"Henry—"
"I've never been good at this," I continued, the words pouring out now, unstoppable. "At feelings. At vulnerability. I can calculate risk. I can predict market trends. I can build buildings and companies from nothing. But I can't—" My voice broke. "I can't make someone love me. I can't logic my way into your heart. So I gave you money. Because that's what I know how to do."
Presley’s hands twisted the cord of the dressing gown in her lap.
"But it was wrong," I said. "It made you feel like a transaction when you're—you're everything."
I stood, crossing to where she sat. I dropped to my knees in front of her, my hands finding hers.
"I'm sorry, Presley. I'm sorry I kept paying you. I'm sorry I made you doubt us. I'm sorry I—"
"Claimed her alone," Etienne finished, his voice hard.
I turned to look at him. He stood by the fireplace, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
"Yes." I swallowed. "Etienne, I'm sorry. I should have waited. I should have discussed it with you and Fritz. The pack was supposed to claim her together, and I—"
"You took what you wanted without asking," Etienne said.
"I did."
"You betrayed the pack."
"I did."
Etienne's jaw worked. Then he moved, crossing the room to stand beside me. "You're a selfish bastard, Henry."
"I know."
"You owe me. And Fritz."
"I know."
"Good." Etienne's hand landed on my shoulder, heavy and grounding. "Because we're not letting you forget it. Ever."
Despite everything, I felt my lips twitch. "Understood."
I turned back to Presley, cupping her face in my hands. "I'm sorry I claimed you without them. It wasn't just my decision to make. It was the pack's."
"It was my fault," she whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "I wanted you to. I tilted my head back and I—"
"I know." I brushed my thumb across her cheek, catching a tear before it could fall. "And I wanted it too. God, Presley, I wanted it so badly I couldn't think straight. But we're a pack, Presley. Including you. We should have all discussed it together. I shouldn't have taken you as mine without their permission, or yours. I should never have claimed you without them taking you too."
"I'm sorry," she said again.
"Don't." Fritz moved from the door, sitting on the arm of the sofa beside her. "Don't apologize for wanting to be claimed, Liebling."
"But I hurt you both. I hurt Etienne—"
"You didn't hurt me," Fritz said gently. "You know what I felt when I realized Hastings had claimed you?"
She shook her head.
"Relief." Fritz smiled. "Because I saw our claiming of you differently than Hastings and Etienne did. I saw that you were our pack's scent match. That you're biologically compatible in a way that's rarer than diamonds. Do you remember when you walked into Hastings' office that first day?"
Presley nodded.
"My nose crinkled," Fritz said. "Do you remember that?"
