“I know,” I admit faster than intended. “I handled things wrong before, and I probably am again, but I won’t let another pack take you or your daughter.”
That fierce, protective nature she has over her child glares back at me. “You might’ve helped us back there, but don’tmisconstrue any of this. Astrid is mine. My responsibility, and the only thing I have. You don’t get to claim her, too.”
For a moment, that maternal wrath of hers knocks the air right from my lungs, and I can only stare at her. Because she’s right. I have no right, and despite not asking for it, something primal still stirs in me anyway. It all leaves me furious and aching on the inside.
“I’m not trying to take her away from you, and I don’t want to control you. I’m trying to keep you both alive.”
Still, Lila shakes her head and pushes past me. “It doesn’t matter. I won’t tie myself to you.”
As she heads back over to Astrid, her refusal sinks into my skin, and something old and instinctive inside me tears apart.
I stand there for a long moment, only realizing I’ve been clenching my fists once I loosen my grip again. My chest aches like it’s too tight, and I’m angry… so damn angry at myself for how careless I had been before, and for how much I care after the fact.
This was supposed to be simple, tactical, even, but it’s far from it.
Eventually, I make my way back outside to get some air and to keep myself under control. Within minutes, I catch several footsteps coming out to join me.
“You good?” Luke asks, with a lighter tone than usual. I already know he’s gauging my current state.
“No,” I admit, irritated about even saying it. “Not even close.”
“Did she tear you a new one?” Dominic muses while dropping himself into one of the deck chairs behind me.
“Something like that.”
“She has a backbone. Good for her.”
I throw a glare over my shoulder at Dominic, but he doesn’t budge. Instead, his lips shift into a subtle grin.
“So what’s the plan then? Hayes and his asshole pack aren’t going to drop this, if we know anything about him,” Luke says, well aware of the rumors we’ve all been hearing since we were young about the northern-most pack.
“I’m keeping them both here until I figure out what they want with the girl.”
“And I’m assuming all of this actually has something to do with that bond shit you never want to talk about,” Dominic pushes slightly, needling like he usually does.
I don’t answer, and I don’t need to.
I catch the smirk through his tone. “Thought so.”
Not in the mood, I mutter, “Drop it.”
Luke steps in beside me, leaning his forearms against the railing. “Look… whatever happens with her, you know we’ll help however we can. Just don’t let it scramble your brain while lives are on the line.”
Before I can respond, Astrid’s bright, innocent laugh carries outside through the parted window, followed by a gentle murmur from Lila. There’s something so gentle about it that both warms me and feels like a knife to the chest.
“I won’t let anything happen to them,” I say quietly.
Despite being so used to strategy and tactics, this is far from it. It’s a vow to myself, and one that feels so solid that I’ll never be able to ignore it.
Luke and Dominic are silent until the former nods.
“Good. Either way, they’re yours to protect now.”
I don’t even attempt to correct him. Deep down, something in me has already accepted it.
Even if Lily never does.
Chapter 7 - Lila
