Chapter 25


    I shift in the center of the cabin, let my wolf brush by Leah, and then I head into the valley at a full-out


    run.


    I’m not sure even the miles I roam tonight will be enough. I may have to hunt.


    My wolf is nearly feral-he’s angry and vtile. A tangle of rage and passion. If I stayed in my human


    form, I would’ve done something dumb.


    Like killing Leah’s father.


    Or taking out some of my anger on her, for what she’d done.


    But most of my anger-the real depth of my rage- is aimed only at myself.


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    I forced us into this situation.


    I called Leah’s bluff and left her with no recourse other than to


    sell herself.


    And while I wanted my wife’s loyalty, no, I demanded it, there


    is no real bond or loyalty at all, if it is coerced.


    I hate that we havee to this.


    And I don’t see any way to fix it.


    Maybe I should’ve let her go and just let the chips fall where they will.


    Her father’s pack is vast and powerful, but in thest decade, my Alpha powers have surpassed his.


    Where we have thrived


    and prepared, Leah’s old pack has grownx. Instead of using the peace to build, they’ve partied and


    squandered.


    They’ve weakened their financial holdings-something I’ve taken advantage of.


    Where once Robert had been a fierce opponent, he’d begun


    to spiral in the wake of his Luna’s death. Sometimes, I think


    that’s why he was so quick to get rid of Leah, so he wouldn’t


    have to see the disappointment in her eyes. Because Roberts didn’t just drown his sorrows or party to


    forget, his grief pushed him out of control.


    All these yearster, he’s a fraction of what he once was.


    I’ve no doubt I could best Alpha Roberts one-on-one.


    I should’ve challenged him and been done with it.


    Instead of retreating here, with Leah, to let my temper cool, so I don’t explode.


    Even now, my men are rying one of my messages to Leah’s


    father. If he wants to survive, if he wants to ensure that he


    has a pack toe back to, then he’ll shut his mouth, take his punishment like an Alpha, and leave


    Leah the fuck alone.


    My wolf snarls viciously, pushing me to a corner of my mind,


    where my thoughts are relegated to more immediate things.


    The scent trail of a doe. Tracks from a rabbit, a squirrel.


    The sounds of the river trickling over smooth stones.


    The presence of Leah, waiting in that one-room cabin. Alone.


    I know what my wolf wants.


    He’s wanted it from the first moment I brought the girl home.


    But I won’t give into my baser urges.


    I won’t bind her to me. Well, not in the true ways of our


    species.


    So I run.


    4/5 Hard and fast, up the side of the mountain until my mouth. hangs open, my muscles ache, and air


    is burning cold in my


    lungs.


    It’s several hours before I return.


    I haven’t gone far. I kept close enough that I could hear if the engine started or if she tried to leave. Not


    that I think she


    would. She keeps her word.


    Mostly.


    Except when she’s evading my men and sneaking off


    pds.


    Or when she’s conspiring with her father and handing him


    over all her money.


    And just why exactly would she do that?


    Why would she give him everything?


    My wolf grumbles and swings its huge body back in the


    direction of the camp.


    If I start asking questions, I’ll have to be prepared to answer


    some too.


    But that won’t work.


    Because I can never tell Leah why I won’t mate her.


    The secrets I carry would ruin us both.