Chapter 205

Author's POV The Northstream Pack was in disarray. Ethan Sterling's life had become a living hell since losing his child. He behaved like a man possessed, his wolf spirit Leon howling in constant agony beneath his skin. When he was in better moods, he would hold Mona close, calling her "Victoria" repeatedly in a haunting litany. During darker moments, his hands would find her throat, squeezing as he hurled vicious insults at her—a poor substitute for the mate he couldn't have. The loss of the baby had turned Marcia Cross even more venomous toward Mona. During dinner that evening, her cutting remarks sliced through the tense atmosphere. "You couldn't even manage to keep one simple pregnancy," Marcia hissed, her wolf eyes briefly flashing gold with contempt. "What kind of female fails at the most basic duty?" Mona bit her lower lip, the picture of wounded innocence, continuously apologizing in a small voice. Her submissive posture was calculated—head slightly bowed, shoulders curved inwa