"He's ready." Rivik's jaw tightened slightly. "He'll be a better alpha than I was."
"That's not true, but he’ll be a damn good one."
"He will." He looked away, his gaze drifting toward the trees. "I thought I could do it. Thought I could let her go and lead the pack the way they needed. But I was wrong."
I waited, letting the silence stretch.
"I was dying," he said finally, his voice low and raw. "Every day she was there, every moment I had to watch her choose you, it was killing me. And when she left…" He stopped, his hands curling into fists. "I thought distance would help. Thought the bond would fade, or I'd learn to live with it. But it didn't fade. It got worse."
"So you gave up the pack," I said quietly.
"I gave them a whole leader." He looked back at me, his eyes fierce. "They deserve better than a broken alpha who can't focus because half his soul is walking away from him."
"Does she know?" I asked. "About the fated bond?"
"No." His voice was firm. "You told me how that… how he rejected her, how he hurt her. I don’t want to scare her off, or let her think I’m here just because of that. I am, but I’m here because… because…”
“Because you love her,” I said gently.
His eyes locked onto mine, flashing amber. “How can I… I barely know her. But I want to know her, Daska. Like you do. And I'm not going to tell her. Not yet. Not until…" He stopped,shook his head. "Not until I've earned the right to ask for anything from her."
I understood what he meant. The bond had chosen for him, but that didn't mean Ellie would choose him back. Not after everything she'd been through with Nathan. Not after being rejected by someone who was supposed to love her.
"You're going to have to be patient," I said.
"I know."
"And I'm not giving her up." The words came out harder than I intended, protective instinct flaring hot in my chest. "Whatever happens between you two, whatever the bond wants, she's my mate. That doesn't change."
"I would never ask you to." Rivik stepped closer, his expression earnest. "I'm not here to take her from you, Daska. I'm here because I can't stay away. Because the thought of her out here, facing whatever dangers lie ahead without me there to protect her…" He stopped. "I couldn't do it. I couldn't just let her go. I'm asking to stand beside you. Both of us. Together."
Through the bond, I felt Ellie's anxiety spike. She was worried about what we were discussing, worried that somehow this would end with one of us walking away. I pushed reassurance back through the connection, trying to ease her fear.
"She loves you," Rivik said quietly. "I can see it. Feel it through the bond, even though it's not fully formed between us. She chose you, and I respect that."
"But you want her too."
"Yes." He didn't flinch from the admission. "I want the chance to earn her trust. Her friendship. And if someday she might want more..." He trailed off, leaving the possibility hanging.
I smiled. “That’s all I needed to hear.”
Rivik looked up at me, relief and surprise spreading across his face.
“You don’t mind?”
“Brother, I’m elated. All I ever wanted was to be part of a family with you both, ever since I knew we shared the same bond. I just, I need to protect her, you know. Even if that means protecting her from you. Because it’s still her choice. You don't push her. You don't demand anything. You earn her trust back one day at a time, and if she tells you to leave..."
"I'll go."
"Good." I gripped his forearm, the old gesture of brotherhood and alliance, and after a moment he returned it, his hand strong and steady against mine.
"Thank you," he said roughly.
"Don't thank me yet." I released his arm and stepped back. "Nathan's going to be a problem. He doesn't trust you, and he's not going to be happy about this."
"I can handle Nathan."
"Without violence."
