MasukElla.Jason's face went white. Actually white, like all the blood drained from his head in an instant. "I can't tell Brynn. She'll leave me. She already feels threatened by the triad bond. If she finds out I kissed Ella, even if it was one-sided...""She deserves the truth," I said firmly. "Secrets destroy relationships faster than painful truths. Tell her, or we will.""Please." Jason's voice cracked. "Please, give me time to figure out how to tell her. Don't blindside her with this.""You should have thought about that before you kissed Ella," Kyle said coldly."I know. I know I should have. But Brynn... she's already struggling with the bond situation. This will destroy her.""Then you should have considered that before acting," Marcus spoke up from his position. "You put your momentary feelings above your relationship. Now you deal with the consequences."Jason looked between the three of us, desperate. "I'm not asking for forgiveness. I'm asking for time. Let me find the right wa
Ella.The summons went out Tuesday morning.Jason would arrive at the Alpha mansion Friday at noon for a formal meeting. No negotiations. No excuses. The elders had made it clear that immediate action was required to stabilize the bond, and that meant confronting the problem head-on.I spent the week in a state of constant anxiety. Every time my phone buzzed, I expected bad news. Every time Kyle left the room, I worried he'd changed his mind about working through this together.But he stayed. He held me when nightmares woke me at three in the morning. He sat with me during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He reminded me that we were stronger than any supernatural bond trying to tear us apart.Wednesday brought a call from Elder Katrina. She wanted to check in, make sure we were preparing properly for Friday's confrontation."Have you discussed what you need from Jason?" she asked. "What accountability looks like for both of you?""We're working on it," I told her. "Kyle has some requirem
Kyle."Alpha Jason didn't mention that part," Liam said quietly. "He told us there was a misunderstanding during a bond maintenance session.""A misunderstanding," I repeated, fighting to keep my voice level. "Is that what you call assault?""Perhaps Luna Ella should explain what happened," Elder Katrina suggested gently. "From the beginning."Ella took a deep breath and stood. She told them everything. About Jason's confession of feelings weeks ago, his claim that the bond made him love her, how she'd tried to maintain boundaries. She described the unwanted kiss in detail, the way she'd pushed him away, the fear in her chest when she realized what was happening. She explained my violent reaction, how I'd shifted and attacked before conscious thought could stop me.Her voice stayed steady throughout, though I could see her hands shaking slightly.When she finished, silence filled the room.The female Silver Fang elder spoke first. "Did Alpha Jason give any indication these feelings w
Kyle.I woke Sunday morning to find Ella sitting at the foot of my bed in Marcus's guest room, watching me sleep."How long have you been here?" I asked, my voice rough."Twenty minutes. Marcus let me in." She twisted her hands in her lap. "I know you said you needed space, but I can't do this, Kyle. I can't spend another night wondering if you still love me."I sat up, rubbing my face. "I never stopped loving you.""Then come home. Please. Come home and let's fix this together instead of apart."My wolf stirred, agreeing with her. We'd spent the entire night pacing and restless, wanting our mate close even while our pride kept us away."Okay," I said finally. "Let me get dressed."Ella's face lit up with relief so pure it made my chest ache. "Really?""Really. You're right. We need to face this together."Twenty minutes later, we were back at the Alpha mansion. The house felt different somehow, like something had shifted in the foundation. Or maybe that was just me.We sat in the liv
Kyle."Because I'm stronger than that. Because I know the difference between supernatural influence and real feelings. And because I love you more than anything in this world," Ella said."You say that now. But what about in six months? A year? What happens when the bond keeps growing stronger and you start feeling those things again?""That won't happen.""You can't promise that. Neither of us can. We don't know how this bond works or what it might do to any of us."Ella moved closer, trying to take my hand again. I let her this time, too tired to pull away."Kyle, I understand you're scared. I'm scared too. What happened today terrified me. But we can't let fear destroy what we have.""I'm not trying to destroy anything. I'm trying to protect what's mine.""I'm not a possession to be protected. I'm your mate. Your partner. Your equal.""I know that." Frustration bled into my voice. "But watching another man kiss you triggered every possessive instinct I have. My wolf wants him dead,
Kyle.The whiskey burned going down but did nothing to erase the image seared into my brain.I'd been sitting in Marcus's guest room for three hours now, staring at the same spot on the wall, replaying those seconds over and over. Jason's hand on Ella's cheek. His lips pressing against hers. The look on her face when she realized I was watching.My wolf prowled beneath my skin, demanding we go back and finish what we started. Demanding Jason's blood, his death, his complete and total destruction for daring to touch what was ours.But Ella's voice kept echoing in my head. "He kissed me without consent. That's assault, not betrayal."She was right. I knew she was right. I'd seen her push him away. Seen her anger and fear. She was the victim here, not the villain.So why couldn't I stop feeling like something had been stolen from me?"Kyle?" Marcus's voice came through the door. "Ella's here."My heart lurched. "Tell her I'm not ready.""She's not leaving until you talk to her. Been sitt







