After I swallowed my pride and made up with Nicholas Alder, I found a box of condoms in the glove compartment of his car. I put it back without asking a single question. Nicholas watched me for a long moment, then opened the box himself. "All six are still here. We were out at home, so I grabbed some on the way." I nodded, leaned back in a seat that had been adjusted for someone else, and closed my eyes. He pulled over and took my hand. "Let's go pick out some gifts. I'll go back to White Creek with you for New Year's and visit Mom." I turned my face away, tears sliding down over my reflection in the window. Mom was already dead. My Alpha still didn't know.