Page 39 of Claimed By the Wolf
“I know you think you were doing what you thought was best,” he finally responds after a long moment. “But you should have told us, especially me. We’re your pack. We always have your back. That’s what we’re here for.”
“I’m the Alpha. It’s my job to protect everyone, to handle the problems.”
“With our support.”
“She’s gone, isn’t she?” I stand. “I don’t know what else you want from me. There’s a pact, an alliance. They’ll have their ceremony next week. I single-handedly restored order between our packs.”
At the greatest possible cost to me and to Brynn. Ungrateful pricks.I don’t say that aloud.
“They’re still worried Emeric will find out you two are mated. Someone could slip up anytime and tell him.”
I whip my head toward him and glower. “Why are you talking like that? It’s been a week. Your sister hasn’t said she’s having problems there, has she?”
Brax studies me pensively. “No. Haven’t you been talking to her?”
I look away again and pace the room. “No. I think it’s better if we just keep away from each other. I think over time, things will get easier.”
The truth is, Brynn has texted me several times, but I can’t bring myself to answer any of the messages. Since consummating our bond, the agony of being away from her has been insurmountable, and I’m terrified of what any contact might do to me.
“Really?” Brax sounds skeptical. “You haven’t talked to her at all?”
“I just said no, didn’t I? Are you calling me a liar?”
Brax holds up his hands. “Whoa, no. I’m just surprised.” He pauses. “But I still think you need to break the bond.”
I don’t ask him why.
He’s right, of course. There will be a time when Brynn and I will share the same space again. It’s unavoidable with her as the new Luna and Emeric as the Alpha. If we are ever together, our attraction will be evident to everyone. Moreover, I’m not sure I can live like this for the rest of my life, the longing for her physical torture.
“I know.”
Brax’s brow furrows, surprised I’m not arguing with him.
“What? You think I need to fight all your ideas?” I ask dryly.
“No. Just most of them,” he quips. “What’s your plan then?”
“I’m going to speak with an elder tomorrow about it.”
“Someone from our pack?”
“No. She’s an outsider. I’m not worried about her leaking this to Emeric.”
His shoulders drop as he visibly relaxes. “Okay, good.” Brax stands, too, and heads toward the door. “I’m sure the pack will fall into line once the bond is broken, Nox. That’s hanging over all our heads. I don’t need to tell you what’ll happen if Emeric finds out Brynn’s really your mate.”
“No, you don’t.” I wish he’d stop talking about his sister. She’s already constantly on my mind.
“Let me know how it goes.”
I don’t respond, because I can’t make any promises.
The truth is, as logical as it is to break our mate bond, the idea of losing these intense feelings for Brynn scares me more.
But I will always do what’s best for the pack. That’s just what an Alpha does.
Circe barely lifts her head from the pillow, a young female in a nurse’s uniform hovering nearby. Warily, I remain in the doorway, eying the scene with a fusion of annoyance and pity.
Why had she agreed to see me if she was on death’s door?
