Page 121 of Empowering the Wolf's Heart

“A life built on what-ifs is a life not lived at all. If it helps at all, Rey never respected me if I asked for space. Your Shen has.”

It was true. I hadn’t seen Shen since I told him I didn’t want to. I had a feeling he was never far, but he didn’t push for anything I wasn’t willing to give.

“How do youknow,though?” I asked. Rey had been so… charming. It was easy to believe him. To believeinhim. He was so nice and would do things for nearly anyone. One time, he rescued a child from a burning building and was lauded as a hero. He did things like that all the time… and then went home and nearly killed his wife with his words.

“Does he protect you from himself?” Anna asked, pulling me back to the present.

Memories rolled through my mind. The time Shen first met my eyes when he was over Ran’s flank, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement. The moments after I’d kidnapped him when he could’ve escaped but chose not to. When he fed Fenbutt because I asked and how he’d gagged afterward. The times he took an arrow for me. Even more so was the vulnerability he showed in having me close to his back after it all and how he’d shown me a side of himself that was a bit broken and very torn.

There was also the caverns. He never took advantage of me, never even crossed my space until I was more comfortable with him. He even sharpened my blades as if he knew that would make me feel safer. He saw how uncomfortable I was and worked hard to make sure I felt secure and in control, going so far as surrendering himself into my hands and baring his neck when I was weak as a kitten.

Again and again, he’d shown gentleness and respect. Even when I’d poked and prodded, he’d merely given some back, but was never mean or inconsiderate in his teasing. He was ever respectful.

With nothing to gain from me, he gave me everything.

“I need to see him.”

“Thought you’d say that,” Anna said.

I squinted my eyes. “You freakin’—”

“Alia.”

That voice.

My heart simultaneously broke and mended in my chest as Fenbutt bounded away from me with a low yip of excitement.

CHAPTER 43

The Confession

SHEN & ALIA

Shen

Her eyes were dull from exhaustion and cloudy with fear. She needed to take a break.

“Shen.” Her voice was soft, breathy.

I bent down and picked up a wriggly Fenbutt, who licked my face and snorted in happiness as I stared down at the woman sitting in the shade of an umbrella tree.

Her dark, unbound hair fell like waves of silk down her back. She normally had it tied up, so it was quite unexpected and delightful to see flowing freely. But her face was drawn with exhaustion and her scent was tinged with a muddying. It was as if her essence was masked by a scent that was sickly-sweet. Stress.

She was here, though. And she was willing to hear me out.

I set Fenbutt down, and he dove off into the underbrush, chasing a rabbit with a mostly missing horn.

I soaked in her presence. She was my mate. I would not leave her unless she rejected me. Then I would respect her choice, even if it broke what was left of me.

But shewantedto speak with me.

Alia scrambled to her feet and tripped over a root. I caught her, spinning her in a circle, breathing her in, allowing her scent to ease the tightness of my chest.

Her shoulders shook, but there was no scent of tears. “I’m sorry,” she bit out.

I set her feet on the ground and caught her chin before she turned away. I ducked my head, catching her eyes. “No, please. It is I who should apologize. I kept it from you. I should have told you much sooner?—”

“You should’ve, but I also should’ve given you a chance to explain. I’m sorry I ran you off at the first sign of betrayal.”

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