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

choosers," I mutter, annoyed,

alpha. You

I shouldn't

having a pity party yet?" Hayes says, his voice firm, like he is

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Chapter 24

away before turning and grabbing him by the collar. "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

she wanted to carry my

planted seeds, and they bloomed into black

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 is me trying to plan out what is best

her into an oath where she can't backstab you, while you use her to get your way with the committee, is going to fix

did it for her, and for me." I grit out. "I need to trust that she won't

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

wouldn't have the same

hand over his

done so much for our pack and you are sacrificing so much to do what you think is best..But you

late." I mutter and he

committee meeting" He says,

suppose I do

mates. Go tell her why she is so important. Tell the poor woman who she is. She

her knowing her past." I bite out.

all of that yet? Fine. But the oath is already in place and she deserves to

him, seeing more and more of dad 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

my pocket. "Okay, I will tell her what she is

and then he

waiting for a chat when you are done. I 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

mind, still angry with me for doing what I did. Maybe if

Chapter 24

anger I feel for her and the ache in my chest to hold her.

a moment before gently pushing the door open. Colette looks up at me from her spot on the ground, sitting with her back against the bed and her eyes red and raw. There are no tears anymore, only the residue from the ones that have fallen

you." I

a choice?" She clips

me the

need?" she asks, her voice small and

will break when I mark you. If you want me to mark you." I say, fumbling over my words, choosing the most

as a maid, but I know things. I will never get to

are loopholes," I remind her and

that would entail me finding my second chance mate,

you." I swallow, my mouth going

suppose. She

the pull, didn't you? How strong it

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