Chapter 164


    A and I ran through most of the details regarding our situation with the Waar Pak.


    Maggie took in all the information intently. She asked questions. She expressed her own concerns. All


    in all, I was still confident that she was the best choice.


    But I also wasn’t taking any chances.


    “There’s one more thing I have to ask of you, Maggie,” I said gravely. “I don’t think I need to tell you


    how important my mate’s safety is to me. I ept that some risks are unavoidable, but I won’t take any


    that I don’t have to.”


    “Of course, Alpha,” Maggie agreed.


    “I also want you to know that this isn’t a decision I make lightly,” I insisted. “But there is a way for A


    tomand you that would prevent you from being questioned. By anyone.”


    “Theo, no,” A whispered.


    I looked back at her, squeezing her leg.


    “You can do this, babe,” I told her. “I’ll be right here to help you.” I turned back to Maggie. “It’s stronger


    than an Alpha’smand. I can’t even break it unless A allows me to.”


    “But I’ve never done it before,” A told her adamantly. “I’m not even sure I can do it, and we think


    there can be… risks if I do it wrong.”


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    “What kind of risks?” Maggie asked.


    “We’re not sure,” I admitted. “But we strongly believe hermanding you directly is much safer than


    the alternative.”


    “There’s an alternative?”


    “There is a ritual,” I confirmed. “From what we know, it isn’t pleasant. But that’s why we’re not


    proposing that. I want A tomand you. But it has to be your choice, Maggie. I will notmand


    loyalty from my members. Neither will A. This will act as a safeguard for the loyalty you already have


    to us.”


    “You can think about it, Maggie,” A interjected. “You don’t have to decide now.


    Maggie shrugged. “There’s not much to think about. You have my loyalty, so that’s no question. And if


    this helps you both, then let’s do it.”


    I could feel A’s relief and anxietying through our connection. I repositioned on the couch to face


    her.


    “We’ve got to try it, babe,” I said gently. “This is something you need to learn to control regardless. And


    I need assurance that you are safe.”


    This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    She chewed on her lip for a second. “Okay,” she conceded.


    I cupped her cheek and kissed her. “Thank you. You still have themand Randy gave you, right?”


    She nodded, standing up to go and grab the paper he gave her. When she came back, I had her sit in


    front of me between my legs and had Maggie sit on the coffee table before her. Contact wasn’t usually


    necessary for amand, only a pack connection, but I believed it would help in this situation.


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    “Okay, babe,” I said next to her ear, my hands resting on her thighs. “Take Maggie’s hand. Remember


    to concentrate on the intention you want to achieve. Search for her consciousness. After your Luna


    ceremony, you’ll be able to feel her tether, tying her to you and me as her pack leaders. Once you find


    her, say the words. But you have to mean them. You have to have the intention behind them.”


    A nodded her understanding. She took a few deep breaths. I could feel the energy build in her. It


    was the second time since we had marked each other. This time, I was able to appreciate how powerful


    it


    was.


    “You. Maggie Walton, will not reveal the secrets of the Dominis bloodline to their enemies. You will not


    give any information that will lead those who wish to harm the Domins bloodline to me. You will…” A


    paused, her resolve faltering.


    “I


    “You have to finish it, A,” I encouraged.


    “You will protect the knowledge of the Dominis bloodline with your life.”


    I wasn’t expecting thosest words, but I supposed I should have. A‘ s energy dissipated and she


    released Maggie’s hand. I looked at the woman in front of us. She smiled at A reassuringly.


    “That wasn’t so bad,” Maggie teased.


    “Did it feel stronger than a regrmand?” I asked.


    Her brow furrowed. “I’m not sure. But I wasn’t going to fight it, and I -don’t have any intention of


    betraying you.”


    I nodded. “That’s not surprising, I guess. You would need to be asked ormanded a question about


    A.”


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    “You can test it out,” Maggie said.


    “Won’t work for me,” I said.


    “He connected to me,” A said. “I trust him with my life. He’s not an enemy.


    “Gotcha.”


    “I’ll see what I can do to test it,” I said. “For now, we’ll just have to hope that it worked. But I think that’s


    enough for tonight. Thank you, Maggie.”


    We all stood and walked Maggie to the door.


    “I’ll let you know what our next move will be soon,” I told her. “In the meantime, get situated in your new


    apartment. And if you have any more questions, you are wee to reach out to either of us.”


    We said our goodbyes and I locked the door behind her when she left. I could sense something was off


    with A. When I turned back, she was sitting on the couch with her hands in herp. I knelt before


    her.


    “I didn’t like that,” she said. “I don’t want tomand someone to die for me. I’m not doing that again,


    Theo.”


    I sighed. “I get it, babe,” I said. “I do. If I’m being honest, it’s suspicious that thesemands exist in a


    ritual. A good Alpha would nevermand loyalty from his pack like that. So, I know that didn’t feel


    right. But we gave her the choice, A. I promise you didn’tmand her to do anything she wouldn’t


    already do. You just made it so no one could force her to go against those desires.”


    “I know,” she replied. “But I still don’t like it.”


    I raised up to meet her level, kissing her lips firmly.


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    “I would be concerned if you did.”


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