Bad Love: An Alpha's Regret (Leah and Aaron)

Chapter

113

"I've been thinking about your father's motives for severing your wolf," Aaron tells mé.

We're on horses, riding out on the back stretch of his property.

There are miles of fields and endless trails through the

backcountry.

I wanted to go back to Pack Roberts this morning.

Aaron convinced me to go for a ride before he dr ove me back.

I was too tired to argue.

So I drank a big glass of orange juice. Ate the omelet chef made for me and mounted up on this docile mare named Daisy. I've ridden her a few times in the past, although rides for 'fun' weren't common. I'd occasionally get tasked to run the fenceline or do a perimeter patrol, but more often than not, I was left inside the mansion to read or study or research

investment opportunities.

"Okay," I say. "I'll bite. Why did my dad do it?"

"Because of me."

I chew on that for a second. It tracks. "Because as a wolf,

you could mate me fully. It would solidify your claim to Pack Roberts."

"Yes." He rubs his chest. "Your father destroyed any possibility

of you connecting with your mate."

He looks murderous.

His stallion is a good three hands taller than my mare. Aaron pulls back on his reins so my horse can keep pace. He looks straight ahead rather than at me when he adds: "And I think your dad did it because of the children we would have."

I gasp.

He glances at me sharply. "Our kids would be the true heirs to both packs. They'd embody the peace that you and I began."

"And my dad never wanted that."

"No. All evidence points to the contrary."

"So why bother making me his successor?"

Aaron draws his horse to a halt. He leans forward to rub the stallion's neck. "Guilt? A last f**k-you to me, maybe? Your father never thought our relationship was good or real-" "It wasn't."

He growls.

My horse sidesteps, and I pat her flank to calm her.

"It was the only way to get you away from me, Leah, and still

preserve the peace."

Maybe. But I'm not so sure. He could've, you know, talked to

me. My father could have taken the time to ask what I wanted or needed. He could've spared me the horror of hearing him

commit suicide.

So much time and energy and pain. And it's all for naught.

Aaron is still as powerful as ever.

The Council won't allow me to continue to rule.

I'm dying and will have no freedom or peace.

And we will forever be bound to Pack Rathborne...because I'm

having Aaron's baby.

"Stay here, Leah."

"You know I can't."

"You don't have to physically be on Roberts lands to affect changes. I'm handling Pack Leithrow remotely. You can do the same."

"It's not the same. And it's not how I want people to remember me, as a frail Alpha who spent her time hiding."

"Remember you? You going somewhere?"

I blanch.

I'm not good at lying and I'm carrying too many falsehoods to keep them straight. "Let's head back, Aaron. There's a lot to do and not as much time as we think."