TEMPORARY MATES PERMANENT CRAVINGS novel Chapter 62

Sixty-Two

LIŞA POV

I sat beside my mom at the clinic, watching her stare at the faded landscape painting on the wall. The sadness she carried broke my heart.

“Susan Hartwell?” the nurse called.

I helped my mother to her feet and guided her toward the doctor’s office. Her grip on my arm tightened as we walked.

Dr. Reeves’s office felt cramped, filled with stacks of files and equipment that left little space to move. He greeted us with a polite smile and motioned for my mother to sit. The examination began immediately, with him shining, lights into her eyes and asking her to follow his fingers.

The process dragged on. My mother stayed still through all of it, as though she had already accepted whatever he would say.

“The progression is worsening,” the doctor said. “The right eye is worse than last month, and the left is holding steady for now.”

“How long until she can’t see at all?” I asked.

He hesitated before answering. “At this rate, about six months, possibly less if the condition accelerates.”

My heart skipped. “Is there anything we can do? Surgery or treatment?”

“There is a surgical option,” he said. “It is still considered experimental, but there have been successful cases. It could restore some of the vision your mother has already lost.”

“Then we should-”

“It is expensive,” he added. “The procedure is not available here, and you would need to travel to a specialized facility in Lycan territory. They have the necessary equipment.”

“Lisa,” my mother said softly, reaching for my hand. “You have already done enough. You have sacrificed more than I ever wanted for you. I will not let you give up everything for a surgery that might fail.”

“But if there is even a chance-”

“I have already made peace with what is happening. Losing my sight is not the worst thing that could happen to

me.”

Outside the clinic, she asked what happened last night.

“I don’t want to talk about it.”

“You will,” she said. “Your father called a meeting at the pack center, and I deserve to know why.”

I guided her toward the car, where one of the Lycan guards opened the door for us. She settled into the passenger

seat.

“Tell me,” she said.

“He set me up,” I said. “He sent word that the Elders wanted to meet with me. I thought they might help, maybe because of your condition. Instead, I walked into a room full of men who condemned me.”

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The memory came back clearly.

Six Elders sat around the. My father stood at the head, shooting me a look filled with disgust.

He wasted no time. “My daughter has been selling herself to a Lycan Alpha.”

“That’s not true,” I said, but they cut me off.

“Your father has raised concerns about your judgment,” Elder Duncan said. “He believes you are not in a state to make decisions of this magnitude”

“I entered a contract. I had full approval. No one has the authority to interfere.”

“You call that sound judgment?” my father said. “Spreading your legs for another woman’s mate?”

“I call it survival,” I said.

Elder Duncan leaned forward. “Your father wishes to reconcile with your mother. He is repentant now. Marriage requires forgiveness. You should help get your parents back together.”

“My mother makes her own decisions,” I said.

“Does she?” he asked. “She depends on money earned by your actions. That is not independence.”

Elder Duncan placed a document on the table. “Your father has filed a petition to review your mental competency. If you are deemed unfit, he can intervene in your contract.”

“You can’t do that. I will not terminate the contract,” I said.

The memory ended there, leaving a bitter taste behind.

“They are not empty threats,” my mother said. “Your father knows how to manipulate people.”

My phone rang. I checked the screen and answered. “Hello?”

“Lisa.”

Cameron’s voice sounded strained.

“How are things?”

Hearing him made my heart skip, and I had to steady myself before answering.

“I’m fine.”

“I’ve heard your father is causing problems.”

I glanced at the guards parked ahead of us. “The security you sent has helped. He cannot get close.”

“How much longer do you need?”

I hesitated. “Maybe two weeks.”

“Why?”

“My mother’s eyesight is getting worse.”

“Bring her to my pack,” he said.

“What?”

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Tity Two

“We have better facilities. She can receive proper treatment here.”

“That is beyond the contract.”

“I want to help.”

I closed my eyes briefly. “Thank you.”

“When can you come?”

“Three days. I need time to arrange things here.”

“Three days,” he said, and ended the call.

I lowered the phone, still processing what he had offered.

“He wants to help with the surgery,” I said.

My mother sat quietly before responding. “That is generous. But it might not work.”

“I know,” I replied, squeezing her hand. “But it is still a chance.”

When we arrived home, James sat on the porch steps with his backpack beside him. He looked up as we approached.

“Holiday break starts tomorrow,” he said. “Two weeks.”

“That works out well,” my mother said. “You can come with us to Silver Creek.”

“No.”

“James-”

“I am not going there,” he said. “I am not staying in the house of someone who is exploiting you.”

“He is helping Mom,” I said.

“Or he is making sure you stay under his control.”

“I am going,” my mother said. “Whether you come or not, I am going.”

James looked away. “Do whatever you want.”

He grabbed his bag and went inside, slamming the door behind him.

My mother let out a loud groan.

“He will come around,” I said. “Right now we focus on you. Everything else can wait.”

She looked at me, her eyes filling. “When did you become this strong?”

I thought about everything that had happened and how little choice I had been given.

“I had to,” I said.

She pulled me into a hug, holding on a little tighter than usual.

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