“Thank the Goddess I went to the healer that afternoon.”
Jason looked at her.
“Because that was when I learned I was already carrying a pup.”
Her voice trembled.
“The healer told me I was pregnant.”
Jason stared at her stomach.
“And suddenly, everything changed.”
Julia’s eyes glistened.
“I realized that if I stayed until you carried out what you planned…”
She stopped for a moment. Ryker squeezed her hand. Julia took another breath.
“…I could lose my pup.”
Jason’s face twisted.
“I wouldn’t have done it if I knew.”
Julia looked directly at him.
“But I didn’t know that.”
Jason fell silent.
“I only knew what you told me.”
Her voice grew stronger.
“You had chosen Willow.”
She lifted one finger.
“You told me only her pups would be recognized.”
Another finger.
“You told me y
