Malachi's POV:

Do you know how an alcoholic quit drinking years ago but relapsed with just one tempting bottle of his favorite booze?

That’s how I felt when Lili called me a month ago. She had no one in the city and she’s picking off where she left off---that means she’s starting with me.

Right now, she wanted me to be with her as we close the deal to her new home. I had no idea she was getting a place in New York and I honestly didn’t know how to feel about it, either. I have Dani and she’s pregnant with my child. Yes, we aren’t married but Dani is my mate. She was the woman who stood by me when I was trying to recover from Lili’s heartbreak, yet here I am—having brunch with the woman who almost ruined my entire life.

I'm not sure what that makes me, but at this point, who cares? I'm with Lili. Things ended between us years ago, but that doesn't mean I am over her.

“Sorry, Mal.” Lili bitterly smiled.

“For what?”

“For this…with your business and Dani’s pregnancy, I had to drag you here and help me.” She sounded so helpless and I wouldn't say I like that for her. “I swear, this will be the last time.”

The last time? I can’t let that happen. Since her return, I feel so alive. As absurd as it may seem, Lili still has a special spot in my heart. One that Dani had never had the chance to fill because it was never meant to be occupied by any other person but Lili.

With her, my smile is automatic. “What? You’re not a bother. Don’t say that. Besides, you said so yourself. You have nobody else in the city but me.”

Lili’s long lashes fluttered and her eyes glistened with tears. Her eyes were always prettier than Dani’s. Comparing the woman who stood by me all these years to the woman who left me in shambles is not a good thing to do, but I cannot help it. Right now, all I know is…I'm going to make sure Lili and her son will have a comfortable life here in New York. God, how I wish the baby in Dani’s belly was a boy. It would be nice to have a male firstborn to continue the Pruitt legacy.

“Thank you, Mal.” Lili reached for my hand. “This is really appreciated. Are you sure Dani won’t mind?”

I shook my head a little, “No. Lili, let’s put it this way…what Dani doesn’t know won’t hurt her. No matter how harmless this meeting may be, she will never understand.”

She frowned, “is this why we are hiding in the corner?”

“Yes,” I have to admit to her our situation. “Please don’t think that I am ashamed to be seen with you.”

Lili smiled again. “Oh, no. You’ve been very helpful.”

The realtor arrived and our private conversation was cut short. I put a good word for her and pulled some strings to help her get approved. After that, Lili asked me if I could help her get her stuff from the hotel and get her son from daycare. To which, I agreed impulsively. To me, it felt so good. I felt like I was the head of the family, doing all the responsibilities that I was expected to do. Her son, Theo adores me too.

I cancelled all my appointments that day too and went home with a heavy heart. Dammit, I’m not supposed to be invested this way in Lili’s life but I am and that’s a problem waiting to happen. While I was on the drive back to the place Dani and I shared, I evaluated myself, and whether I admit it or not---I was happy with Lili. So happy.

My wristwatch tells me it’s past midnight. Dani should be asleep. I used my key and thought that it was best to sleep in the guest room tonight. I made my way inside the dark living room.

Click. The lights were on.

“I know where you’ve been, Mal. Don't try to deny it. She’s back. Why are you seeing Lili?” Her voice quivered a little but her eyes were murderous.

Caught, I willed myself to smile and hug her. “Where did you get that idea? I haven’t seen Lili for ages now. S-she's here? I had no idea. Come on, I am exhausted and you…you should get some sleep. It’s not good for my baby.”

Dani’s POV:

I was prepared he’d deny it. But the level of effort it took him to make me believe in his words surprised me. He didn't even bother to ask where I got the information. He neither denied or confirmed it and it only added to my frustration. Malachi honestly thought that I am dumb and even if I am tied to being an efficient homemaker---I won't be able to come across the idea of tracking his location using his phone’s GPS.

Actually, it was Zoey’s idea. When I started complaining about my mate’s behavior, it was her best suggestion. My respect for Malachi’s privacy was great, so, I refused and back then, I had no reason to do that. When the emails started to arrive regularly, I decided to track Mal. And last night, out of curiosity and rage, I channeled my inner Sherlock Holmes. My intestines felt like they were all being braided all at once when I realized that all the locations where the photos were taken matched Mal’s whereabouts the past month.

The emotional burden I was feeling inside threatened to explode if I don’t find an outlet to let it all out. Zoey told me to drop by the hospital before her next shift starts the following morning.

There, in the nurse’s lounge---I poured all my heart’s content. “I don’t get it, Z! Why would he deny it? I mean…I would understand if he’d admit it to me…”

“Whoa, you would?”

“Yes, that’s Lili. I can’t compete with her. She’s Lili for God’s sake!” The tears started rolling again and I doubt if they’ll ever stop. Even to my ears, I sounded so defeated. “She’s Lili…you know what she means to him…”

“This is why I told you that you should have asked Malachi to marry you first!” Z’s anger was evident. “Legally, you have no rights to him, Dani. In the wolf culture and tradition, you’re fine. But with society in general…in paper…Malachi is single. What’s keeping you together is that child.”

At the mere mention of my child, I regained composure. There was no way that I am bringing this baby into this world with a problematic set of parents. My child deserves a happy family. And I am giving it to him or her come hell or high water.

“And that witch, surely Lili knows Malachi is with you now. Your relationship is out in the open. She doesn’t live under the rock to not know. Dani, that woman is deliberately doing this.” Z added.

Crying my eyes out was a great help. Zoey is like my personal therapist. My best friend’s words reverberated in my head all day long. She was right. If Malachi won’t admit to it, then maybe, Lili will. If she had the decency, she’d never bother us with her presence again. After all, she’s the reason why our relationship is on the rocks now. It’s only right that she fix it.

I tried to act like everything was okay. Several days have passed by and Malachi kept the late hours at work. The photos kept on coming and I tracked him. I even stalked Lili on her social media and saw that she’d post photos with little thank you notes for that ‘special someone’. I suspect she meant my mate. I let it slide, hoping that he’d have the initiative to cut whatever that was going on between them.

Only to see them playing family in a restaurant inside the mall. I begged Malachi to come with me to pick up some stuff for the nursery but he said he’d be pre-occupied that afternoon and now I know why.

My ears felt hot and my fists balled as I stomped to where they were. Lili saw me but averted her gaze and continued serving food to Mal. My mate only saw me when I was standing in front of them. His face turned white and his eyes widened like saucers. The boy seated conveniently on his lap stared at me curiously.

“D-dani? W-what are you doing here?” Mal stammered.

“Who is he daddy Mal?” I almost choked. The boy called my mate his daddy!

Though I was heavily insulted, my smile did not disappoint me. “Well, look at you…you make a cute family, Mal. I thought you hadn’t heard from Lili? Of course, you didn’t because you were seeing her and busy playing house.” Each word was spat with venom.

“Excuse me,” Lili interfered. “Theo, let’s go.”

“Oh, you stay here, Lili.” I sarcastically said. “I'll go. I am so sorry for interrupting your family's day out. Have fun.”

I left before my emotions betrayed me.

Malachi was calling my name but I couldn't bear to look at him now. My baby started to kick inside me...perhaps it felt what I was feeling. "I am so sorry...I am so sorry, baby..."

"Dani, wait! Talk to me!" Malachi caught up with me. He blocked my way.

"Yeah, of course. We need to talk."