Scarlett POV
My phone buzzed on the desk, and Christina’s name lit up the screen. I stared at it for a beat, my wolf stirring uneasily under my skin, hackles half-raised even though she wasn’t here. The invitation was casual: come over, grab some food, and chat like old times. She said I’d always be her kid, even if I weren’t Jaxen’s wife anymore. Sweet words. But they landed like a half-hearted pat on the head.
I didn’t even think about it.
“Christina, I’m sorry. Things are crazy busy right now. I’ll swing by when I can.”
The last time I’d gone crawling to her for help, back when Jaxen had me backed into a corner, fighting for air, she’d looked at me with genuine pity in her eyes at first. Then her son called, and boom. Mama bear switched sides in a heartbeat. I get it. Blood calls l
