5/6
Chapter 79
We watched as help raced to help Harlow up but she brushed them off and yelled her lungs out. I had to give her credit, her ambition took her far. She should be proud but I doubted that was anything she wanted to hear.
Gareth basked in the glory of winning the battle. Imagined Kade up there receiving his crowning moment and then I realized the clock was ticking and I had to move.
“I’ll be right back,” I told Emery.
I saw Leiah first and assumed Kade would be with the other Alphas. He was. He reached me before I could get to him.
“Gabbie, we need to talk.”
“We do. Kade-
“Not here.” He looked over his shoulder and led me from the crowd.
“What did your Father want? He’d been gone all day.
“To express his disappointment in me but I expected that.”
L
The cheers from the student body grew faint. We turned into the Alpha castle territory.
“I’m sorry…
“Don’t be.” He stopped and looked over his shoulder again.
“I should be apologizing to you.” His brows dipped and I noticed the redness of Gabbie.”
“Kade.” I rubbed his arm. “What’s wrong?”
“Kaden!” A bark startled us.
Aiden Sanders stood on the castle door with his hands shoved in his pockets.
“Your time’s up.”
Kade clenched his jaw. “You don’t have to be here for this.”
“On the contrary, I want to make sure you make good on your end of the deal.”
“Deal?” I asked.
Kade focused on me. He grabbed my shoulders and rubbed.
“Listen to me, Gabbie. He cornered me and I had to make a deal to keep you safe.”
“What? What deal?” I demanded.
seyes. “I’m so sorry
1/4
If his Father was involved it couldn’t be good. If it was to keep me safe, he made a useless deal my Dad already made one, I told Kade this.
“I know Erik made a deal but I made a different one. He threatened to reveal your identity as a Hunter to the shifter world. Every wolf Erik Chambers ever came across would come after you.”
“So what did you do!” My heart slammed forward.
He cast his eyes to the ground and cursed.
“I agreed to let you go… I’d rather be apart than know you’re dead.”
“Kade” my I
blood turned cold. He’s breaking up with me? “You’re joking?”
“Hurry up, there’s a bus waiting for her. You won’t leave this castle until that bus is miles away,” Aiden said.
“I wish this was a joke,” Kade said softly.
Now I had nothing left. I fisted the cold emerald rock dangling around my neck.
“Keep it. You’ll always remember me.”
I sniffled battling a wave of tears. My soul shattered. Despite every blow I received at this school this was the one that broke me. There was so much I wanted to tell him. After all, we’ve been there. We had to hide our relationship. I couldn’t tell my best friend I couldn’t even say goodbye to Alex.
“You leave me in exchange you stay and become Alpha…” my voice cracked.
He nodded.
“Harlow’s going to be happy… have you already spoken to her?”
Kade’s brows dipped. “The stars could threaten to fall out of the sky and I’ll never get back together with her.”
Kade pulled me close and ran his nose down my check. I whimpered at the closeness. Maybe this wouldn’t be so hard. I wouldn’t have to see him every day. I wouldn’t be haunted by his face anymore. Though, the memories were like tattoos on my skin. When I was alone I wouldn’t be able to escape his touch. The nights would be longer. No man would measure up to Kaden Sanders. He wrecked me for everyone else.
“Baby, I need you to trust me,” he whispered.
Isniffled. “How can I?”
“Kaden! We haven’t got all night.
Kade stepped back and straightened his spine. What came next felt like ripping flesh and soul.
2/4
Chapter 79
I sniffled. I had
yet lost the battle with my tears.
“You’re right. Let me grab my bag.”
“A man is looking for you.”
It wasn’t Alex and it couldn’t be. Kade. Even thinking his name gave me heartache. I should have known better than getting together with a Sanders wolf. They’re nothing but trouble.
It had to be Dad. He came out of the shadows in true Dad fashion. There wasn’t anything for him to hunt our time here was up.
“You’ve got a bus to catch,” he said, crossing his arms,
I nodded. “You’re leaving too, huh? Will I ever see you again?”
“Of course you will sweetheart. I have a little cabin…”
In the woods, again…
It’s nothing fancy but I’d love to have you live with me, sweetheart. Living in the wild is a wonderful thing.” he chuckled.
“Thanks, Dad… but I have to forge my own path. I have to face life head–on.”
He nodded firmly. “Yeah, you might not like the outdoor plumbing anyway.”
He managed to draw a laugh from me and a tear fell.
“Dad. what type of deal did you make?”
He stepped closer. “The Alphas that make up the packs of this academy all have dark secrets. Aiden Sanders killed his brother to become Alpha. I have that over him and he can’t never touch you.”
Yet he blackmailed Kade anyway.
“I should go. You’ll stay in touch right?”
He smiled. “You couldn’t keep me away.
I gathered my things while the girls slept. I said goodbye to the omega quarters. I regretted not finding Alex but we had to separate once again. Emery and I walked shoulder to shoulder to the bus. The storm rumbling inside me was too strong for me to control. I caved and the waves of tears crashed me and I sobbed.
Emery draped her arm around my shoulder.
We’ll be alright.”
Somehow I had to find the strength to do this without my mate.