“You took everything from them,” I say bitterly. “You betrayed their trust.”
“I know,” he says, bowing his head in shame. “I had to do something. Our pack was suffering, and I couldn’t just sit back and let it happen.”
I can see the desperation in his eyes, and all my anger dissipates into worry for him and our pack.
“How much do we owe?” I ask, trying to sound calm.
“Enough that if we didn’t pay it back, we’d lose everything. Alpha Dane helped cover up the initial amount.”
“We’ll figure something out. We’ll come up with a plan to get the money back, then come clean, Dad. Zayn is on the council, Greyson; they’ll back us.” I tell him, he shakes his head. “Zayn definitely won’t if he finds out.”
“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.
“I kept getting extensions. Eventually, they caught onto the fact that the city hadn’t paid in years. I had no choice at the time, Cleo, and I would have lost our pack’s place on the council. I can’t ask Greyson for help, the…”
“Is your pride worth more than asking for help?” I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks.
“Pride is all we have left. Without this alliance, the pack faces bankruptcy and will be dismantled. It is already past thatpoint. The only thing ensuring the pack remains in our family is with you marrying Boyd.” He steps forward, crowding my space, his authority enveloping me.
“Boyd will bring stability, resources…” He studies me as if seeing me for the first time. “And perhaps, in time, you may be happy with him.”
“Happy?” The laugh that escapes me is hollow, mocking. “And what of my mate when I find them? Can’t you see how wrong this is?”
“Right or wrong, it’s necessary.” He turns away, his shoulders sagging. “It’s the price of peace, the cost of safeguarding our people and ensuring we don’t lose our pack and way of life.”
“Even if it means sacrificing your daughter’s happiness?” I whisper the enormity of the situation pressing down on me like a physical force.
“Especially then.” His voice is barely audible, and when he looks back at me, there’s a sheen of unshed tears in his eyes. “Because that’s what leaders and Alphas do. We bear the burdens so others don’t have to.”
I want to rage against him, to fight and claw for my chance at happiness. As I stand here, watching the man who raised me, who’s battling demons I’m only just beginning to comprehend, my spirit falters.
“If it’s money, there are other ways. What else has he got over you?”
“Besides that, something that will send me to prison for the rest of my life. Is that what you want, Cleo?” he asks.
I swallow. “What?”
He looks away. “There is a reason Zayn was forced to kill his father. Misguided, but I am that reason. I had no choice; this is why I wanted you away from Zayn. If he knew, he wouldkill you as revenge. I thought he figured it out when he started showing interest in you; I thought maybe Dane let it slip.”
“Let what slip?”
“It doesn’t matter right now. I just need you to do this until I find another way or find something to blackmail Dane back with.”
Images of Zayn flash before my eyes, igniting a painful yearning deep within my chest. Was it all a lie?
“Listen to me, Cleo.” My father’s voice cracks with urgency. “Dane is offering a way out, a chance to stop a war between packs. He’s giving us a lifeline, one we can’t refuse right now.”
“Lifeline?” I scoff, anger flaring. “Or a leash for him to control us both?”
“Control is better than destruction and the dismantling of our pack. If we refuse, Dane will expose everything.” His gaze hardens. “Our pack will be torn apart. We’ll lose everything.”
The weight of it all crushes me. “So we bow to him? Let him dictate who I share my bed with? Who marks me?”
“It’s not just about us!” Father’s voice thunders through the room. “Think of the pack—our people’s lives and homes at stake.”
“Is there no other way?” I plead with him; this can’t be the only option, surely.
“None that doesn’t lead to war or worse.” He steps closer, his presence commanding even now.“Sometimes duty must come before desire.” He reaches out to cup my face, a gesture so tender it unravels me. “You have to do what’s necessary.”
