast was shocking. Sinclair's companion had died over a year ago, and the recent death of his daughter was a fresh wound. Surely, she should be thinking about her true family—the one she'd lost, not the one she was building.

Her confusion, guilt, and jealousy threatened to overwhelm her. With a silent jolt, she pushed away the unwanted thoughts, managing to avoid looking at James and Sadie until the ceremony ended. As the crowds moved to the party, James approached with a wide grin, Sadie nestled securely in his arms.

"You're amazing," James's words warmed Elizabeth, combined with the endorphin rush of hugging his daughter, forcing a reluctant smile.

"You don't have to say that," she blushed, lowering her gaze.

"Oh, yes, I do," James replied fiercely, tilting her chin. "I don't believe in lies—especially not when the truth is so obvious. So if I say you look amazing, it's because you do."

Elizabeth nodded, trembling, grateful for Sadie as an excuse for her shyness. "My dear scapegoat," she thought, tickling the baby's belly.

"Our puppy is not a scapegoat," her she-wolf objected vehemently, wagging her tail. "She's an angel." The wolf ensured Sadie felt waves of love, shielding her from her mother's stress.

"You're right," Elizabeth said to the baby. "My angel dumpling." They laughed together as James watched, content to observe his favorite girls. He wasn't blind to his little wolf's turmoil, but knew it was best not to pressure her. He kissed her temple, savoring the feel of her against him. "Are you ready for the party?"

Elizabeth frowned, then, strengthened by his presence, replied, "As I'll always be."

A few hours later, Elizabeth's head swam from champagne, her heart heavy watching Ella and Sinclair's exuberant celebration. They deserved it, but Elizabeth hadn't been the best company. She disliked small talk and personal questions; her answers usually left people sad and uncomfortable.

However, as the night wore on, Elizabeth found herself laughing at a joke. She covered her mouth in surprise, a low purr sounding in her ear. "None of that now. I love hearing you laugh." Her eyes widened at James's indulgent expression. She realized he'd been subtly shielding her from awkward questions all night, so skillfully that no one noticed. Whenever someone approached a sensitive topic, her she-wolf tensed, and James expertly steered the conversation elsewhere.

A feeling of safety enveloped Elizabeth. The distant voice echoed, "How long will it be enough? How long do you have to be unhappy?"

Standing on tiptoe, Elizabeth kissed James. He held her close, her free hand reaching for Sadie. They held each other, lost in the moment, yet mindful of the little life in their care.

"Mmm, what are you thinking, little wolf?" James murmured, his fangs brushing her earlobe.

"I need to—I need to be alone with you," Elizabeth gasped, feeling vulnerable.

He considered her, noticing her repressed emotion and physical need. "Alright," he agreed, leading her from the hall. "The nursery?"

Elizabeth looked at Sadie, remembering leaving Sophie with a nanny, wondering if it would be more or less painful now. "To leave Sadie…" she swallowed, hiding her face. "Then let's go to your rooms."

James stopped. "Elizabeth?"

She turned, her expression wild. "Please?" she asked, her voice hoarse. "I've been denying my wolf for so long, and you've been so wonderful. I don't know why I keep pushing you away…" She shrugged helplessly. "I mean, I want to…we both want to…but I don't want to punish myself anymore. I think, like Ella says, moving on doesn't mean forgetting the past, it means freeing yourself from being its prisoner."

James nodded. "She's a smart wolf." He cradled Sadie's head in one hand, and grasped the back of Elizabeth's neck with the other. A devilish glint entered his eyes. "What exactly are you asking me, Elizabeth?"

"I've been seething with jealousy of Ella and Sinclair," Elizabeth admitted, embarrassed. "Despite their kindness, I'm angry they can have what I've lost. I feel horrible and guilty—it's a vicious cycle…then tonight, I realized the only person making me miserable…is me." Tears streamed down her face. "No one else is telling me I have to suffer. People have, but I wasn't ready to hear it. I needed to get to this place on my own. I don't want to be unhappy anymore, James. I don't want to be alone…and I couldn't admit it until you showed up. You've made it hard to keep lying to myself." She nervously bit her lip. "I'm in love with you, for more reasons than I can count. I want you to claim me, James."