Of all the things I expected to hear when I met my long-lost mother for the first time, "You're too late" was certainly not one of them.

I stopped dead in my tracks, glancing nervously at Cora, Roger, and Philippe. We were barely out of the transport boats, and my bare feet sank into the dense black sand of the beach. It slipped between my toes, and I absentmindedly wiggled them, enjoying the sensation while my brain struggled to catch up.

"We're too late?" I finally repeated. Our small group remained frozen at the water's edge, wondering if we might be sent back.

"You should have been here months ago," one of the priests announced grimly.

I recognized the man from my dreams, and my heart lurched. His face was so familiar, and yet I doubted I could pick him out of a lineup. He was at once unremarkable and unforgettable. Cora leaned into me, sensing my tension, if not my malfunctioning heart. "I didn't even know this place existed until last week!" I explained, my voice hoarse and wary. "I would have come sooner if I'd known."

The three figures exchanged dubious glances. Though my wolf remained focused on the priests, my other senses were consumed by my investigation of my mother. She smelled familiar, but when I reached out to her with my thoughts, I encountered a blank wall. She was shutting me out. My heart sank, and a new voice pulled my attention from Reina's beautiful face.

The second priest—also from my nightmares—grumbled, "Very well then, you'd better come in." We began to move forward, but Reina stopped us with a raised hand. "Just Ella," she ordered, her voice soft yet commanding. "The rest of you will have to return to your ship."

"We're not leaving her," Cora objected, her hand tightening around my arm as if fearing they might try to take me by force.

"You'll have to," the first priest responded dryly. "This is sacred land. Only those blessed by the Goddess are permitted to enter. You risk grave misfortune by setting foot in her temple without invitation."

"Then we'll risk it," Roger retorted, stepping forward with authority. "We stay with Ella." Reina arched a blonde eyebrow as she considered my mate's brother. After a moment, she conceded, "As you wish. But no more; the rest of your crew will have to stay aboard."

The trio turned and began marching toward the temple. I stared at their retreating forms in shock, struggling to comprehend this turn of events. They seemed both unsurprised and unimpressed by my arrival. I hadn't expected fanfare, or even a welcome banner, but I had assumed a warmer reception, especially from my mother.

She barely looked at me.

I felt a tug at my elbow and realized Cora was pulling me forward. I was still gaping, too stunned to move. "Come on, honey," Cora encouraged softly. "Let's get you off your feet."

Despite our chilly greeting, Queen Reina and the priests proved to be generous hosts. They ushered us into the temple and seated us before a blazing fire. Novice priestesses carried in dishes piled high with food, along with kettles of tea and coffee.

I found myself shrinking beside Cora, increasingly uncomfortable. No one spoke. Reina and the priests seemed content to wait until the servants had finished and we were alone. Unfortunately for them, I was not so patient. "Would someone please tell us what's going on?"

"You don't know?" Reina inquired, setting down her steaming teapot.

"Well, I thought I did!" I burst out, still gripping Cora's hand. "I came here to find you and learn about my past and my powers, but now I'm only confused. You seem to be expecting us, yet you tell us we're too late." I looked at Reina, trying to hide my hurt. "You're my mother, but you don't seem to care that I'm here!"

"That isn't true," Reina corrected gently. "We're all very happy you're here, Ella. We're just worried. There's not much time left."

"That may be true, but it isn't my fault," I countered, crossing my arms. "You left me helpless, defenseless, with no advantages in life. You didn't leave me a single hint about my true identity, so is it any surprise it took me so long to figure it out?"

"No," the first priest conceded, bowing his head. "It isn't."

"Will you at least tell me your names?" I asked, feeling bolder than a few minutes before. "I keep calling you 'one' and 'two' in my head, and it's confusing."

"I'm Silas," the second priest offered a semblance of a smile. "And this is Pollux."

"You two," I accused hoarsely, unsure where I was going with this. "You bound my wolf, you tormented me."

"We also saved your life," Pollux pointed out, his dark eyes flashing.

"Did it ever occur to you that I might not have been broken enough to need saving if you'd protected me?" I demanded, trying and failing to stand. My ungainly belly toppled me back into my chair.

"Just stay down, babe," Cora murmured in my ear. "You're more intimidating seated than standing at this point."

I glared at her, then extended a hand to Roger. He helped me to my feet, and I began to pace. "All this time I've been asking myself why I was being punished, why I was being tested." I turned to Reina. "I've waited thirty years to find out where I came from, and now I finally find you, and it's like…" I trailed off, pulling out my phone to play the recording of Sinclair's purrs. If this confused Reina and the priests, they gave no indication. They waited until my breathing evened out, and I summoned my remaining patience. "I just want answers. I just want to know who I am and what I'm supposed to do in this war. Where in the world do I belong?"

I didn't realize I was crying until Cora hugged me, making soft shushing sounds. "You belong with me, Ella. If nowhere else, you belong with me, Dominic, and Henry…"

"You belong right here among the Goddess's most honored servants," Reina interrupted, earning a vicious glare from Cora. "Surely you must realize you are no ordinary woman."

"But I am," I insisted, clutching my sister. "Do you think you can erase so much hurt with a few divine gifts? Do you believe that beauty or wealth can undo the crimes committed against me?"

"You are not ordinary, Ella," Reina repeated firmly. "Perhaps in matters of the heart, but certainly not when it comes to lineage and power."

"Well, what good does that do anyone if I'm too late?" I asked, trying to regain control. "Are we bound to fail now?" Tears streamed down my face as I contemplated this possibility for the first time. "Are… are you telling me I'm too late to help us win? To save the packs?"

The priests exchanged unreadable glances. "Not necessarily. We didn't mean to make it sound so final," Pollux explained. "None of us know what the future holds, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't worried."

"We're sorry for what you have suffered, Ella," Silas offered, sounding sincere despite his austere expression. "And we're sorry that this meeting isn't what you expected. There have clearly been misunderstandings, but the important part is that you're here. We just have to do our best and hope it's enough."

I shook my head, feeling adrift and longing for my mate so fiercely I could scream. I reached for him through our bond, though I knew he was too far away to feel me. My attempts were unsuccessful, but I felt his absence—a hole in my chest that couldn't be filled until his return. With Queen Reina, however, I felt nothing—not even an absence.

I turned to Reina, realization dawning. "We aren't bonded," I stated, crossing my arms. "Are we?"

"No," Reina confirmed gravely, a flash of pain in her eyes. "Ella, you have to understand that I only carried you… I was never your true mother."

"I don't understand," Tears burned my eyes. "If you're not my mother, then who is?"

"Sweetheart," Reina leaned forward, taking my hands. They were warm and soft, but I felt no greater energy, no connection beyond that of strangers. "Your mother—your only mother—is the Goddess."