Page 16 of Mate Forsaken

“I never said that,” he snapped.

“It’s inferred when you don’t honor me enough to realize I have people depending on me, too!” she yelled. “I thought you finally understood, but it’s abundantly clear you’re still thinking like a typical alpha male. It’s all me, me, me. Pack, pack, pack. Screw the woman the High Luna had chosen for you and then demand she follow you like a puppy.”

She marched out of the bedroom. A moment later, he followed, wearing only his boxer briefs.

“Circe, stop and talk to me.”

She did just that, turning and placing her hands on her hips.

“How dare you come here and act the same. ‘It’s for the greater good, Circe.’ ‘It’s for the peace treaty, Circe.’ ‘There’s no way around it, Circe.’ Well, guess what? Therewasa way around it but you never put any effort in trying to find it! I wasn’t good enough then and I’m not good enough now.”

“That’s not it at all.”

“Then tell me what it is.”

His jaw muscles flexed as he no-doubt ground his teeth together. “I can’t right now.”

Disappointment filled her, and emotion clogged her throat. “I knew you’d break my heart again,” she whispered brokenly. “You should’ve left me alone and let me forget about you.”

He went to reach for her, but she turned and fled out the back door in a flash. Letting her wolf take over her skin, and fleeing into the night.

Chapter Nine

Circe’s words kept repeating over and over through his mind. He couldn’t shake the look of betrayal on her face. All he thought about was her on the entire trip home to Shadowhide. Leaving Circe was one of the hardest things to do, but he needed a moment to think everything through.

He had a plan, but he needed to be sure it was what he wanted.

Seeing her again, how had he survived fifteen years without her? It wasn’t something he wanted to repeat. His wolf wanted her, and it prowled in the back of his mind, angry at him because he left her. Seemed like he was disappointing everyone these days.

When he made it home, there was a sense of familiarity. Everything smelled the same. Everything looked the same. He, however, wasn’t the same at all. Fifteen years ago, he had made the decision to put Circe second, and that had cost him dearly.

Miles parked his car and stepped out, taking a moment to stretch out his stiff muscles. A moment later, another vehicle pulled into his driveway and came to a stop. The engine cut off and his cousin, Grady, stepped out.

“You’re back.”

Miles gave him a droll look. “Miss me?”

“Absolutely not,” Grady replied cheerfully.

Miles grinned. He and Grady had a great relationship, acting more like brothers than cousins. He had a big heart but could fight down and dirty if there was a need, and Miles relied on him to help lead the pack. When they had been kids, Grady, him, and Zade were inseparable, with Circe following them around like a little puppy. He called her names, and she broke his nose. Tit for tat, he supposed. Wasn’t long after that when he realized he loved her.

It always came back to Circe. It wouldalwayscome back to her.

Now, he not only had to let go of the self-blame he harbored for his role in almost destroying their bond, but the guilt of what came next.

Miles knew with absolute certainty what path he needed to follow.

“I have to abdicate,” he told Grady.

His cousin laughed. “Good one.”

“I’m not joking.”

Slowly, Grady’s humor fizzled. “Wait. You’re serious? Why?”

“I found Circe.”

Grady blinked. “Ididn’t expect you to say that name. Wow, what a blast from the past. But why does finding her mean you have to abdicate?”

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