Chapter 196


    After Aaron’s announcement, everything bes a blur. There’s a swell of astonished voices, but I’m


    so shocked, hurt


    and embarrassed, I don’t even think.


    I turn and rush out of the hall, unmindful that it was rude


    to walk away from the sitting Council without first being


    dismissed.


    I just keep walking until I’m outside and the night air finally


    starts clearing my senses.


    Then the tears start falling.


    How could he?


    After everything.


    “Your mate is bing unstable, you know.”


    Karolina’s voice startles me and I whirl to face her, even as I quickly wipe the tears away.


    She must have followed me straight out here, leaving behind the chaos in the meeting hall.


    part wants me to scream who cares, Aaron doesn’t want me


    anyway!


    “Keep any Alpha away from his mate long enough and he


    starts to unravel. But your mate? With the power of three Alphas coursing through that hot blood? He


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    needs a stable mating bond more than anyone.”


    “You saw what happened in there. Are you trying to say whatever’s going on with Aaron is my fault?”


    Karolina crosses her arms and regards me thoughtfully. “No,


    not in the least. I admire you, Leah, for putting up with him for this long, especially after all he’s done to


    you.”


    I wonder how much she knows-everything, or just snippets of


    gossip that have done the rounds through the various packs.


    “You’re powerful, Leah, you have potential,” Karolina continues when I don’t respond right away.


    “Potential?” I repeat, not understanding what she’s talking


    about now.


    “Haven’t you ever given any thought to your future, beyond


    being Aaron’s Luna?” The way Karolina asks isn’t mean, but it


    makes me feel abashed nheless.


    And it’s kind of funny, her asking that. Six months ago-time spent in aa that makes it feel like those


    events happenedst week-I thought I was going to die.


    Of course I haven’t thought about my future.


    “No matter,” Karolina assures me. “You’re young yet. But you


    can be more than Aaron lets you be. You could even be in my shoes one day, leading our species into


    a bright new future.”


    “You mean have a seat on the Council?” I ask, stunned,


    because the idea has never even crossed my mind.


    Karolina nods sagely. “You could have it all. But it requires


    sacrifice. Though, sometimes, something that seems like a sacrifice is actually cutting away the dead


    weight.”


    I don’t like how Karolina talks in riddles.


    “What are you trying to say, Karolina?” I dare to boldly ask.


    “Mating bonds can be broken,” Karolina responds, and a wave of shock goes through my system.


    Despite being at odds with


    Aaron, the idea of breaking our mating bond is abhorrent, especially to my wolf.


    “It’s rare, and it’s not without risk,” Karolina continues, either


    not noticing or not caring about my shock. “But the way Aaron’s going right now, he’s going to turn


    rogue, there’s no


    doubt about it. Do you really want to stand by and watch that happen? If any part of you still cares for


    Aaron, then maybe breaking the mating bond and setting him free is the best thing you can do for him.”