Chapter 93-2
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“I have only ever known an alpha,” Saul said conversationally. “In truth, I feel bereft over the loss of strength, power and control. It makes me wonder how Troy must feel to know how much we rely on him. I do not know if it will feel the same for you. You haven’t been bonded for nearly as long. And, of course, nothing can be done about the mate bond.”
“That’s not true. Troy darkened it when I was gone.”
“And how did that make you feel?”
“Abandoned,” I admitted. “Cold and alone.”
“It will not be easy to make your own way without your mate. Are you certain that’s the route you
want to take?”
What happened to it not being any of his business?
Still, his voice was gentle, and there was concern in his eyes. It truly felt like he cared. Maybe he did. “It will truly be the first decision that I make for myself,” I answered before I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. “And maybe even the first decision Troy gets to make. He was the one who brought it up.”
“And he hasn’t said that he’s wanted you to stay?”
“Would you?” I snorted. “Things haven’t exactly been easy since he killed my father and stuffed me away above a bar. Anyway, it’s not something that I need to talk out or anything.”
“Of course not,” Saul said with a trace of amusement. “You just wanted to know about the bond.”
We reached a clearing. “This is the place that London said we could shift in private. None of his wolves will bother us. You can shift,” Willa relayed.
I eyed her. “You’re not going to try to kill me, are you?”
“Not today, alpha mate.”
Her gaze met mine, and my stomach squeezed. “That’s what Morven’s pack called me. What they were compelled to call me.”
“But it wasn’t true with him. It is with Troy.”
“No one has ever acknowledged it.”
“What can I say? We’re all idiots. You included. Shift, woman. I’d like to stretch and run myself.”
Silently, we stripped. I glanced around uneasily, and Saul and Willa shifted first. I focused inward on
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<Chapter 93-2 my wolf.
Safe?
Claim
Were we safe? It has felt like since I agreed to rescue Irene, I haven’t been safe. How could I tell her that we were safe now? Troy still felt like he couldn’t leave me alone.
If I was his mate, I would never be anonymous. Someone would always see me and see a killer’s daughter. Hate me for it.
Saul came forward and pushed his nose into my hand before chuffing at me. I couldn’t see him without thinking of his sister. The woman I’d sacrificed. What had her wolf looked like?
Would she forgive me as easily as her brother had?
Closing my eyes, I let my wolf surge forward. As she came out, I momentarily considered burying myself deep inside her. Just hiding away and letting her take over and make all the decisions.
Safe.
Her confident and content voice startled me. How did she know that? A few months ago, she couldn’t even surface without fear. Now she was telling me that we were safe? What made her so
certain?
Willa and Saul bowed their noses to the ground, and I watched as the black wolf approached us. My wolf practically shivered with happiness.
Troy.
He always made her feel safe. No matter what. I should have known that he was close.
Two more wolves joined us. Finn and Amelia. They took off in a joyful jog, and Saul and Willa joined them. Troy’s wolf opened his mouth wide and gently bit my nose. I sneezed in his mouth, and he grunted and let his tongue roll out.
I could see the question. Was I okay?
Willa was right about one thing. The villains in my story were dead. I had the freedom to choose, and my wolf?
She was the happiest she’d ever been in our life. She hadn’t even hesitated to attack Morven, to fight for us and for Troy. Her confidence and peace surrounded me, and I sank deep inside her.
And for the first time ever, I let my wolf take control.
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