Adelita was playing at his feet, giggling, smacking a rubber toy into the floor, blissfully unaware of the fire about to rain down.
Miss Nelly dropped the shopping bags mid-stride. They hit the floor with a heavy thump, baby clothes spilling out in pastel waves as she stormed toward him, her eyes flashing.
"Nelly…I know you are mad…" Kade started, lifting his hands in surrender, but he clearly underestimated her speed.
She was already on him.
Her hand cracked across his face so hard it echoed like a pistol shot through the living room.
May, still peeking from the kitchen doorway, let out an involuntary snort of laughter and clamped a hand over her mouth. But it was too late. Kade's head snapped in her direction, and he sent her a scathing look that only made her chuckle harder.
Honestly, he deserved that slap and more.
"You piece of shit!" Miss Nelly spat, standing over him, eyes gleaming with maternal betrayal.
Kade rubbed his jaw and tried to look dignified.
"If you would just let me explain—" he began.
But Miss Nelly was already charging again. "Oh, I know what you'll say and I don't want to hear it. There is always a crisis, always some damned emergency, or some Alpha war, or some rogue threat in the mountains. It never ends. But it doesn't give you a reason to abandon your sister for a year!"
He looked away.
Adelita threw the toy at his foot with a victorious squeal, entirely thrilled by the chaos.
May leaned against the doorframe, watching them all.
"I know. There is no excuse."
"You think a bank transfer monthly is enough to raise a child?" Nelly's voice rose. "She needs you. She needs her family. You do not let this child grow up to feel abandoned, I will not let you."
Adelita was growing fast, her face changing, her laugh deepening.
"I know. I'm sorry. Won't happen again."
Nelly's mouth was a tight line before she finally exhaled and stepped forward, arms spreading.
"Come here, you stupid boy!"
He stood, arms instinctively going around her as he tucked his face into her shoulder.
"You know I stayed away 'cause of her, right?" he whispered into her hair, referencing the woman who had taken over his thoughts.
"I know," Nelly said, pulling back to look up at him, eyes glinting. "Doesn't make you any less of an idiot."
He huffed a quiet laugh. He could never win, Kade thought.
"How is everyone? Ava? Lucas? Little Nolan?" Nelly asked, patting his cheek with a gentle slap, wiping away the remnants of the slap she'd delivered earlier.
"They're good," Kade said. "Asides from a clandestine rogue faction popping up now, we are good."
Nelly snorted. "Told you there will always be a crisis."
******
Kade was quite impressed with the party May and Nelly had thrown together. He hadn't expected much—a few neighbors, maybe a banner—but the backyard was transformed into a toddler's paradise.
There were lots of babies and toddlers around. Parents chatted and laughed while keeping one eye on their wildlings.
Mark's parents, who also lived next door, were present too.
And of course, Mark.
Kade tried not to stiffen when he saw him. The man was helping May string up the last of the balloons, a low laugh escaping him as she playfully smacked his hand when he probably said something funny. They looked easy together.
May's sundress danced around her bare knees in the breeze, and goddess, he had to look away.
But then she caught him watching.
Their eyes locked. For one long second, time halted. Her smile faltered and her throat bobbed as she swallowed. She looked away first, cheeks flushed.
Kade smirked. Still had that effect on her.
He looked again at the man who had his mate—the unworthy, clueless, entirely human man who had her—while he stood on the edges of her life.
Mark had no idea what May was to him.
The ache in his chest throbbed. His wolf prowled beneath his skin, restless and annoyed, wanting to snarl, to mark, to drag her away from this ridiculous party and remind her exactly who she belonged to.
But he didn't. He couldn't.
He hadn't said much to her since he arrived the previous day. He'd avoided looking at her for too long, avoided brushing too close, avoided the way her scent still made his lungs freeze.
What was there to say?
He still maintained his stance of not wanting complications. That was the line he told himself over and over every time his gaze lingered too long. He had responsibilities now, a pack to protect, a position that mattered. He was finally settling into his role as Beta to Alpha Lucas. He couldn't afford the drama of claiming a human mate. One who didn't even know she was mated to begin with. Or who didn't know about their existence.
They sang the birthday song next, the off-key chorus of friends and neighbors ringing out across the backyard. Nelly was glowing as she stood carrying Adelita, helping the little girl cut into the frosted cake with sprinkles. The music resumed—a cheerful pop song that was far too happy for how Kade felt.
There was a makeshift playground set up at the back of the yard, with slides and inflatable animals, and the adults were mingling, glasses of wine in their hands, small talk swirling.
Then he heard the clink, clink, clink of a spoon tapping against a glass.
He turned.
Mark cleared his throat and placed the glass on a table as everyone turned in his direction. The man straightened his shoulders and May looked confused.
"I…um…I have something to say." Mark began.
Then, turning to face her directly, with a look that made Kade's stomach turn, he added, "I have known May for about a year now, and I have never met any woman as great as her."
Kade's blood roared in his ears.
His fists clenched at his sides, and his jaw locked so tightly it ached. He tried to breathe, but the air felt too thick.