Bad Love an Alpha’s Regret by Elise Sinclair

Chapter 21

LEAH

Wolves don’t beg.

They don’t grovel or back down,

A pack’s value comes from its strength.

I tilt my chin up.

I may be on my knees, but it doesn’t make me weak.

My will is strong. So is my willingness to fix this mess I’ve made.

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If Aaron won’t be reasonable then I will rely on the mercy of this Council.

“Ma’am Karolina, are we not all wolves?” I say.

Her lips purse. It’s a not so subtle reminder that everyone here is a wolf-except me.

“Our numbers are low,” I press on. “Our strength is tied to our

unity as a species. There must be justice, yes, but also mercy

and understanding so that every member of every pack might thrive. So that we can prosper as a species.”

She inclines her head encouraging me to continue.

in making this sacrifice, I can give my life greater purpose and meaning. I’m dying. I can’t have children. I

betterment of our collective packs-1, Leah

Council member Karolina tells me.

myself as tribute in place

my dead body!” Aaron

AARON

Leah gasps.

the hell are you doing?” I ask

at the Council. “Alpha Aaron is

shield me. But I stand by my vow. Please accept me as tribute in my

husband can attest, I

accounting.”

there it is.

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wisely. Acknowledging I’m her husband and

aside whatever stupid ideas of divorce

dark and possessive washes over

her

her choose

my hands in her hair and hold her

into her flesh and mark her

this room-in this world-will know she

I’ll ever do such a thing.

ever be more than a partner in

my mother. A mating bond is nothing more than a liability. A

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that brings only hardship and

suffering.