Page 124 of Tainted Romance

"Well, I'm better now," I huffed, feeling ready to throw something across the room.

"So, you're a free wolf?"

"Yes."

"An outcast?"

"Whatever you want to call it."

"I thought your father was dead?"

"Turned out he just didn't like mom."

"Does your mom know?"

I laughed dryly. "No."

"Who does?"

"Dad and Jace."

"Who is Jace?"

I rolled my eyes. "My boyfriend."

He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Aww for God's sake, Zane, he is my brother. You met him the other night!"

"Right." He rubbed his chin. "Well, this changes things."

Changes what? What was he thinking? He didn't honestly think I was going to go back to the pack after being free!

"No, it doesn't. We aren't connected. You can do what you want, and I can do what I want so you have my permission to date whoever. Hell, marry them for all I care. Just leave me alone."

"That isn't going to happen."

"Yes, it is."

"You are coming back to the pack and dad will reconnect you. You are no outcast or free wolf. You are my mate, and my mate will stay by my side."

"Zane, listen to yourself. The whole pack knows what happened to me and if they find out I've been a free wolf or an outcast, they won't ever follow my command, and with you stepping up taking your father’s position, it would just be a nightmare. They wouldn't follow you."

"You don't know that."

"Oh, come on! Zane, I lived in the pack, and I know what they thought of free wolves. I'm not stupid."

"Fine. They don't need to know you were a free wolf. We will just tell them you were sick and now you are better."

"You forget one thing."

"That being?"

"I hate the pack. I hate the rules. I hate the chain of command. Alpha's rule is law, and I can't just give up on my freedom now I've had a taste of it."

He stared at me, those big black opals just staring through me. I swallowed hard and took a step back.

"You, Allie, are my mate. No-one will have you but me, and when I'm Alpha no one will dare say you don't belong."

---