Page 72 of The Alpha's Fated Bond

I fill her in on what happened, wondering how she was able to sleep through it all. With each word, her fingers dig into her thighs, her face growing paler.

“So, we’re leaving, then?”

“You and Sophia are leaving,” I reply carefully. “And I need to ask a favor of you.”

She studies me warily. “What kind of favor?”

“There’s a chance I may not make it. If that happens, Sophia will be alone and unprotected. I need you to take her to the Central Alliance.”

“Not make it?” Lily stares at me. “Why? What are you planning to do?”

“Once you and the others are in the tunnels, my soldiers and I will collapse the entrance to make sure none of you are followed. Then, we will go after Karina. As long as she is alive, there is always going to be a sword hanging over Sophia’s neck.”

“Does Sophia know what you’re planning to do?” the young witch asks cautiously.

I shake my head. “Do you think she’ll let me stay behind if she does? You cannot tell her.”

After a pause, Lily asks, “Why the Central Alliance?”

“Her mother is also a Silver Wolf,” I explain. “Silver Wolves come from the Central Alliance. I don’t know what her mother was doing in the South, but Sophia will be safe with her own people. I’m sure they will take her in. If she stays here in the North, everybody will try to use her. I just want her to be safe.”

Lily’s eyes are distressed. “Why are you so sure that you will die? I thought the plan was for Sophia to help you—”

“That was the plan, yes. But now that Karina is going to find out soon about Sophia’s identity, she will be much more prepared. I cannot take the chance of her capturing Sophia. You don’t understand the kind of person Karina is. The word cruel does not even describe her. She’s a sadist. She will break Sophia till there’s nothing left of her. I never want that to happen. So, thegroup I am sending you and Sophia into the tunnels with is going to stop at a certain location, and you and Sophia will part ways with them there.”

“I thought you said to take her to the Central Alliance if something happens to you,” Lily argues.

“No.” I shake my head. “Take her there immediately. If I survive, I’ll come for her. I’m giving you a map that leads you directly to the Central Alliance through the free zones. Nobody will stop you. But disguise yourselves. Also, the Central Alliance has a lot of covens that will happily accept such a strong witch as yourself. I’m sure you already know that.”

Lily nods reluctantly. “I considered going there, but the terrain is awful. I didn’t want to take the risk. But I don’t want to leave Sophia to join a coven. If something happens to you, she’s going to be devastated. She’ll need me.”

I give her a small, grateful smile. “I know you and I don’t always get along, but you really are a good friend to her.”

Lily sighs. “I’ll look after her. Don’t worry about it.” She gets to her feet and gazes at me sadly. “I’ll make sure Sophia gets to her destination.”

I close my eyes in relief and run my fingers through my hair, my wolf feeling weary.

I know my mate will be upset with me, but this is the only way I can keep her safe. I’m glad I stuck to my decision not to give her the mating mark. Now, if anything happens to me, she will not be affected too deeply.

***

Lily and I leave the office together to track down my mate.

When we find her, Sophia looks up at me, strain in her eyes. “There’s one kid left, then we’re done. The parents are taking the pups away. Just give me a couple more minutes with this child.”

I lean against the door, watching her work, and my heart aches. Will she consider this a betrayal? Will she think I’m abandoning her?

I wish I could go with her. I wish we could start a new life together. But even if I simply become the catalyst of Karina’s downfall, I have to do this. I have to eliminate the threat against the woman I love. Sophia keeps telling me that we need to communicate and talk things out. But I know she will not listen to me on this. Sophia will fight me with every ounce of her being if she finds out what I’m planning to do.

I wish I could take her in my arms one more time. The agony inside me is raw, and I try to hide it.

Nathan is also here, watching Sophia. Trying to put my focus elsewhere, I ask him quietly, “Why did you open the communication channels last night?”

He blinks and looks at me. “What?”

“The communication channels,” I repeat. “Why did you remove the jammers?”

He stares at me. “I didn’t do that.”

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