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?"

this pack one day. I trust you to make

mine. To him, it was about maintaining control, appearances, and traditions-no matter who got trampled in the process.

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 Part of me wanted to shrug him off, to tell him that his way of leading was outdated and blind to

Alpha," I managed to say through clenched

toward the house. I watched him go, the weight of his expectations pressing down like

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

She's our

doesn't want us..." My voice broke, the thought

insisted firmly. "We have

The damp earth soaked into my skin, but I didn't care. Exhaustion washed over me, both physical and emotional. "One day at a time," Rolo soothed. "For her.

The words

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

my pity party. I

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