The day I found out Gideon had gotten my mother’s adopted daughter pregnant, I petitioned the Gray Harbor Council of Elders to dissolve our marriage pact. Then I formally renounced my ties to the White Ash River pack and left for France.
At the gate, my phone buzzed without stopping. The screen was a wall of messages from Gideon.
“This isn’t what you think. Let me explain.”
“Don’t do anything rash. The elders haven’t dissolved our pact yet.”
“Pick up. I’m begging you.”
Ours was never a fated mate bond, but an arranged union witnessed by both our families. It had lasted four years. Four years in which Gideon had refused to so much as touch me, yet here he was, admitting Ophelia was carrying his pup.
I stared at the name on the screen, the man who always wore such a cold mask. It was the first time I had ever seen him use the word *beg*.
My fingertip hovered over the power button for a full forty seconds.
My wolf knew his cedar scent. It remembered his promise to protect me. But now, all it gave me was silence.
In the end, I shut down the phone, removed the SIM card, and snapped it cleanly in two.
It wasn’t until my mother fell critically ill, six years later, that I returned to Gray Harbor.
After Six Years The Alpha Begs For My Return Chapter 16 “After the child was born, I held him once,” my mother continued, taking another breath. “My wolf didn’t smell the Locke family kin-scent on that pup. It wasn’t enough to make a public accusation, so I kept quiet. But from that day on, I
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After Six Years The Alpha Begs For My Return Chapter 15 I lowered my head and clasped her hand. “I’m fine.” She looked at me. “I know about Ophelia. After you left, Gideon came to see me at every winter solstice moon banquet, and Ophelia came, too. I won’t comment on their situation. But there
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After Six Years The Alpha Begs For My Return Chapter 14 “Explain what?” I looked up at him. “How you acknowledged my adopted sister’s pregnancy while you were still bound to me by a marriage pact? Or how you had the elders register her as acting Luna and let her wear a mate’s signet ring
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After Six Years The Alpha Begs For My Return Chapter 13 “Mom,” Ophelia said as she walked to the bedside, “I made the chicken noodle soup you like. Have some while it’s hot.” My mother glanced at her but said nothing. Ophelia bit her lip, set the bowl on the nightstand, and turned to Reese.
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After Six Years The Alpha Begs For My Return Chapter 12 Her wolf-scent was so faint it was nearly undetectable. When she saw me push the door open, her eyes lit up, and she lifted a hand to beckon me closer. “Avery…” I hurried to her side and took her hand, a sharp sting behind
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After Six Years The Alpha Begs For My Return Chapter 11 “You don’t get to decide what’s enough, Mr. Locke.” I bit down on the title. “Control your contract mate and keep her from arranging my life again. I’m busy. I don’t have time to play happy families with all of you.” Then I
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After Six Years The Alpha Begs For My Return Chapter 10 Her tears fell at once, and she swayed as if she might collapse. “Avery!” Franklin barked. “How can you speak to Ophelia like that? Her wolf is weak, and you still push her like this. Have you no sense of responsibility as an older
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After Six Years The Alpha Begs For My Return Chapter 09 “We can settle it now.” Reese smiled faintly. His tone was more courteous, but his presence was undiminished. “During Avery’s six years in France, her housing, medical care, and territorial status were all protected. The work was earned by her own merit, and her
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After Six Years The Alpha Begs For My Return Chapter 08 Reese said it again, his gaze fixed on Graham, his impatience and disdain unconcealed. The last of the superiority vanished from Graham’s face. He forced a smile. “Mr. Beaumont, the agreement between Avery and me was arranged by our families’ elders. I wasn’t aware
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After Six Years The Alpha Begs For My Return Chapter 07 “Avery. I have a job for you. Keep the books for Tidewatch’s Paris trade office. It’s clean, and it’s legal.” I was so broke I was about to be evicted. I stared at the card for three seconds, then nodded. Later, I learned he’d
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