My jaw dropped. “What?”
“There are only two ways forward. Option one: You pursue the mate bond and surrender your sword. You will be formally released from your oath.”
I swallowed hard. “What’s option two?”
“You formally reject your mate and return to the enclave. You wouldn’t be able to remain on the mission to his pack lands, but your status with the sisterhood would remain intact.”
“I would have to leave the pack when they need me the most? Brielle’s powers have grown exponentially, and the stone is whole and active.”
“I’m aware. Your partner has been giving diligent and thorough reports.”
Another reprimand. I let my eyes fall closed, wishing I could scream. It was just too much, too fast, all at once. Fur sprouted along the backs of my fingers, and I clenched my fist. I had to calm down, or I would shift right here in the living room.
“How long do I have to decide?” I asked.
“Technically, there is no time limit. But once the marks appear, you can no longer bear your sword nor fulfill your oath. If you think there is any chance of rejecting the bond, you need to leave right away.”
“Thank you, head priestess.”
“Be blessed, Maiden.”
She hung up the phone, and I dropped it back on the table next to the charger.
I had a choice to make, but I had no idea how to make it.
Chapter 10
Valens
“You did what?” I bellowed at my sister, her hunched shoulders and downcast gaze telling me everything.
“I’m sorry, I didn’tmeanto. It’s just?—”
“Savannah, you’re not a child anymore! You can’t just go around talking shit about things that arenone of your business!You’re nearly thirty.”
“Youaremy business!” She was so exasperated, she threw her hands up in the air. “And if she causes problems for you, she causes problems for me. That’s how this works. We’re family!”
“The only one causing problems for me right now isyou. I asked you to stay out of it. I thought I could confide in you. Clearly, I was wrong.”
Savvy paled, taking a step toward me, but I shied back.
“V! Don’t be like that. Sheshould knowhow you feel, how she’s hurting you, and if you won’t stand up for yourself…”
“No. You don’t get to decide that. I specifically decided not to push her because I wanted her towantto be in the relationship. On her terms. You trying to guilt her into something before she’s ready is the opposite of helpful.”
My fury was too much for our little house to contain, so I grabbed my jacket and stormed out the door. If I stayed withmy sister and listened to her keep trying to justify ignoring my wishes, I’d be too tempted to wring her damn neck.
And I loved her, overstepping and all, so I couldn’t do that.
I didn’t know where I was going until I stopped outside Elodie’s door. It was a risk, going to see her after what Savannah had pulled this morning, but if nothing else, I needed to apologize for my overprotective sister.
Three quick raps on the door, and I took a step back. I was a big man, and people often found it intimidating when they opened the door and I was filling the whole frame.
Elodie didn’t open the door; her hard-ass partner, Galyna, did.
“You,” she said with a low growl. After a quick glance over her shoulder at the interior of the little guest cottage, she stepped onto the patio with me, quietly shutting the door behind her. “What the fuck do you want?”
I tried not to bristle, but it was hard not to, given how aggressive she was being. My wolf found it disrespectful and saw Galyna’s alpha wolf as a challenge to my own. Probably because her partner claim on our mate was a conflict.
