Chapter 19


    The first few minutes consist of a wee address and a


    summary of recentws that have been passed and put into


    effect.


    After that,es the new agenda.


    The Regional Collective requires dues paid for the tech protocols and contributions to help obtain files


    from the military-which keep packs updated on technologies and emerging tech that can be a threat to


    our way of life.


    Thene more announcements, h, h, h.


    I nce nervously at Aaron.


    There are a lot of wolves present tonight. Nearly twice as many as thest Council meeting. Asking for


    a divorce…it’s going to embarrass him.


    “You can do it,” I whisper. “You can say that you want to leave


    me.”


    I don’t think the who or why really matters, not now. “I just


    want to be free.”


    2/4


    His eyes narrow. He sps my hand and threads our fingers together. “No.”


    His palm is warm and his grip is firm.


    It’s like a lifeline, tethering me.


    I look at our joined hands. “This is all I ever wanted, you know.”


    His hand tightens around mine.


    “I wanted you to see me. To care about me.”


    I sit here, waiting for the words. For him to give me a sign,


    something, anything so I have a reason to stay.


    “Leah, I-”


    “Alpha Roberts. Rise and approach the main floor.”


    Hearing my father’s name called by the Council Leader captures my attention. It breaks the moment


    between us and I lean forward for a better view of the proceedings.


    The main Council members range in age and ethnicity and gender. They are among the most studied


    and influential beings within our world.


    The Elder, Karolina, speaks first. “Evidence has been obtained


    from our financial institutions that monies, in the total amount


    of seven and a half million dors, have been siphoned from a Regional Council ount to yours. How


    do you plead?”


    My father sputters. He nces around nervously.


    That amount. It’s the exact amount that I switched from my


    savings to my dad’s.


    Oh god.


    No.


    I turn to Aaron. “You didn’t!?!”


    “Additionally,” Karolina says. “We have it on reliable authority


    that the district attorney is preparing to levy charges against you for securities fraud. You recently


    offloaded ten-thousand


    shares of stocks, resulting in charges of insider trading. How do you plead to this?”


    My stomach rises into my throat. “Aaron. No!”


    He stares at me, perfectly calm, while all around us, wolves gossip and whisper and my father is


    sputtering.


    “You bastard!” I shrink away from him. “How could you do


    this!?”


    Bad Love: An Alpha’s Regret


    “I don’t know what the Council is referring to, ma’am,” my


    father insists. “The money in my ount came from my daughter. The stock advice was hers too.”


    Karolina arches a brow. “So you are incriminating yourself and your daughter in these crimes?”


    Her reddish brown hair is drawn back in a bun and her


    features look severe. She stares down her nose at my father.


    And I know she doesn’t like what she sees.


    This particr Council member is all about discretion and avoiding human notice. And this mess will be


    very, very public.


    Material ? of N?velDrama.Org.


    “My wife had nothing to do with the actions taken on behalf


    of Pack Roberts,” Aaron says loudly. He stands and stares hard at my dad. “I cannot imagine that


    Alpha Roberts would


    suggest otherwise.”


    “I didn’t do it!” my father screams.


    His tone does nothing to exonerate me.