Page 107 of Reaper's Pack

Didn’t understand him—my best friend, my brother-in-arms, my alpha.

I knew how he felt about her because I could fucking feel it. Literally. How could he even entertain this train of thought anymore?

“No.”

Since arriving in Lunadell, we had watched a lot of television, movies—and I had read a great many books. The weight of that one word—no—hit me as I imagined a bullet might, shot at point-blank, straight to my heart.

Declan seemed to crumble beside me, a stray shot hitting him too.

Knox didn’t even blink.

“I’ve given this a lot of thought since she was taken,” our alpha said, his words lacking inflection, emotion. “We should seize our freedom while we can. This could easily be a trap.”

“So what if it is?” I shoved the warlock into Declan’s arms, and for the first time in my life, raised a weapon to Knox—the dagger, square to his chest. My arm trembled as he stared me down, his aura overwhelming, and I dropped it to my side and stepped back. “If it’s a trap, then we’ll spring it and fight.”

Never had either of us gone against Knox. Conflict shone bright along our bond, Declan’s mingling with mine, weaving together, stronger as one.

From Knox I got… nothing.

“We leave,” he said flatly. “Head north—”

“I’m going to get Hazel.”

Declan’s declaration possessed the strength Knox and I had always wanted for him. Not once did his words waver. He stood tall, overpowering our captive, staring back at our alpha like he was seconds away from shifting—attacking, even. Certainty pounded through the bond now, confidence. He had made up his mind.

And it could shatter our pack.

I swallowed hard, but the lump steadily growing in my throat refused to budge.

“You love her, Knox,” I whispered, pleading with my eyes, unable to fathom ever begging the huge hellhound before me for anything. “You’re mated. Declan and I are mated to her. She is who Fate chose for us. Don’t do this. Don’t walk away under some misguided sentiment that no longer applies.”

“I’ve made up my mind.” Knox took a step back, away from us, away from the life we had fought so hard to build. “If you don’t follow… then I am no longer your alpha.”

Fury sparked amidst the conflict brewing in my chest. “Don’t make me choose between her and you.”

Because we both knew who I would pick—who I would always choose now.

Knox said nothing.

He had always reminded me of a mountain: strong, steadfast, rising above all those around him. Today that felt truer than ever, for today he felt cold, stoic, ice-capped and untouchable.

Tears filled my eyes, anger and frustration and misery and heartache crashing about inside. How dare he make me choose between him and my mate?

Our mate.

How fucking dare he?

“Gunnar…” Declan placed a gentle hand on my shoulder, his eyes fierce, his voice steady. “She’s suffering. We have to go.”

I focused on Knox. Look what you’re making me do. Look at what you’re doing to me.

Again, he said nothing. Just stared back, his gaze obsidian, black as the deepest pits.

Betrayal. I’d never felt it so profoundly before—and I had been fucked over a great deal in my lifetime.

“Goodbye, old friend,” I said hoarsely, struggling through every word. “You’ll regret this as soon as we leave.”

I knew that for certain.

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