“If you’re aligned with the council, then I have no choice but to
oppose you. I will never stand against Asher.” My voice was
firm, unwavering. Just because I had decided to give our mate
bond a chance didn’t mean my loyalty had shifted.
He exhaled sharply. “So, we’re back to this–me trying to have a
real conversation and you turning it into a declaration of your
feelings for Asher” His tone was dry, but I could hear the
frustration underneath it.
“That’s not what I’m doing,” I argued back. “I just know how you
operate. You’re trying to make this about me when in reality,
you’re avoiding answering the question.”
“We already had this talk, Grace. Why are we revisiting it?” He
ran a hand through his hair. “Besides, I see what you’re doing,
and it’s not going to work. I know you’re testing me.”
I folded my arms. “No, Matthew. We didn’t have this talk. You
kissed me and thought it would somehow fix everything. That’s
not how it works”
His jaw clenched. “I’ve accepted our mate bond, but if you’re
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choosing Asher over me, I’ll have to reconsider everything. I can’t be tied to someone who’s actively against me.”
A pang of guilt twisted in my chest.
Maybe what I felt for Asher wasn’t exactly love, but it didn’t
matter–I would never let anyone harm him. He had already endured too much.
“I don’t care what people say about you,” I said. “I know you’re not a bad person. But that doesn’t mean you can betray your own people!”
“If there’s one thing I value above all else, it’s family and
loyalty,” I continued. “My pack is my family. If you don’t feel the same way about yours, then we’re not compatible. You and I won’t work as mates.”
Matthew’s expression was unreadable as I spoke, but I saw the flicker of understanding in his eyes. I went on, “They accepted me as their lead warrior. They trust me to protect them from anything. Asher trained me to be who I am today, and I won’t betray that!‘
He let out a slow breath. “I get it. And for what it’s worth, I feel the same way about my people.”
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I frowned. “Then why all the secrecy? The disappearing acts,
the meetings with the council? What’s going on, Matthew?”
He hesitated before glancing around. “Promise me you won’t
tell anyone what I’m about to say.””
I raised an eyebrow. “Do I look like someone who spills secrets?”
“Fair enough,” he murmured. “But if we’re being honest, your
whole life depends on this. My choices, my actions–they aren’t
just for me. They’re about the people I care about, too.”
I nodded. “I believe you, but that doesn’t explain everything.”
“Asher and I had a plan,” he admitted. “To gather intel on the
council. Only the two of us knew about it–not even his mate.”
I bit my lip. “That’s risky. Xavier is dangerous, Matthew. If he
finds out what you’re doing, it won’t end well.”
His gaze darkened. “I know the risks, but I also know what’s at
stake. We need leverage if we’re going to win this.”
A sense of unease settled in my stomach. “And what exactly did
you learn?”
“Enough to know that the council has more on us than we
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think. We need something to use against them.”
I reached for his hand instinctively. “I just hope you know what
you’re doing.”
He gave me a small smile, the kind that made my heart race
despite my best efforts. “I appreciate that!”
I swallowed hard. “I should probably go.”
He squeezed my hand before letting go. “Not yet.”
The intensity in his gaze had me rooted in place. “What do you-”
Before I could finish, he leaned in, brushing his lips against
mine.
It was gentle at first. But when I kissed back, things started to
heat up very fast. He pulled me onto his lap and I wrapped my
arms around his neck. My pussy was so wet and ready for him.
He groaned and put a hand on my upper thigh, ready to invade
my wet area.
But just as everything was getting all good, he stopped and
pulled away from me.
“What’s the matter?” I asked breathlessly. The void was killing
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- me.
“I have to go. The council is waiting.” He looked just as desperate
as me.
“Go. We’ll have plenty of time to talk later!” I smiled. He let out a frustrated groan and grabbed my thigh. I could feel how much he wanted me.
“You are killing me.” he kissed me again before leaving hastily. I watched his back and giggled like an idiot.
I couldn’t believe the matebond was so magical and beautiful. Hell if Violet hadn’t stopped me before, I could have made the biggest mistake in my life.
Chapter 168
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