Bad Love an Alpha’s Regret by Elise Sinclair

Chapter 21

LEAH

Wolves don’t beg.

They don’t grovel or back down,

A pack’s value comes from its strength.

I tilt my chin up.

I may be on my knees, but it doesn’t make me weak.

My will is strong. So is my willingness to fix this mess I’ve made.

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If Aaron won’t be reasonable then I will rely on the mercy of this Council.

“Ma’am Karolina, are we not all wolves?” I say.

Her lips purse. It’s a not so subtle reminder that everyone here is a wolf-except me.

“Our numbers are low,” I press on. “Our strength is tied to our

unity as a species. There must be justice, yes, but also mercy

and understanding so that every member of every pack might thrive. So that we can prosper as a species.”

She inclines her head encouraging me to continue.

greater purpose and meaning. I’m dying. I can’t have children. I have

collective packs-1, Leah Roberts Rathborn

Council member Karolina tells

myself as tribute in place

my dead body!” Aaron

AARON

Leah gasps.

hell are you doing?” I

Council. “Alpha Aaron is a good man, and, of

But I stand by my vow. Please accept me as tribute in my father’s stead, and I beg you to show my father mercy.” Her gaze cuts to mine. “As

husband can attest, I sometimes make mistakes with

accounting.”

it

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chosen wisely. Acknowledging I’m her husband

aside whatever stupid ideas of divorce she may have been

dark and possessive washes

her

hearing her choose me.

to twist my hands in her hair and hold her

sink my teeth into her flesh and mark her

in this room-in this world-will

do such a thing.

more than a partner in name only.

obsession with my mother.

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that brings only hardship

suffering.