Page 52 of Bound

And the truth was, even a year later, I couldn’t decide what sickened me the most about that day. That our uncle could so callously issue an order, knowing its consequences on River. That River had gone through with it anyway. That Brody, Ethan and I had stood motionless while he did it, only Hayden fighting like a wildcat while Ethan restrained her, not caring what the Tracers did to her. Or maybe that we lived in a world where some were so eager to see every last shapeshifter and vampire put to death that such measures were necessary, that even someone as pure of heart as Ellie Crowe, veterinary student and rescuer of orphan bunnies, couldn’t be trusted to protect our secret.

“And you’re okay with that?” River said quietly, because that was River. He didn’t yell and scream. He got so angry all the stars went black. “Throwing away all your memories with a guy who has genuine feelings for you? Maybe even damaging the connection between your wolves permanently?”

“I already have to live every day knowing I took his choice away. How do you think that makes me feel?”

“How would this be any different? The first time was an accident. This would be a choice.”

“Maybe it’s the only way to make things right.”

River was silent for a long moment. “Glad the decision is so uncomplicated for you.”

I blinked against a sudden tightening in my chest. “Riv—”

“Don’t.”

And… wow, I wanted to kick my own ass. I hadn’t talked to River in a year. Then I’d asked him to mind-wipe me, something that would not only have lasting repercussions for him, but would splinter our entire family, whether I gave consent for him to do it or not.

Which seemed to be our theme song today.

River tilted his head. He knew what was turning my stomach into a pit of acid, had undoubtedly known for weeks. I ground the words out anyway. “If I tell Topher that we have to get mated, how am I not forcing his hand just like before?”

River shrugged. “Maybe you would be. But…” he paused. “What I do has taught me this much.” He glanced out at the quiet street, and his expression darkened. “Nothing real can be built off a lie.”

Story of my life, I thought.

River nodded.

“Be very careful,” he said at last. “Attachments are dangerous for people like you and me. If it ever got out what you can do…”

Yeah, we definitely weren’t talking about me and Topher any longer.

“How is Ellie?”

His pale silver eyes grew hard. “Better off the farther she stays away from me.”

* * *

“Is it weird that I’m taking pictures of the food?” Passing off her plate to her husband, Hayden snapped a shot of the cheeseburger tower.

“I mean, for you?” Lacey shot a finger gun at her.

Hayden smirked. “Just wait until I have a niece to spoil.”

“One more week now, right?” I slathered my hot dog with ketchup, shredded cheese and onions. “Start of September?”

Lacey rubbed her stomach and glanced over at her mom. Worry lines had formed on Juliet Blair’s forehead. Simon squeezed her hand.

“Werewolf pregnancies tend to go a few weeks longer than human ones on average. We’re right on schedule.” Lacey smiled up at Dallas, who leaned over the couch to kiss the tip of her nose. “And we like our doctor down in Austin.”

“You’ll be in good hands,” Simon said. “And of course you know I’ll be around if you need me.”

“And since Mom is planning to stand guard out in the hospital corridor, we’ll have a party.” Dallas swiped at a strand of ash-blond hair that had fallen free from his man-bun.

“That sounds like Mom,” I said dryly. “Didn’t she send that picture of the onesie the other day with the skull on it?”

“C’mon,” Topher said. “That was cute.”

“Thank you.” Hayden added one of Lacey’s crazy Death by Dark Chocolate cupcakes to his plate, then took one for herself. The decadent fudge cupcakes were frosted with a dark chocolate espresso buttercream and garnished with Oreos.