*Colette POV

I cradle my hand, the skin still stinging where I slapped Grady and told him to leave. He has put me in an impossible situation, one that has the potential to ruin everything I thought I was building here with Meri And with Merikh, I am. Hell; he could choose anyone in the entire pack and he wanted me. Zero hesitation. One little lie and Grady was rejecting me without hesitation. He did it with tears, but even if he hadn't And for him to show up here, after everything, after weeks of him being with Leslie. He had a lot of nerve to sneak into my pack and try to convince me to run away with him. Especially since it is only after learn So, of course, when the asshole k*ssed me, I had no choice but to gather my brains and smack the shit out of him. But now that I see Merikh, the way he is watching me, like he knows something is wrong... I can't tell him. As mad as I am with Grady. No matter how hard I want to hit him again. Merikh warned me the day he chose me. He warned me he would kill Grady, and I believe wholeheartedly that he will. So as much as it hurts, I have to keep this impromptu meeting a secret, until I know Grady is gone safely from pack grounds. Until I feel he is far enough away that I can calm Merikh down and explain what hap "You should head to find some dinner," Merikh says, his face stoic and unreadable. "It's already late."

"I thought we would eat together-"

"You thought wrong." He snaps and I rear back, surprised by his demeanor.

"Oh... It's just that.....Earlier you said we would-,"

"I'm sorry," He exhales, cutting me off. "There is a lot to attend to for tomorrow, and I still have to figure out who the other traitor is."

"The other traitor? There is more than one?" I ask and he scoffs, shaking his head.

"Seems I am up to my n*ck in them lately." He mutters. "I will see you tomorrow for the official introduction to

the pack."

"Oh, I see." I sigh, not even trying to veil my disappointment, but he seems to be lost in his thoughts again. “Then I'll just.....go.”

Merikh doesn't fight me on it and my chest aches as I wander away from him, hating how he doesn't even look at me once. I should go back and tell him. Shit, I know I should have told him right out the gate ab I can't even remember how I made it back to my room, my mind moving a million miles a minute and my emotions completely wrecked. Here I thought all this time I loved Grady, that I had felt that earth shatteri Yet when that bond broke, when I left with Merikh and felt what it was like to be treated like more than a maid. More than someone who could never have anything.did I know what love was? Was it just me feel know what actual love

was?

"You are back," Penny says, sounding relieved as she peeks around the bedroom door. I give her a strange look as she pushes into the room, closing the door behind her. "Uh...yeah..."

"It's just that Percy mind linked me...he said that you may have...had a rough walk. "

drops and I can feel

could kill Grady come flooding into my mind and bile rises in my th "D-did Percy...say anything else?" I ask, finally lifting my eyes to meet hers. Penny watches me for a

okay?" She whispers as tears dot my

eyes. A frustrated groan tumbles from my lips as I move to the bed to sit.

want?" Penny asks, leaning on the dresser across from

run away with him," I scoff, wiping at my eyes annoyed. "He thought he

you need saving?" Penny

the longer I watch her, the more I realize she is serious. Does she think I am here because Merikh is forcing me? That I would truly run just because an opportunity arises? "No, and I sure as shit don't want it."

did you tell

I told him to leave,

hit mine. Cracked and weirdly wet. The lips I once had longed for

up straight, ready to go on the attack, murder written all over her face. "Did he hurt you? Why didn't Percy jump

I whimper, pushing my hands into my hair, afraid to look at her. What if she

shit..."

stood there. Then I realized what was happening, and I slapped him." I rush out, the memory still too fresh. "Wait,

didn't k*ss him back," I snap

with a relieved chuckle as she plops down next to

don't know what to do, Penny." I groan, covering my face with my hands. How does someone go from no

You aren't planning to leave, are you?" Her voice

Do you really think I would

"You

but I've only known you three weeks..." She reminds me with a half

so much more.

my cheeks pink. “I like him, and I asked him

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