Page 71 of Wolf Bound

I walk up the stairs,and I hear Pru talking to someone, but when I walk into my room, she sitting on my bed looking at her phone.

“Were you talking to someone?” I ask, leaning against the doorframe. Her long hair looks even longer right now because of the way it’s thrown over her shoulder.

“I was talking to Addison.” She gives me a soft smile. “I told her you guys would be leaving soon.”

“We actually have to leave right now.” I cross the room and hold out my hand for her to take. She immediately reaches forward and takes it in hers, holding it tight as she climbs off the bed.

“Already?” Her brows draw together as she looks up at me.

“Yes. They’re waiting for me outside.”

We don’t say anything else as we walk downstairs hand in hand. We’re both trying to put on brave faces, but on the inside, I know she’s falling apart just like I am. I never thought I would be the one to leave her. But here I am, about to say goodbye to the love of my life and there’s a possibility I won’t be returning to her. And that thought alone is enough to make my heart break in two.

My parents, brothers, and a couple enforcers stand in front of the cars waiting for me. They all nod their heads at us before turning away so I can have a moment with Pruitt. She stands in front of me, head tilted up so she can look at me.

I’ll never get tired of seeing those bright green eyes looking at me. They hold so much emotion and are so expressive, and now as I look into them, I can see the pain shining through the strong facade she’s trying to show.

“I’m going to be okay.” I tuck a strand of blonde hair behind her ear before placing both hands on either side of her face. “I’ll come back to you in no time.”

“I know.” Her smile wobbles slightly. She holds onto my wrists, and I feel her thumb caress the“Grey”tattoo that sits there. “Everyone is going to be okay.”

“I love you, Pruitt.” As I say it, it doesn’t feel like the right words for how I feel for her. My love for her is all-consuming, and the thing that keeps my heart beating. My love for her is what is going to keep me alive today.

“I love you more,” she whispers as tears run down her face.

“I’ve loved you longer,” I feel my own eyes sting with emotion as tears begin to flow.

After an emotional kiss goodbye, I climb into the passenger side of my truck. My eyes never leave the rearview mirror as I watch her, standing there alone in the driveway, her long hair blowing across her face in the wind.

Even a minute later, when I can no longer see her, I keep my eyes on the mirror, hoping I’ll get one more glance at my beautiful mate.

But I know one more glance or look would never be enough, and that’s why I have to kill Nicolai Volkov today. I have an entire lifetime of love planned for Pruitt and me, and I’m not willing to give that up.

32

Pruitt

Idon’t have time to fall into a sobbing mess on the driveway like I want to. Instead, I watch the taillights disappear down the road and then jump into action. This is all very time-sensitive. I have to make it to the meeting spot before Nicolai and Ryker start the duel.

I march into the house and find Sawyer standing in the entryway waiting for me.

“Are you okay?” he asks. I want to laugh at his question because what part of this situation would make meokay?

“No, but it doesn’t matter,” I respond as I walk past him. “Is she here yet?”

“I had to sneak her in through the backdoor so no one would see her and ask questions.” He follows me as I step back inside. “She’s in the kitchen now. Kody and Gage are on patrol around the house. I’ll go keep them occupied so you two can have time to talk.”

I pause and turn around to look at Ryker’s best friend. “Thank you for helping me even when you didn’t want to.”

Sawyer’s face softens. “You’re welcome. Ryker is going to kill me.”

“He’ll probably think about it.” I smile at him, “But he won’t actually do it.”

“You’ve never seen him truly angry, and when he learns I helped you, he’s going to bebeyondmad.”

“And you’re going to let him be mad, and when he finally stops being mad and needs his friend, you’ll be there for him. Just like you’ve always been.” I place my hand on his upper arm and nod at him. “It’s all going to be okay.”

Sawyer leaves to find the other enforcers, and I go to the kitchen to meet with my guest.

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