was probably healthy. I got these foolish butterflies in my stomach when they smiled at me. I was too old for this, wasn't I? Did all of this fall into my plans to be an independent woman? In truth, it didn't matter. I was slowly but surely falling for them. Each one was different, but they were all amazing, and I could no longer imagine living without them.
I'd only been separated from my husband for six months - minus a couple of weeks. After being married for eighteen years, this all felt like it was moving faster than it should, but I knew better. That was just my insecurity speaking. I'd been separated for half a year! So what if I met them right after? Did it really matter that I still had to settle my divorce? Not really, because six months was plenty of time to get to know someone. At least that was what I'd tell anyone else.
Although, my divorce was why I headed over to Henry's house after work on Thursday. Once again, Gabby was going to be in drama rehearsal until seven, so I had Ashley walk with me, and promised to head to her place right after for wine and venting. As soon as Henry answered the door, Ashley made an excuse, leaving me with him, and Henry invited me in.
"I have the papers all drawn up," he said as he led me through his home and toward a room that was clearly an office. "I was going to file your case tomorrow so that we can get you a court date right at the end of your legal separation." Then he gestured to a seat. "You ready to go through all of this, or did you need a drink to brace?"
"No, I'm ready," I assured him. "And thank you for everything."
Henry clasped my shoulder. "You're family, Elena. Regardless of your situation with my son, you're still family, and I intend to help you take care of that little girl."
"Thanks," I mumbled. "Speaking of her, is there any way to have someone besides Gerardo take custody of her if anything happens to me?"
Henry moved to his plush leather chair and sank into it with a deep sigh. "Sadly, no. Not unless he gives up parental rights. Because he's missed almost all of his custody visits, you can ask for more child support or less visitation for him. None of that changes him being her closest relative after you, though. Even if he agreed to have someone else listed as her emergency guardian, while she's a minor, her father would still be given custody above all others."
"So what do we do?" I asked. "Henry, have you heard about Karen?"
He pushed a hand across his mouth. "Yes. Unfortunately, I do know all about that. I told Ian to clean up his messes before he got involved with you, but he was so sure he'd found the woman of his dreams that he couldn't wait."
"Because of Lane," I clarified.
Henry just leaned back with a little smile. "My dear, that boy didn't chase you because of Lane. The fated mate bond was a good excuse, sure, but Ian was chasing you before you met Lane. The moment you walked into his yard, as a matter of fact. Lane's situation just allowed him to salvage his pride after he was so opposed to having a human around."
"Really?"
Henry nodded. "I promise that Ian doesn't do anything unless he wants to, and the day before, he was completely opposed to having you in the community. There's only one thing I can think of that would've changed his mind." He tipped his head toward me. "He met you."
"That morning," I admitted. "But none of that helps me with Karen, and if she bites me..."
"I can see your concern," he said, "but it's being handled. Patrick Green was one of my betas. When I retired, so did he. Karen is his daughter from before he took the position, and he has since married her mother."
"What?" I asked.
Henry chuckled. "Believe it or not, we were once young and foolish wolves too, Elena. Patrick got his girlfriend, Denise, pregnant. Karen was the result. She was still pregnant when Steven, my former beta, was shot by a hunter and killed. Patrick has been a friend of mine since we were kids, so I asked him to fill the vacancy."
"And he left his family for that?" I asked.
"Becoming a beta for the Pack Alpha is a huge honor.