Page 55 of The Alpha's Fated Bond

“True.” Patrick nods. “But right now, he’s stewing. Nathan has always been single-minded. Not a robot, but he doesn’t care whohe bulldozes over to get what he wants. We need someone to control him.”

“I thought that was your job.” I lean back in my chair, exhausted.

“If only he would listen to me.” Patrick stretches his arms out before settling them behind his head. “But don’t worry. He won’t do anything stupid. He likes Sophia and does feel indebted to her. The most he will do is try to talk to her.”

Sophia’s heart is soft. Even her prickly exterior has begun to fade away to quite an extent. But I don’t want anyone taking advantage of her. It honestly does feel to me that Sophia, despite her incredible power, needs someone to protect her.

“Have you thought about this?” Patrick inquires. “You do realize that if you decide not to go after Karina, our pack will hold Sophia responsible. And it’s not just our pack. All the other territories in the North Alliance are watching us. The minute we take a stand against Karina and are even remotely successful, they’ll follow suit.”

“She’s got leverage on every pack,” I point out grimly. “Do you really think they’ll risk the lives of their pups?”

“They’re desperate,” Patrick says shortly. “I have a feeling they’ll take that risk. If they think there’s a chance, they will step up. We’ve all been oppressed for the last twenty years, and if you take a step back now, we’re looking at another few decades of living like this, under Karina’s tyranny. This may be the only opportunity we have to strike.”

“Are you asking me to use Sophia?” I ask quietly.

Patrick looks tired. “I don’t want to use her. I know she means everything to you. But I want you to consider the situation at hand. We need her. Let this be her choice.”

I open my mouth to say something, but my friend continues speaking. “If need be, we can still protect her. I meant what I said, Alex. I stand by you, no matter what. You’ve been my Alpha since your parents died. But there is no question about it: Sophia is the only one who can change the tides of this war. As long as you’re alive, Karina will not stop trying to destroy you. Like us, she is also aware that you are the true leader of the North Alliance.”

Patrick gets to his feet, agitated. “If she had taken control of the Alliance through the proper channels, the others might have considered her a true queen. But she used underhanded methods and is controlling the packs using threats. She has leverage on every single pack. I think that’s why the rest of the North is looking to you.”

He puts a hand on my shoulder before following after the others.

Sitting alone in the quiet room, I rest my head against the back of the chair and stare at the ceiling.

My pack will be upset. Patrick is right about that. But I don’t want Sophia’s hands to be stained with blood when she may not be able to bear it. I’m stuck in an impossible situation.

Things are finally getting good between Sophia and me. We’ve talked things out, and the time we spend together makes me feel alive. It’s been hard to keep my hands off her ever since she kissed me the other night. It’s been equally hard to stop myself from giving her my mating mark. I want to do it, but even if her wolf is ready, which I doubt, the minute I give her my mark, shebecomes vulnerable. The mating mark, especially between fated mates, links our life spans. If I die, so will Sophia. If I suffer a fatal wound, she will suffer with me. Karina will be able to use her against me. But the more likely scenario, which I dread, is Karina finding out Sophia’s identity as the Silver Wolf and then using me as leverage to force Sophia to use her powers on Karina’s behalf.

It’s getting late. I should be getting back home.

A smile forms on my lips as I think about my mate, asleep in my bed. Her scent lingers in every room of our house, and for the first time, I’ve begun to look forward to going home. She hasn’t taken me up on my suggestion to redecorate the place, but she has moved a few things around. Now more than ever, I wish I could house Lily elsewhere.

With the witch living there, Sophia and I are restricted to the bedroom. And Lily knows it. She shoots me smug looks every now and then when I try to flirt with my mate and Sophia tilts her head in Lily’s direction, silently telling me to behave.

Lily knows what’s going on, but she’s enjoying my irritation.

Returning through the underground tunnels to the small shed in my backyard, I climb out before locking the trap door and covering it with tools and unplanted shrubs. As I suspected, Sophia is awake. The kitchen light is on.

It’s five in the morning, so it doesn’t surprise me. She’s usually up at this time, making coffee or something. However, I’ve only taken two steps inside the house when a different scent drifts toward me.

She’s not alone.

A growl in my throat, I stride in the direction of the kitchen.

Sophia is standing by the coffee maker, her expression tense, while Nathan sits at the kitchen counter.

“Nathan.” My voice is cold, fury dripping from it. How dare he? “Once again, you’re going behind my back to Sophia—”

I’m walking toward him when Sophia jumps between us. “Don’t!” Her voice is hard, her eyes flashing. “He didn’t come here himself. I saw him outside, and I called to him.”

I ignore her, glaring at the young man sitting in my home. “If you’re dissatisfied with me as an Alpha, you’re welcome to leave this pack, Nathan.”

Nathan goes pale, and Sophia grabs my chin, forcing me to look at her as she demands, “Are you deaf? Is that it? I’m telling you, he hasn’t said anything! I’m the one interrogating him. If you want to be mad, be mad at me!”

My jaw tightens. I don’t believe her.

“I didn’t—She asked me to come inside,” Nathan mumbles, and at this moment he looks very much like the young boy he is.

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