Chapter 24

"Merikh POV

I lounge back in the chair on the deck, taking in the clear sky above me, showcasing the stars and the waning moon. My whole body feels like it's vibrating with every emotion. Rage, guilt, betrayal. All of them meld together, ripping through my mental state like nothing I've felt before.

"So you did it, huh?" Hayes says, approaching me from behind. I roll my eyes, knowing I should have expected him and his usual confrontations. It's what makes him such a great beta. That and I can't kill him off for his honesty,

"Hello to you too, brother." I grumble.

I ignore him as he takes a seat next to me, sighing heavily, keeping my eyes trained on the sky.

"So how did she take it?" he asks, and I scoff.

How did she take it? Not fucking well. That's for sure. Hell, the more I think about it, the more I try to convince myself I didn't see how hurt she was. How betrayed she was. But I need to get used to that look, and the feeling it carves into my s

"I think.. I exhale, looking over at him finally, "I think I broke her heart."

"Of course you did, Merikh. You took her options away." He says like she ever actually had any.

"What option? Could you explain what exactly I took from her?"

"Well, her choice, for starters.

"We both know that the blood oath is entirely reversible." I grumble. "I took nothing from her, I just delayed it."

"We know that, but she doesn't. How can she when you refuse to tell her you guys are second chance mates?"

"Colette agreed to this. Okay? She agreed to being Luna and take my mark one day." I say, sitting up and swinging to face him.

soul.

"Yes, but she meant being marked. Not the blood oath that you use on a top warrior or someone you have to keep close."

"Damn it, Hayes" I growl. "Without this oath blocking the pull to her, I will lose control! It's intoxicating, SHE is intoxicating. I want to claim her. Shit, more than I wanted to claim Lauren. It's like a festering inside my chest, like a fucking infection that keeps growing. There is no antidote or cutting it out. But this oath, it's a bandaid. It buys me time, it's to keep me sane,"

"Buys you

time for what?" He scoffs.

"To figure out what the hell to do next!" I stand abruptly.

You should have just told her you are second chance mates, so that she knows the oath can be broken when you mark her."

"I want a mate I can trust!" I roar, my chest pinching at the memory of Colette kissing Grady. The moment my trust for her shattered. "How does telling her prove this I can trust her?"

"Forcing that trust isn't real trust." Hayes says softly and I chuckle dryly

can't be choosers," I mutter, annoyed,

alpha. You don't have to

shouldn't have to

says, his voice firm, like

1/4

Chapter 24

"Hayes, it is my job to take care of this pack My job to finish what father tried to fix before MY MATE fucking killed him with her vampire lover." I release him, but I stay in his face, making sure

of the traitorous bitch who had told me the night before she wanted to

rumors doubting me and my role in all of this. Lauren had planted seeds, and they bloomed into black blossoms of doubt overnight after being watered

me trusting her, and the wrong people on the committee that have the Lycans weaker than we have ever been, and the werewolves exposed to the fucking other supernatural asstards that can use them how they please. This isn't a pity party. This

backstab you, while you use her to get your

did it for her, and for me." I grit out. "I need to trust that she

reason." He whispers, looking disappointed in me. "You wanted her

have the same effect?"

dragging his hand over his

sacrificing so much to do what you think is best..But you are on the path to messing this up beyond repair" I sigh, looking up at the moon for some

mutter

to smooth this over before your committee meeting" He says, looking

you suppose

mates. Go tell her why she is so important. Tell the poor woman who she is. She is strong enough to handle it

can't risk her knowing her past." I bite out. "We

Fine. But the oath is already in

in him every day. Hayes has the heart of our mother and the wise words of our father. The combination always brings me comfort after pissing me

shoving my hands in my pocket. "Okay, I will tell her what she is to

wide and then he

have to know how she responds. Do you think she will slap you?" He teases and I frown. From a wise father like figure to idiot brother in ten seconds flat. Might

is anxiety ridden, my lycan pouting in my mind, still angry with me for doing what I did. Maybe if he were a more controlled beast, we wouldn't have had

Chapter 24

get closer to her door, I can feel the emotions brewing. The anger I feel for her and the ache in my chest to hold her. Such conflicting emotions are becoming a constant

the bed and her eyes red and raw. There are no

need to speak with you." I swallow,

a choice?"

I nod, giving her the ability to push me the way I have done to her.

need?" she asks, her voice small and

when I mark you. If you want me to mark you." I say, fumbling over my

a maid, but I know things. I will

loopholes," I remind her and

would entail me finding my second chance mate, and

he can find you." I swallow, my

suppose. She

pull, didn't you?

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