The image of my response - to their ultimatum - is posted both in the social network thread that started this and in the Alpha’s private section. Once that is done, I feel an incredible sense of relief.
I hate only reacting to problems instead of getting ahead of them, but when I have to do so... making sure everyone is on the sa page as I am has been key to growing this business.
My Beta looks over with another slow exhale from him as he tries talking down.
"You realize what you’re risking here? Not just politically, but personally? You’re gambling the pack’s stability. On a woman who hasn’t even accepted you, if I understand it."
"I know exactly what I’m risking."
"No, I don’t think you do. You’re putting her above the pack, Ky. Above your responsibilities. This isn’t like you."
His voice hardened as he spoke to and I felt a flash of anger, then forced myself to calm down. To count. He wasn’t wrong. Not exactly.
I think I’m acting fairly rationally, but I’ve never been in lo-... I’ve never had a mate bond waiting. How much of is behaving rationally, how much is just treating her as a mber of my pack, and how much is making ... obsess?
When I speak again, it’s quiet. But with the sa strong certainty as I’ve had ever since she rebuffed the first ti.
"What would you have do, Luca? Let them take my potential mate and her child by force? Would that have been the responsible Alpha thing to do?"
"Of course not. But lying to Victoria-"
"Was a decision I made against an elent of our pack that has always sought to undermine . Who was the cause of this in the fucking first place, Luca, and is lucky I didn’t get more upset than I did."
I pushed both the letter and the tablet, still sitting right on the social posts, to him. Then my claws grip on the arms of my chair. This uncomfortable chair that I at least can’t destroy in monts like this.
"Look at that, then have this delivered imdiately. I’m not backing down on it."
Luca didn’t move toward the door after scanning it. But he did click his tongue... a sound I only hear him make about either his father or that woman.
I don’t like that the only reason he might agree with over this is because of sothing Victoria has done. But it’s also true that if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be so upset.
"And what happens when... Citra discovers we’ve known about her pregnancy?"
"She won’t find out from . Or from anyone in this pack. Not if I have anything to say about it."
"Look, I know Claire is amazing at what she does, but you can’t control information like that, Kyrie. Not forever. Soone will say sothing and it will be out."
"I don’t need forever. Just... need to give her more ti. Please, just back on this."
I’m not sure what my face looks like, but Luca shook his head. Looking genuinely concerned now, more personally than before.
"I’ve never seen you like this. Over anyone."
"...I’ve never felt like this. About anyone."
"And if she leaves? If she rejects the mate bond? What then?"
I turned the chair and looked away, out the window again. Out to wherever she is. Wherever she’ll go.
And right now? I can’t picture myself not following.
"Then I’ll deal with that when it happens."
"Alpha. Listen to . If she leaves and you’re this invested... the pack would be at risk. We’d be at risk."
I turned back to him, understanding what he’s really getting at. An Alpha rejected firmly by their fated mate could beco unstable and dangerous. We both knew the stories.
"If that happens. And if I beco a danger to the pack. You have my permission to do what needs to be done."
Each line is delivered carefully. In the end, Luca pales with a fearful emotion as he steps back. His eyes even glow a little...
"That’s not what I-"
"But I should warn you. If I think you’re wrong. That I still have my mate and my pack’s interest in mind. Then I wouldn’t make it easy for you."
Delivering a cold smile, one I never want Citra to see make... he stared at . For a long challenging mont, then shook his head as he went to the door to carry out my order.
"Truly. Goddess help us all. What was she thinking, giving you such a ssy situation."
When he was gone, I sat back down at my desk. Soon enough, I looked at the clinic charge on my tablet once more. Then I was opening my phone and looking at the pictures she sent .
Angry face, shocked , cityscape, fox mug. All of it feels so random. All of it feels so precious.
I tried to set it all aside. To return to the quarterly projections and the reviews of Lunarizon work still weeks out. But my heart still thundered in my chest.
So much that I go and just sit down on the floor near the window and look out at the sky. The darkening sky, dropping rain and... flashing with lightning.
When Lodestar chis in my ear with the artificial voice that I have a picture ssage from her, I scramble to my feet rather embarrassingly. Slipping and hugging the chair near my desk to stop myself from falling.
The phone is poked at with too eager fingers. Only to find a picture... of a fish.
"...Why a fish?"
When I stop chuckling, I steady myself and try to hide my smile with my hand. But the mic won’t pick up as well if I do.
"Lodestar, reply: It looks tasty."
When the Lunar Goddess crossed our paths - and when my mate imdiately fought against it... I honestly thought that blessings do sotis co with downsides. That nothing worth having is worth refusing to fight for.
C: [It was.]
And yet... what I learned changed nothing about what I really felt. Nothing about what I wanted. Citra and her child would be safe in my territory. Under my protection.
Whether she ever accepted a marking or not, I would ensure that. And if the Duskpaw, their Alpha, her forr mate, or anyone else tried to interfere...
"Lodestar, reply: That’s a beautiful pike. Do you-"
They’d learn exactly... what [better hands] really ant.
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