Chapter 7

Kelsey's POV After dinner, we returned to the penthouse suite. Moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and my nape prickled as if kissed by a pup's tiny teeth. I'd planned to chat with Catherine but fell asleep soon after lying down. The recurring nightmares of the past three days vanished that night. The next morning, I woke to my alarm. Once, as Marcus's mate and Luna of the Bladeclaw Pack, I'd risen at seven daily to cook his breakfast—for three years. Now, I turned off the alarm. No more pleasing that Alpha. But soon, my phone rang. The screen flashed a name I couldn't forget—Marcus. In three years of marriage, he'd never called me. I'd have been thrilled once, but now, I didn't want to answer. When the call finally ended, I lay awake. It was the first time I'd refused Marcus, and my emotions were tangled. My wolf whined in my mind, and I soothed it. Another call came—our Pack's omega. "Luna Kelsey, do you know where Alpha Marcus's favorite blue tie is?" I almost didn't reply but pitied the omega. "In the second drawer, left side. And I'm not your Luna anymore." Marcus's cold voice cut in. "Kelsey, get back here and find the tie. I don't want other women in my bedroom!" I snorted. "Alpha Marcus, we're divorced. Ask Angela." "These things were your job. Angela can't find them!" I laughed bitterly. Angela, the future Bladeclaw Luna, was too precious for such tasks. But I wasn't part of the Pack anymore. "Find another tie, then." I hung up, my heart racing. I'd never hung up on Marcus before. It felt… good. After washing up, I found Catherine still asleep and slipped out to a 24-hour diner on the street. The counter, lit by neon, smelled of blueberry muffins and bacon eggs. "Large Americano and an oatmeal bowl, please." I reached for my credit card but saw the "Cash Only" sign. Holding a Statue of Liberty coffee cup, I noticed a missed call from Marcus. I swirled the caramel foam and posted a photo of my breakfast with #NewBeginnings on Instagram. Grandma Moira liked it instantly, but three weird accounts with wolf silhouettes appeared in the comments. She called immediately. "Kelsey, join me for dinner tonight. I miss you." I knew I'd have to tell her about the divorce eventually. "Sure." On my way back, my coffee cup nearly spilled—my third time dropping things. I blamed it on post-divorce distraction. Back at the hotel, Digby was up, and the table was laden with assorted breakfasts—American, Italian, French. My plastic yogurt container paled in comparison. "I couldn't sleep, so I grabbed breakfast. It's expensive here, so I thought I'd get some for you all too." "These are complimentary. I know people here." I placed my bread on the table and went to wake Catherine. Marcus's POV On the phone, the omega asked timidly, "Alpha Marcus, shall I get another tie?" I turned to the closet and found the tie in the second drawer. Strange—I'd searched there earlier. Last night, the men I sent to track Kelsey's helicopter lost her. I had no idea where she was, and the feeling of losing control irritated me. I dressed and went to the dining room. After one bite of breakfast, I scowled and pushed the cutlery aside. "Disgusting!" Darcy looked nervous. "Angela said this was your favorite." "I hate it." I glanced at Kelsey's empty seat. I used to find her presence annoying, but now… I missed it. Damn! In the car to the office, I got a text, "Mr. Marshman, did you and your wife check into a hotel?" The photo showed Kelsey in a hotel. So she'd been taken to some hotel room last night? Fury rose in me. I looked up and told Darcy, "Stop her medical payments." Darcy asked, startled, "Trying to force Kelsey back?" "Do as I say." Kelsey, have I been too soft on you!