His smile slowly melted into a serious expression and he swallowed hard. “I can figure something out … maybe Cassara could give me heirs but I wouldn’t have to marry her … I can look into the law—”
I reached out and placed a finger on his lips. “Cassara likes you. She will be loyal to you and you need to do the same. I won’t be a side piece, Luka, and I need you to become king.”
It was the most painful thing I’d ever said.
He looked terrified. “What are you saying?”
I swallowed hard. “This will never happen again.” I gestured between us.
“No!” he growled, stepping closer to me as the water washed over him. “I’ve never wanted anything more than I want you.”
I nodded, tears lining my eyes. “I believe that. But Walsh, and my mom, and everyone is depending on you.” I pointed between us. “Whatever this is cannot be more important than the dozens of lives we would ruin.”
Defeat marred his features. “Aspen, don’t just say no. Think about it. Let’s—”
“If you respect me, you will let me go and be with someone who can give me all of themselves and not hide me away in some country house,” I told him.
Physical pain tore through our bond. He staggered backward, his back hitting the wall as if I’d physically repelled him. “You’re right.” His voice was monotone. “You deserve better.”
It felt like déjà vu. Hadn’t I just had a similar conversation with Sterling a few weeks ago? Yet here I was with another man who couldn’t commit to me. Even if it wasn’t his fault.
There was nothing more to say, so I spun from him, buttoned my shorts, and walked out of the shower soaking wet.
This grief might just be too much for me to bear.
Chapter Seven
The next fewdays I sulked around the guest house with Sage, Demi, and Liv. I’d told them what had transpired between Luka and I and they were all heartbroken for my situation, but understood Luka becoming king was the highest priority.
“I had to play the game in order to get Sawyer. The stupid bylaws and rules these old werewolves and vampires put into place are ridiculous,” Demi told me, which made me feel a little better. It was a whole new culture and I was just going to have to let his life with Cassara play out. If they had a family together, I wouldn’t break that up. I needed to move on. But the shower played out in my mind all day long for days on end.
I pushed it aside, and made sure that when Luka came over for feedings the girls were present and he drank from my wrist. Because of the complicated feelings between us, it didn’t feel nearly as good as it normally did.
Today Liv had accompanied him to an event posing as a feeder even though he’d secretly fed from me before. Now I was sitting around with Demi and Sage planning our eventual attack on the breeder encampment, waiting for Liv to come back.
“Where will they go when we free them?” I suddenly asked, wondering where my mother and probably sister would live. They might be able to live in Spokane, but other hunter factions would probably go after them for being part fey if they found out. Were all the hunter factions part fey? They had to be in order to have the strength and speed and other abilities, right? I had more questions than I had answers.
My mind chewed on this while Demi spoke: “They would be welcomed in Wolf City. Many of the supernatural races live there.”
Relief washed over me at that. “Thank you.”
The door opened and Liv stepped inside.
“How’d it go?” I asked, jumping up from my spot on the carpet.
Liv’s eyes were wide. “Luka is amaniacfighter. He won.”
We all sighed with relief. I guess pent-up rage and a stint in prison had its benefits.
Because two of the vampires had abdicated the throne, the entire timeline had been moved up. Luka’s final fight would be in a few days, and then the victor would be announced. “Who is the final fight between? Who is left?” I asked eagerly.
Liv swallowed hard. “Morgana.”
I visibly winced, my body flinching. Morgana was a wild card. She was powerful and just psycho enough to do something crazy.
“He’ll win,” Demi assured us.
Liv chewed her lip nervously as if something else were on her mind.
