Chapter 148
I don’t move. I don’t think I breathe.
My body and mind detach in some way because I’m too much
in shock to process what Liam’s saying.
“I kil led dad,” he tells me, in as day.
“No. Nooo.”
“He was going to bargain with that ba stard you married for
your sake and his. Instead of standing strong and fighting. I
had it all figured out. I had a loan lined up to float us until the
military contract waspleted. Thepany was fine! If he’d just waited…. If he’d just trusted me…”
“Liam,” I swallow past the lump in my throat.
There’s roaring in the distance. The thunder of many men and
beasts.
“I’ll keep my promise, Leah. And make it quick.”
It’s the only warning I receive.
Liam lunges, maw wide and teeth sharpening. I fire off rounds. There are fifteen in this mag, and the
kick je rks up my
arm with each shot.
1
Liam ducks and ms into me. His teeth catch my throat, close to my shoulder, but high enough to
graze my neck.
He mauls me. Then steps back. He pulls the handkerchief from the pocket of his suit jacket and wipes
his face. My blood is sttered on his chin. A ssh of it stains his pristine shirt and suit jacket. “Just
breathe and rx. Don’t fight it.”
I close my eyes because I don’t want myst images on this
earth to be of him.
Aaron.
He’s in my heart and in my mind.
His strength and will keep me calm even as the panic boils up and my body grows cold. It’s a bit of a
surprise how quickly
that chill sets in.
I sink to my knees.
My hands are at my throat, instinctively trying to stop the bleeding. But my hands are wet, and slipping
beneath the
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blood.
I’m so sad. And scared.
My body shakes with shock and with the knowledge that I’m
dying. Every detail around mees into crystalline detail as the world slows to each breath. The hard
marble beneath my legs. The scent of woodsmoke from the firece. My brother’s glowing eyes as he
watches me suffer. I close my eyes again.
I think of Aaron. My head on his chest. His arms around me.
Instead of feeling the pulse of my blood as I bleed out, I imagine it’s the pulse of his heart beneath my
head.
I think of summer nights and zy mornings. Dancing in his
arms and every time he fought for me.
I’m going to miss him. So much.
There’s a vicious roar. Then another.
Something scorching hot hits my neck and my eyes fly open.
James!?
He’s got a poker from the firece against my throat, cauterizing the wound. It burns so badly and the
stench of burning skin and hair has me gagging.
He looks like hel l.
My neck is still burning when he ps his hand over it. A breath hisses from his lips. “Stay with me!”
But my eyes flicker. When I open them again. I smile.
Oh.
There he is.
Aaron came. I don’t know how he knew toe and I’m sure it’s some simple detail like my phone or
James, or calling his security team, but my thoughts wonder and trickle like water in a steam. I hope I
will get to hold him onest time. To feel his big, strong arms around me.
1 never told him he’d be a father.
Tears leak from my eyes. I’ve wronged him.
I’ve failed Aaron-and my baby.
I reach for James but he’s yelling and screaming.
Aaron is grappling with Liam.
They shouldn’t fight. Aaron will kil l him.
I’m not sorry about that. Just sad really.
Everything tonight feels so …unnecessary.
The actions rooted in ha te and fear and greed.
“C-call Adam,” I plead with James.
I’m cold, really cold and I wrap my arms around my stomach wanting to keep my child warm. Safe.
Things I should’ve done instead ofing here tonight.
It was the wrong choice as an Alpha.
As a mother.
As a wife.
I’ve let down everyone who relied on me. I ha te myself for it.
And the peace that I sacrificed my life for all those years ago? It will d ie along with me and my pack
will descend into in-fighting, if Aaron doesn’t ki ll them all for this offense.
“We’re losing her!” James yells.
It’s okay. “Adam can save… baby.”
James’ eyes re. “Alpha!”