Selene POV
I arrived home, wondering if my meeting with Jaxon had been a waste. He hadn’t shunned me or kicked me out, but he’d left it open as to whether or not he’d help me.
And I wouldn’t blame him if he decided against it. What reason did he have to trust me?
I was already in a bad mood when I walked through the door, and the sight of Derek smiling at me from the kitchen table, flanked by Vera and Claudia, had my stomach churning.
“Ah, there’s my beautiful mate!” He rose and came toward me, angling for a kiss, but I turned away and stepped out of his outstretched arms. His expression darkened, his smile dropping just for a moment into a look of suspicion and irritation.
How could I not have seen it before? His contempt for me was obvious.
Then, just as quickly as it had gone, his
