Bad Love An Alpha’s Regret

I still don’t feel steady as the Enforcers march us out of the room and back to the main hall, that is now empty of an audience.

At least we won’t have to do this part in front of all the regional Alphas and their Lunas.

Probably the only reason is because the Council keeps the method to breaking a mating bond tightly under wraps, only allowing it under strict circumstances that don’t crop up very often.

I feel like I’m walking in a nightmare.

All I can think over and over is that this can’t be happening.

Things can’t have spiraled this far out of control.

There has to be some way to stop this before our mating bond

is broken and Aaron is executed under the next full moon.

But no last–minute stay of execution–literal or figurative- comes about.

Aaron and I are left standing on the stage hand–in–hand, while Samsen sets an old, leatherbound book on the table

next to a silver ceremonial knife.

There’s only a few Councilmembers present–including Petyr,

the ones who voted on Aaron’s guilt, while the ones who thought he was innocent have made themselves scarce,

ready to proceed with the

this over and done

that he’s destroying lives

evidence.

Aaron growls. “But we don’t have a choice, do we? So let’s get it

tone or his arrogance, however, he turns to pick up the

it is

You will draw blood with this silver knife, read

then mark Luna Leah with your

bite

my heart

to protest.

to run away.

and beg for them to have mercy, to hold the trial again, fairly this time, but I know all those

needs me to be strong.

and survive this so I can go home to him, even if it means living without my mate

and force myself to breathe slowly and not hyperventilate

and scores it across the meaty part of his palm, then looks down at the book, expression stony.

our bond exclude us from all others. No

own.”

something starting to rend, and from the subtle flinch Aaron gives,

so it will be