Page 54 of The Alpha's Chosen Outcast

Trey leans in so his lips are right by my ear. “Don’t worry,” he whispers, “they don’t have a choice but to comply. This is the law.”

“They’re not happy, Trey,” I whisper back.

“I’m their Alpha. They’ll get over it.”

Dinner comes then, we eat, then talk to Violet and Brody. I don’t bring anything else up because I don’t want to ruin their wedding day, but at the same time, I don’t actually think the pack will come around, and I don’t know what to do about that.

Someone comes around to tell us that my things are all in the coat room. When I hear that message, I make my decision. I can’t let Trey do this.

The wolf in me rages against this decision as soon as I make it, but I won’t back down. Trey’s power is precarious right now, and he needs to concentrate on his family. Not me.

After dinner, someone else comes over to him, and he tells me he’ll be back in a few minutes. There’s some business he needs to take care of.

He leaves through one of the side doors that goes back to the kitchen and I’m alone. Now is my chance. I won’t get another one like this.

I slip out the door that’s right near the table we’re sitting at and head for the cloakroom. My phone is in my pocket, and I use my rideshare app to order a ride to the airport.

Then I call Jessie and ask her to move my flight and she obliges. I gather my things and head out to the ride-share car minutes later.

As I get farther and farther from Trey, the wolf in me rages harder. She wants me to go back and be with my mate, but I can’t do it.

I think about my parents, but they can’t know that I’m here and leaving either. I’m going back home, saying goodbye, and disappearing again. It’s what’s best for everyone.

I get through security faster than I thought I would, and I sit in the boarding area waiting to get on the plane. I check my phone. No messages yet.

I’m still fighting myself about going back. I don’t want to be an Alpha’s mate. I don’t want the scrutiny or the power, and I don’t want to have to fight my own pack to keep my marriage every day.

I don’t want Violet and Brody to be in danger because I love Trey. I don’t want him to lose his family’s legacy because he loves me back. Yes, my leaving is the best thing for everyone.

They’re calling my section to board now. This will all be over soon. I’ve disappeared before, and I know how to do it again.

On the plane, the flight attendants come around, asking everyone to turn off their devices. I check my phone one last time and see that I have a message from Trey.

He can feel that I’m farther away from him, and he wants me to come back. I almost get off the plane right there. With a colossal effort, I make myself stay put. I have to do this.

I text him back.

Me:I can’t let you take this hit for me. I see what the pack feels. I can tell that they won’t ever accept me, and I can’t do that to you. I can’t let you give up your family’s legacy like that. I’m going to be okay. You don’t have to worry. I’ve done this before and as I get farther away, you won’t even remember that I’myour mate. You’re going to be a wonderful leader, Trey. Let me do this for you so that nothing gets in the way of that calling. I love you. Goodbye.

With that, I turn off my phone and get ready for takeoff.

Chapter 16

TREY

After Violet’s wedding reception, she and Brody leave straight for their honeymoon. They’re taking a tour of Europe for three weeks.

With her gone, I’m the only Hanover at the estate. It’s so strange to come home to only staff members and no family. However, some of the staff members are like family at this point.

No one questions why I’m barely coherent and just going through the motions. My father died last night, and my sister is going to move out when she gets back to set up house with her new husband.

The woman I announced as my fiancé has disappeared, but they don’t say anything about that.

When the reception was over, I could barely wait to get outside before I changed. The howl I let out had probably been heard all the way out to the Hamptons.

I needed to be in nature, to let my wolf take over. That part of me wanted to keep running until I found Heather. But I can’t leave my pack. They’re looking to me for everything now.

Every waking moment I have is filled with thoughts of her, of the time we shared while she was here, and the wishes I had for our lives.

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