Page 98 of Out of Peril

Kyle met me and Walker in a small shed-like building that was connected to the arena. When he left this room, Walker would go with him and be taken to the observation platform while I would wait here until the Challenge was called to start and then enter directly into the arena.

“I don't know anything at all about your opponent except that she's being sponsored by NOLA.”

“It's fine. I don't even need to know who she is.”

There were very few people I cared about there. I had no siblings, so that wasn't a concern, and the few cousins I did have had always been assholes to me anyway. Short of my own mother being tossed into the ring with me, I really didn't care.

“Okay then. Any questions or last-minute will and testament sort of things you need from me then?”

I bit my lip and nodded. “Yes. There is.”

Walker watched me in confusion.

“I need a promise that no matter what happens today, that my children will be looked after, cared for, and raised in this Pack.”

I dropped to my knees and bared my neck to Kyle.

“Please accept my allegiance which will then be passed on to Maya and Dante.”

“Are you doing this just for them? Because I already consider them Pack through Walker, so there is no need to worry about that,” Kyle asked.

I looked up at him, but there were tears in my eyes now. The kids would be okay. Walker was strong, he'd survive, and I trusted that he would protect them as his own.

“This isn't just for them. I've found a home here in San Marco—a family, friends, people I genuinely care about. I've spent most of my life all alone unable to trust another being. Coming here has shown me that there's a hell of lot more to life when it's with the right people.”

I reached up and took Walker's hand.

“So this isn't just for them, but for me. And it's not a last testimony sort of thing because I have no intentions of dying today or tomorrow, or for a very long time. But this Challenge has forced me to really look at my life and consider what I want for my future, and I'm ready to make this my first step in that direction.”

“I don't think I've ever heard it put quite so eloquently before. Thank you. And you can get up now. I fully support and accept your decision. Welcome to Westin Pack, Lindsey.”

Walker helped me up as I hugged Kyle and then found myself ripped from him to swing through the air in the arms of my mate.

“I had no idea she was planning on doing this. With everything going on we hadn't even discussed it.”

“What's done is done, but for my own peace of mind, I assume you have no regrets for her decision?”

“Not a one.”

He kissed me right there in front of our Alpha.

“I'm going to give you two a few minutes, but don't be long. They should be starting soon.”

Kyle stepped from the room while we continued to kiss.

We didn't talk about the future, or what may or may not happen. We didn’t dwell on our circumstances at all. We just held on to one another and lived in that moment, the moment before everything changed.

*****

I told myself none of the details mattered to me.

I forbid myself from looking up to the platform above, where Walker sat as a prize ready to be claimed by the victor.

I promised myself that I had made all the necessary arrangements and could go into this fight with a clear conscience.

And I had lied to myself on all three counts.

*****

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