Bad Love An Alpha’s Regret

I’m on the ground.

Brian is standing in front of a bonfire and at least a dozen wolves have formed a circle around us and the flames.

It’s…eerie.

Something about these woods feels too still. Forests are normally teeming with life and this one seems desolate. I don’t think because it’s a man-made copse, that it’s vacant. The reason seems darker, deeper, like there is something wrong with the earth beneath the trees.

“Why did you bring me here?”

Brian arches a brow.

“I mean, I know why. But why here? Why not go back to your lands or somewhere else?”

It’s closing in on midnight and I need to buy time. I won’t be able to stop the transfer of power. An Alpha can connect to anyone in his bloodline or pack, and in choosing me, my father ensured that his power would go to me. I could be on the other side of the world and it wouldn’t make a difference.

I can’t stop the influx. But maybe I can distract Brian enough to stop him from ki lling me.

I’m not stu pid. Brian brought me to a scrap of land that’s in a neutral territory. We’re far from my father’s pack, from Aaron, from the Council.

I just need to keep him talking.

I twist my wrists and try to pull one of my hands free. The shackle bites into my skin and I bleed..

I use my blood to try and slicken my skin but even though I’m tugging hard, I can’t get the cuff past my bones. Desperate, I yank my thumb out of its socket and muffle a scream.

The cuff slides off, but I fist my hand around it so it isn’t

obvious.

still talking. He’s pointing out at the rows and

trees.

the circle

the time comes, they’ll probably fight over my bones. After Brian

I shudder.

to run, but I won’t make it a dozen feet, not with how my feet are bound, and with this many wolves, on this terrain, they’d take me down in seconds. No. I need

When he attacks, I need to be ready.

And I am.

my hands into fists.

m om d ied

“What?”

I chose this place.”

AARON

the dozen or so men spread out around the fire. Leah’s standing alone. Brian’s

in what he’s

he prevailed in a battle to the death,

Brian doesn’t play

Leithrow. He murdered the

taking on Leah, even if he does ‘challenge’ her and

as witnesses, what honor is there in ki lling a woman?

human who cannot

a co ward.

teeth extend until my canines hang out of my mo uth and my arms are clawed and

to rip his

ck. I see that now. I think I’ve

strikes her.

her in the face and