Page 70 of Wolf's Endgame

In the kitchen, I poured myself a glass of juice and drank it while looking at the ceiling, hoping my mate saw it in her heart to forgive me for being…me. When Kris suggested that he talk to his sister, I was offended. The idea that my mate wouldn’t open up to me was abhorrent. Kezia and I had been through a lot together, we’d just completed the mate bond, and there were supposed to be no secrets between us.

But then Kris reminded me of who my mate was.

Kezia was stubborn and loyal. Although Landon had duped her, she would still protect him because she was a good person. Kris argued that she would only open to someone who knew the twins as well as she did. Enter the ridiculous idea of having an open phone line so I could hear everything that she said firsthand.

And it worked—I never knew about her reservations regarding her friend or the liberties he took with touching her. She wouldn’t have approved of that. Kezia may have resisted our bond, but she was my mate, and that meant something to her.

I meant something to her.

Realizing what a fool I had been to listen to her brother, I contemplated creeping into the room and asking for forgiveness. But I knew my mate well. She would be more likely to punch first and listen later.

Resigned to a sleepless night, I headed to the study. If I was going to be up all night, I could be productive.

In the study, I pulled old books from the shelves that chronicled our ancestors and pack laws. I needed to know every detail about our Pack Council and find evidence to demonstrate that Bale had them in his pocket.

With every turn of the page, my determination grew stronger as I delved deeper into the rich history of pack law. A weight of responsibility settled on my shoulders, because exposing Bale’s manipulation wasn’t just about justice for Kezia—it was about preserving the integrity of pack governance. With each crisp page I poured over, I unearthed clues and insights into the intricate workings of our Pack Council. As I read each word, my determination to confront Bale and the Pack Council grew stronger, driven by the desire to reclaim the autonomy that rightfully belonged to us.

Sitting back in the chair, I felt doubt begin to gnaw at the edges of my resolve. With each new discovery, the burden of responsibility seemed to weigh even heavier, leaving me uncertain about my capability to challenge Bale’s actions. The Pack Council was law, and to challenge that and their integrity left me feeling torn between my duty to my pack and the fear of the consequences of my actions. Despite my determination to do the right thing, self-doubt lingered like a shadow, threatening to undermine my resolve at every turn. I knew that by not acting, I was letting my pack down, my mate down and myself. Turning back was not an option. I had to see this through, no matter the personal cost, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t fear the consequences.

“You look lost.”

Looking up, I saw Kezia in the doorway, watching me. She was in simple cotton sleep shorts and a black tank that sculpted her body, highlighting how frail and thin she looked. Her white-blonde hair was harsh against her pale skin, making her appear frailer than she was.

“You should be sleeping,” I countered, watching her as she closed the door behind her, the spell enclosing us in privacy.

“The bed is too big without you.”

“You were the one who said I couldn’t sleep there,” I reminded her.

“You were the one who fucked up,” she reminded me simply, walking across the floor. She took the seat nearest me. “What’s with all the reading?”

“Pack law.” I flicked through a book beside me, opened it to the page I had marked, and handed it to her. “I remembered most of it, but there were some intricacies that even I forgot.”

Kezia took the book from me, her frown deepening as she read.

I spoke to her as she read. “I’ve been digging into pack history, trying to find evidence to expose Bale’s control over the Council. But the more I uncover, the more I realize how deep his influence runs. Confronting the Pack Council might lead to…repercussions.”

“Repercussions? What kind of repercussions?”

“Well, for one, they could deny it all, I could prove nothing, and they could exile us.”

Kezia looked up at me as I spoke. “They can try to do that, but even if they do, our voice will have been heard, and other packs will listen and ask questions.”

“You think it’s that simple?”

“No, none of this is simple. It’s a shitshow. Fighting Bale and his love of silver torture is one thing, but challenging the Pack Council for being corrupt is a whole other level.” She got to her feet and walked over to me. “It’s a level that needs to be confronted though, and I can’t think of anyone better suited to the task.”

I drew her nearer, settling her between my legs, feeling her warmth against my skin. With each upward stroke of my hands along the back of her legs, I paid special attention to the gentle caress of my thumbs against the skin beneath her buttocks, causing her to let out a small gasp.

“And if I am exiled?”

“Then we’ll be exiled together. But it won’t come to that. I believe you will win this fight.”

Looking up at her, I found strength in her unwavering belief in me. I felt undeserving of it, unsure of how I had earned her trust after everything I had done to her, yet seeing it swelled me with pride.

“I don’t think I deserve you.”

“I know.” She smiled down at me, her fingers stroking through my hair. “You could have had such an easier time if you had stuck with someone like Koda.”

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