chapter 46

The drive back is quiet but not awkward; just a comfortable silence. I believe me marking him suddenly made everything more real. Before, it was, in a sense, easy to play off that he’s my mate, easier to deny our bond—or our weak one anyway. Now though, people will find out. The entire city will realize Valen has been marked, the paparazzi will go berserk, and now I worry about what that means for Valarian. I can handle the dramas the media will portray, but Valarian is still a child. I know once it’s out, a lot of people will have something to say about it. Also, I can already imagine the rumors: that he knocked up some rogue whore and was forced to take me as his mate. The things I can see them saying about me in papers would sting me, but could damage my son. I’m used to negativity, but no child should have to deal with that. “I think we should move the date of the Alpha meeting,” I whisper. “You want to push it back?” Valen asks. I shake my head. “Move it forward. Once the media ge