Their Secret Obsession by Pippa Moon

Chapter 0296

"Kane," he called out. "A word?"

I waited as he closed the distance between us, bracing myself for the lecture I knew was coming. It was always the same-responsibilities, duties, the weight of the pack resting on my shoulders.

"What is it?" I asked, striving to keep my tone neutral. He studied me intently, his piercing gaze searching for something-weakness, perhaps, or defiance.

"I've heard about the incident with Connie."

"I'll handle it," I sighed, rolling my eyes despite myself.

"See that you do. The pack can't afford any internal conflicts right now." He nodded slowly. I paused, a bitter laugh threatening to escape.

"So we are clear... Do you want me to scold my mate or defend her to Adam?"

one day. I trust you to make the right decision." He raised an

leadership was so different from mine. To him, it was about maintaining control, appearances, and traditions-no matter who got trampled

continued, placing a heavy hand on my shoulder. A surge of irritation shot through me. His touch felt more like a shackle than a gesture of support. Part of me wanted to shrug him off, to tell him that his way of leading

managed to say

a tight-lipped smile before turning back toward the house. I watched him go, the weight of his

wandered toward the edge of the woods. The morning sky was overcast, thick clouds blotting out the sun and casting everything in a dreary grey light. I stopped by my usual old oak tree, its gnarled branches stretching upward like skeletal fingers. "Maybe it's time we accept things

She's our

if she doesn't remember, if she doesn't want us..." My voice broke, the

insisted firmly. "We have to believe

soaked into my skin, but I didn't care. Exhaustion

children. The words

blend of hope and despair. I hadn't even had the chance to be a part of their lives, to feel them grow, to

my pity party. I was about

flicker of determination igniting inside me. "I can't give up now." As I headed back toward the packhouse, a