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Franklin is already waiting outside, talking to a couple of men as I walk Aerin past him. When I reach my car, I tuck my car keys into her hand.

Her eyes are full of tears as she stares up at me. “No.”

“This is what will keep you safe.”

“No, Mack. I changed my mind. I don’t agree with this.” She shakes her head again as tears slide down her cheeks. “I’m not leaving you here.”

“You are getting somewhere safe with Thumper. Not leaving me here.”

“But…”

I kiss her as if my heart isn’t breaking alongside hers.

“You said if there was anything I wanted to ask and it was mine,” she whispers, gripping the front of my shirt and holding on tight. “I want you to come with me.”

I wish I could. With every bone in my body, I wish it.

But Aerin and the baby would never be safe. Neither would my pack.

For them to have the future they deserve, I have to do this.

I kiss her forehead. “Time to go, love.”

She clings to me. “No.”

I study her. “Can we agree on one thing, love?”

After a moment, she nods. “Okay.”

“Thumper is what matters here. For thumper to be safe, you have to be safe, and that place isn’t here. You have to go, love. You know that as well as I do.”

Another tear tracks down her cheek. “I know.”

Franklin is standing somewhere behind me.

I wish I could growl at him to go away, but he won’t be the only Raleigh watching us, wanting to be sure I keep my word by helping Aerin into the car and staying when I want to leave with her.

I kiss her again. “Time to go, love.”

She moves slowly to the car, and this time, I know it’s not because she’s tired from her pregnancy. It’s because she doesn’t want to leave at all.

I help her into the car and slam the door shut.

She starts up the car, and I stand in the driveway, watching my beautiful mate drive away.

When I’ve lost sight of her, I let my smile fall away and I turn back to Franklin. “You have what you want. But if you go near Aerin ever again, I will burn this place down around you even if it means I burn too, andyouwill be the thing I set on fire first. Do you understand me?”

Franklin nods. “Yes, Alpha.”

I nearly choke when I hear the title.

This pack isn’t mine. It willneverbe mine. But if this keeps Aerin and my pack safe, then this is what I will be.

For now.

“Gather everyone. I’m calling a meeting to discuss the way things will be.”

19

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