MILLIE

The night cools over the next hour, but the sins that happened in this hole are forever burned into my skin. The muddy, erratic footsteps in this hole write a tale of passion and hate. The push and pull between this Alpha and I. The way we step over each other and enjoy every second of it.

The temporary mark at my neck burns. Like a reminder that business has been left unfinished. It wants Leander's teeth to sink deep into my flesh, and his cock deeper.

"I'm sorry. This shouldn't have happened. I should have known the well was here."

I whip my head around, searching for Leander's face in the darkness.

Damn him. Damn him for apologizing for the wrong reasons. Damn our bond for being so irresistible. And damn me for getting carried away and humiliating myself.

I purse my lips, unwilling to accept the apology that he has muttered for the first time. This isn't what I've waited five years to hear an apology for. I want him to ask for the forgiveness of the young girl whose heart he broke.

I straighten my clothes and close my eyes, willing my body to stop aching for him. This cursed bond devours self-control. It wages a war between the mind and body. A war that not even an Alpha can win. If Leander had been any weaker, I would have let him devour all of me—my body, restraint, anger. I would have let him fuck me into the mud.

"Let's go," I mutter. "And let's never speak of what happened here tonight."

"I did not want it this way either, Millie," he says as he reaches for me. His hands touch me for what I pray will be the last time tonight. I can't take any more.

I let him put me over his strong shoulder. He carefully scales the wall, slipping a few times, but maintaining his hold.

Once I'm back on my feet, I kick over a rock into the hole. A meager attempt to bury what happened there. Leander watches closely, staying behind as I stomp through the woods toward his home.

He tracks me down after a few minutes but keeps his distance. We both have plenty to think about tonight.

As I walk up the porch, caked in mud and desire, the guards stare with wide eyes.

I enter the house without sparing them another look, going right into the bathroom to wash away the infuriating reminders of Leander's touch and my mistakes.

The night started so wonderfully. I enjoyed seeing old faces and the satisfaction of locking Leander away. But then everything was ruined by my poor luck.

I lay in bed, covered in a long sleeve cotton shirt and pants. Wanting to get as far from my skin as possible. I pull the covers over my lap, wanting to suffocate Leander's scent that still clings to me.

My fingers dig into my mark, trying to suffocate the waves of longing that it flows through me. It's painful. Maybe I should have chosen to bleed out when I fell on those scissors. Maybe that would have been easier than letting Leander under my skin.

I flip open the ancient book that I took from his library and read until my eyes are hooded. I take notes on a piece of paper, circling the mention of the mystical stone that I keep coming across in my research on severing links. The book's verbiage is old and complicated, but the stone is said to have control over souls. Enough power to sever a link. I must locate this stone.

Maybe it'll be powerful enough to cut Leander out of my life for good.

***

"Millie."

I jerk up, my arm aching from the awkward position I slept in.

Leander is at my door, softly knocking. I don't know why. He's usually working at this time.

A part of me wishes I didn't have to face him yet. My cheeks redden at the memories of last night, but the best I can do is pretend like they never happened.

I close the book and fold my notes. Clearing my throat, I say, "Yes?"

"There's an ambassador here to see us."

An ambassador?

I jump out of bed and barge into the bathroom to brush my teeth and pat down my hair.

The council must have heard of my distress. They're here for me!

I yank the door open. Leander stands there, looking tired. His eyes are hooded and his hair messy. There's a frown on his lips.

"Downstairs," he murmurs.

I rush downstairs, not caring if my eagerness insults him.

A woman stands by the main entrance, wearing a flowing grey dress and two braids. There's a proud tattoo on her forehead. A geometrical snowflake pattern only worn by council members.

"Luna Millie," she greets, lowering her head. She extends a pair of small scissors, the bangles at her wrists clanking.

I accept the scissors. The Mockingbird women rarely cut their hair, so visitors offer their own hair as a sign of respect. All packs have their own norms, and this is ours.

I cut only a centimeter of her braid.

"Hello, councilwoman. I'm just Millie. I'm no Luna."

"Please call me Sandra. So, the rumors are true, then? You are here unwillingly?"

"That's right. I was taken from protected territory by Alpha Leander. Please tell me you're here to escort me to freedom."

She scans me from head to toe. "First thing's first. Are you well? Have you been mistreated?"

"My blood pressure's piping, but I'm fine otherwise."

Leander descends the stairs. "That makes two of us," he says.

I turn around. He leans against the rail. Looking calm. Unbothered by the presence of the council representative that could bring him hell.

What tricks does he have up his sleeve that empower him to be so bold?

"Alpha Leander will certainly be reprimanded for crossing into protected territory. But as far as your kidnapping..." She clears her throat. "There is no legislature addressing an Alpha kidnapping their mate. This has never happened in history. Usually, Lunas come willingly."

"Usually, they're given reasonable mates. I was not so lucky."

She glances between Leander and I. "Alpha? Is there anything you have to say?"

"My actions have said enough. I will give hell before I hand her over."

Such audacity.

My blood boils as it always does when I'm around him. I turn to glare at him. "Enough of this. Does my autonomy not matter? I don't want to be here. I want to return home."

He stares at the councilwoman as he says, "There are forces at play that I'm trying to protect you from. Trust me, Millie. Trust me."

There's something in his voice... More secrets that I don't have the strength to uncover. I cannot love a stranger. I cannot love in the dark. And I've spent enough energy trying to spark reason in this bleak madness. I want to get out of here before the darkness consumes me. I want to be free.

"The council can protect me just fine."

Sandra stares at Leander with an unnerving expression. With trepidation. Her lips are pursed and eyes downcast. This is unnatural. She's part of the council, an ambassador.

The council is made up of the most elite, most ancient bloodlines. They're trained from birth to serve all werewolves on the planet. What does Leander have over them? Why does he deserve their fear? How does he have power over everyone, including me?

"Millie, the solstice is just three days away. All the Alphas and council members will be there. We will discuss your options then. Perhaps we can come to a peaceful agreement."

It seems like I'm just an object to negotiate.

I shake my head when I realize what's going to happen. There's no hope for me. "He won't face any consequences, will he? He'll just get a slap on the wrist."

Sandra clears her throat. "We cannot simply remove an Alpha from his position for misdemeanors. The instability would be devastating. It was agreed that Alpha Leander will be sanctioned for crossing onto forbidden land. We will shrink the Mockingbird's pack hunting grounds this season, but rescuing you from the territory will not be possible at this time. The current legislature makes Lunas untouchable. A pack has every right to declare war over her, even against the council. It's one of their birth-given rights."

I drag my hands through my hair. Frustrated by the unfairness and bureaucracy. I feel trapped, and that's torture for a wolf. We are free creatures who feel most alive while running.

"So why not change the legislature?"

"It will take time. Please understand. This is an unprecedented case. Never in our history has an Alpha and Luna..." She can't find the words to explain our mess. I can't blame her.

"Thank you for coming, Ambassador," Leander says with finality.

The bastard shows no hint of intimidation. He doesn't blink at the threats of sanctions or penalties. He's so high on the pyramid that these threats are specks of dust on his golden throne.

"I hope you enjoy the solstice in three days' time. I'm sure it will be...eventful. May your prayers be heard by the moon goddess and bring prosperity to our packs."

Sandra dips her head respectfully before leaving me in my cell.

I grind my teeth. How foolish of me to have hope of being rescued. The council has the interest of the pack in mind, not its Luna. And all the Alphas at the solstice won't put their neck out for me because they don't owe me a damn thing.

It's up to me to save myself, and that's alright. I won't beg anymore—even to the goddess. I won't hope.

I'm simply going to get shit done.