Chapter 78

Sloane’s mind was entirely focused on Jeremy’s clown magic, leaving the father and son pair unnoticed across the room. She knelt beside him, guiding his small hands as he fumbled with a balloon. “See? Just retract your hand slightly, it makes it look like the balloon appeared out of nowhere,” she explained, her voice calm and encouraging. Jeremy’s eyes sparkled like tiny stars, and his chubby hands clapped so eagerly they nearly turned pink. “Auntie, how are you so amazing?” he exclaimed. Sloane chuckled softly, a tinge of embarrassment warming her cheeks. She had only learned the trick in a flurry of last-minute practice, watching videos online and hoping she wouldn’t fail in front of him. The boy’s admiration made her heart swell, part pride, part guilt for pretending to know more than she actually did. Then Jeremy leaned against her, his small brow furrowed. “Auntie… why didn’t my uncle come?” Sloane paused, picturing Alpha Volkov in a clown costume, a thought so absurdly incongruen