Page 22 of Exiled Mate

“Then we can talk about doing this more often,” I whisper as I pull her close.

Terra makes a small sound, her breath hitching, but I capture her lips in a kiss again.

I know it’s too much to wish for. I know the hope is wrong.

But the hope of a future with her? The promise of it is too much to resist.

After a quick stop at Terra’s apartment, where she puts on a really nice-looking dress and sweater combo and some makeup, we head toward the main pack compound. Most of the pack members live here, and the alpha’s office is here as well. It looks like something out of a Western… there’s a long building that’s central to a bunch of other smaller ones, with a wood porch on each and steps leading up to the entrance.

When Terra and I enter the main pack compound, hand in hand, I expected the staring. What I didn’t expect was hostility from people that I don’t remember.

Terra squeezes her hand in mine. “I think people are a little shocked to see you, Ry.”

“I think you should probably let go of my hand, or you’re going to be in danger,” I whisper back.

In response, Terra squeezes my hand harder.

“Terra…”

“Come on. The alpha’s office is just this way.”

In the last two years, there have been a lot of changes. This doesn’t feel like a ramshackle collection of buildings anymore. It feels like a town.

Loss stabs through me. While I’ve been gone, the pack has progressed. And they didn’t need me for any of it.

At the alpha’s office, Terra pauses. She drops my hand to go knock on the alpha’s door, then steps back. When she gets to me, she picks up my hand again.

I’m nervous. I don’t want Terra to get in trouble for this. But before I suggest that we don’t hold hands, it’s too late.

The alpha comes out of his office. With his beta, and several enforcers, trailing after.

They arrange themselves on the steps leading up to the small wooden structure.

Thorne folds his arms. “Rylan.”

“Thorne.”

“That’s alpha to you,” Evander snaps from Thorne’s side.

Chet is just glaring at us from his position in front of the alpha.

I throw back my shoulders. “I need to talk to you.”

“Pretty sure I made it very clear that you wouldn’t be doing any of that in the near future. Or distant future. Or ever,” Thorne glowers.

I nod. “I understand. And I spent two years away. But… I need to tell you something. Please, Thorne.”

It’s painful to beg. Especially in front of the wider pack, who are clearly watching us like we’re on Broadway.

It’s the most humiliating thing that I’ve ever done.

But. I need to.

Thorne studies me for a minute. Evander shifts on the balls of his feet, clearly upset with the situation.

“Fine. Office. Now,” Thorne barks.

I drop Terra’s hand, but she picks it up. “I’m coming with you,” she whispers.

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