Bad Love an Alpha’s Regret by Elise Sinclair

Chapter 22

LEAH

The rest of the meeting is a blur.

Aaron hauls me to my feet and starts talking over the noise in the room about ‘personally conducting an investigation.’ And then, out of deference to me, he offered to pay my father’s bad debt so that the Regional Council would not be impacted

while he sorted through matters.

Which, of course, made everyone think he was some kind of

savior.

But could you really praise a firefighter for saving a burning building if he was the one who started the fire in the first

place?

No. Of course not.

And what Aaron did is criminal and gaslighting and all kinds

of twisted.

But it isn’t just Aaron who came out of the meeting smelling

like roses.

I made a good impression too, apparently. I struck a chord with some of the Elders. And they’ve granted my father a

reprieve because of it.

2/5

In the old days, loyalty was most prized because it held packs. together. At least a few of the council members appreciated my display of loyalty and my willingness to sacrifice myself for my family.

In the time of the Elders, matters of treachery or broken laws would be handled internally.

turn a wolf over to humans. Not willingly,

anyway.

hoping for but I’ve

and that has to count for something.

than I can say

Aaron keeps his hand on my arm and brings me out of the building to the car. He

the door ever

intentionally gentle gesture that lets

to slam it.

the opposite side,

next to me and then barks,

3/5

not William but Cedric at the wheel this time, and I wonder what that’s about. Typically, Aaron doesn’t go anywhere without James or William, so it’s weird not to see one of

the vehicle

are nowhere to be seen.

Aaron instructs

we going?” I

purses his lips bemusedly.

I said I’d do anything. I promised. Hoping he’d save

dad.

that extends to going wherever he wants to go

avoided,” he says,

me.”

a face. I

You’re

I am.”

4/5

in a room with no food for a week. The man who set me up to be convicted of embezzling-only to pin it on my father.” I scoff. “You do realize, if my father does have to testify in court, he’ll probably still end up getting me indicted.”

Aaron tenses.

the one with trust issues.” I shake my head. “Holy shit, you must be joking.”

ripple of his beast along his forearms, a

wolf has impeccable control.