“That is forbidden.”
“So how will I make him understand why I have to leave home for three days each month during the cycles of the moon? How will I answer his questions about where I go, what I’m doing, who I’m with?”
His brow furrowed. “I… see your point. Allow me a few moments to confer with your Alpha.”
The audio was muted. I peered over at my parents who had been awfully quiet during this exchange. Mom smiled and Dad gave a thumbs-up. I had no idea what that was all about, but it made me nervous.
Everythingabout this situation made me nervous.
The audio came back on. “Do you trust him?” Alpha John asked.
Did I? Would I trust anyone outside of the pack enough to risk all our lives? Inviting humans into the town had been a huge risk, but it needed to be done if we were to survive. I wouldn’t say I trusted any of them enough to admit what we were, however.
But Kip? The way I felt about him was totally different. He was a good guy, with his head on straight—no pun intended—and he was able to roll with the punches. I didn’t think this would affect him one way or another.
It didn’t mean my stomach didn’t clench at the thought.
“There is no human I trust more than Kip,” I said at last.
“Then as far as I am concerned, this is settled. You have my permission to explain to him what we are, but you are responsible if this doesn’t go well. And do keep in mind, if this goes badly, we will have no choice but to eliminate him to preserve our secret.”
He was openly admitting to me that they would kill Kip. My stomach knotted violently at the thought of seeing those pretty eyes cold and lifeless. I was dragging him into some awful crap for my own benefit, and all because Alpha Donnelly’s son disgusted me.
“I don’t know if I can—” I began.
“Then return to town with Jerome and prepare to be wed.”
I sucked in a deep breath. “Alphas, I would rather marry Jerome than put Kip in danger. He has been my best friend,my most stalwart companion, and someone I love deeply. I won’t have him hurt.”
This was one hell of a gamble.
The two men onscreen smiled. Alpha John addressed me. “That speaks volumes about your commitment to him. We trust in you, Mason. If you tell us your faith in Kip is that strong, then we will allow this to proceed.”
“So I can tell him what I am?”
“You may, yes.”
“And if he speaks out about it?” Except I already knew the answer to that. They would kill Kip to protect us all. I had to impress that on him when we spoke.
Alpha Donnelly spoke instead. “This meeting is adjourned. Jerome, return home. We’ll talk when you arrive.”
“Yes, Father.” His tone was sullen, his lips curled into a snarl. The screens went dark, and Jerome stalked to where I stood. “I don’t know how you did this, but I don’t believe it. Youwillbe mine, you can count on that.”
Then he turned and stormed out of the room. As soon as we were alone, my parents descended on me.
“Why didn’t you tell us about you and Kip? We wouldneverhave pushed Jerome on you if we’d known.”
“But the town….”
Dad sighed. “Honestly, that’s Alpha John’s problem. We’ll help him, of course, but not at the cost of your happiness.” He smiled. “Now, tell us all about how the two of you got together. We adore Kip and can’t see you in love with anyone else.”
Well, that’s just freaking great.
I was standing at the center of a storm of lies, and I was dragging everyone in with me.
I just hope when the storm is over we’ll all be able to stand one another.
Kip
