Ava's POV
Jasper looked up at Victor, his eyes wide and pleading.
“Dad, please… talk to Mom…”
My wolf went very still. I didn’t have to look to know which Mom he meant.
Victor’s gaze flickered toward me for a brief second. Just a glance.
Then he turned back to Laura, and his expression softened in a way I had not seen directed at me in years.
“Laura, it’s okay,” he said gently. My wolf’s ears flattened.
“Just this once,” Victor continued. “He’s really attached to you right now.”
Jasper buried his face deeper against Laura.
“Separation’s hard,” Victor added quietly. “Let’s give him some time.”
The words settled into the room like cold fog.
Laura’s face softened immediately, her brows creasing with guilt as she turned to look at me.
Her scent carried the faint sweetness of false
