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.

1/4

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.

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

our collective packs-1, Leah Roberts Rathborn

member Karolina

as tribute in place of my father.”

my dead body!” Aaron screams.

AARON

Leah gasps.

you doing?” I ask her.

Aaron is a good man, and, of

by my vow. Please accept me as tribute in my father’s stead, and I beg you to

attest, I sometimes make mistakes with

accounting.”

it

3/4

chosen wisely. Acknowledging I’m her husband

divorce

possessive washes

her knees.

hearing her choose me.

my hands in her hair and

want to sink my teeth into her flesh and mark her skin

in this room-in this world-will know she

do

will ever be more than a partner in name

nearly led us to ruin with his obsession with my mother. A mating bond is

4/4

and mental chain that brings only hardship

suffering.