Chapter 76
1 paced outside Sapphire’s office, my hands clenching and unclenching as I tried to keep my cool. Her assistant had informed me she was in a meeting, but my patience was wearing thin. I needed to see her, to explain everything. The pack needed me back, and Benita was inching too close for comfort, but none of that mattered until I told Sapphire.
I didn’t want her finding out from somewhere else, the last thing I wanted her to do was doubt my intentions for coming here in the first place Every few minutes, I glanced at my watch, the time ticking closer to my flight. I hated that I’d waited so long to tell her I was leaving, but I’d barely had a moment to think. The call from Marcel had come out of nowhere, and I’d been scrambling to get everything in place since. She’d understand. I tried to assure myself. This was to keep her safe, to keep Charlie safe. But with Benita’s latest moves. I needed to face this threat head–on. Still, I hated that I’d be leaving her like this.
Leah and I spoke at length about it and we both agreed it was better I told her. Because it would look like I slept with her and took off. If I wanted ____ show her that I meant everything I stayed then I owed her an explanation for this.
Especially if Benita was working with the rogues, I needed to deal with that immediately then come back here. I only wished I could see Charlie ane more time and assure him that I wasn’t leaving him
Just then, the office door opened, and a man stepped out. The assistant nodded to me, and I took a deep breath before heading in. Sapphire was at her desk, scribbling notes, but she looked up when I entered, her eyes widening with surprise. She didn’t stand, though. She stayed seated, her expression guarded.
“Can I sir?” I asked, hesitating near the door.
She nodded, gesturing to the chair across from her. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her tone flat.
I sighed, sinking into the chair. “L. I needed to see you before I left.” The words came out quieter than I’d intended, weighed down by everything I hadn’t yet told her.
She arched an eyebrow, leaning back in her chair. “Leaving!”
“Yeah,” I said, rubbing my hands together. “When I came here, it was to make things right with you. To to try in cam your forgiveness.” [swallowed, searching her face for any sign of warmth. “But then. I found out about Charlic, and everything changed. My mission became more than just an apology. It became about building something. About being there for him, for you”
Her brows knitted together, confusion flickering across her face. “So, you’re leaving now?”
I nodded, steeling myself. “Yes but not for the remon you think. There’s an emergency back at the pack that I need to handle. Some of the rogues found out I wasn’t there and took it as an opportunity to strike. I can’t stay here knowing that my pack is in danger. Marcel handled it but things have spiraled out of control and he needs me,”
I braced myself for anger, maybe even accusations of sbandarument, but she just nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on the edge of her desk.
“I understand.” she said finally. Her tone was even, unbothered. “Il pass the message to Charlie.”
The simplicity of her response stung more than I’d anticipated. thad hoped for well, more. Something that would make leaving feel as hard for her as it did for me. I shifted in my seat. “Do you do you think I’m wrong for going? asked, surprised by my own question.
She tilted her head, a faint amile tugging at her lips. “Do you feel bad about leaving she countered.
I nodded. “I hate it. I’ve barely even gotten to know him, and now I’m walking away.” The kords felt heavy, but it was the truth. Every day I spent with Charlie made it harder to imagine leaving. “But as an Alpha, I have responsibilities. If I don’t go, others could get hurt. It’s what I signed up for, long before I ever knew he existed.”
She watched me closely, her face betraying nothing. “Well,” she said after a pause. “Then I guess there’s your answer. You know what you have to do.”
A wave of relief washed over me. Her calm acceptance didn’t make leaving easier, but it softened the guilt clawing at me. “I am truly sorry,
Sapphire.”
“I didn’t say that to make you feel bad. I know you have responsibilities to your pack. I also know Marcel wouldn’t have called you if it wasn’t so important so no need to apologize. Charlie is a big boy and would understand when I explain to him,”
More relet
“I wanted to ask if, if it’d be alright for me to call him. Check in now and then, you know?” My voice was hesitant, unsure if I was asking too much.
Her face softened slightly, and she gave a small god. “Yes, you can call him. He’d love that, I’m sure.”
“Thank you” I murmured, a surge of gratitude welling up in my chest. “It means a lot.”
Her gaze shifted, and I could see sanething flicker in her eyes, maybe a bit of the wannih I’d been searching for. But then it faded, replaced by something colder. “You should know something.” I said, my voice dropping lower as I met her eyes. “Benita knows where you are”
She paled her face tighurring in surprise, but to my aback, alar recovered quickly. She took a deep breath, her expression hardening with a hint of defiance Tsuppose it was bound to happen sooner or later,” she said, her voice steady “Maybe it’s overdur.”
The courage in her voice gave me pause. “So you’re – you’re not going to run?”
She let out a small, dry laugh. “No, I’m not running. Not this time. I’ve spent years trying to avoid her to keep Charlie safe. But maybe it’s time to arop hiding. It was six years ago and I have done my beu to follow her rules. She has nothing over me now and if she dares to come after my son
Chapter 76
then she should know I will not be letting it slide.”
My chest tightened at her words. There was a fire in her that I hadn’t seen before, a fierceness that made me realize just how strong she’d become in my absence, I didn’t know whether to feel relieved or even more worried, “Just please, be careful Don’t hesitate to call me if anything happens. Even if it’s small. Ill drop everything.”
She gave a slight und, her expression softening, if only a line. “Ill keep that in mind.” she said quietly.
A silence fell between us, thick with things left unsaid. I wanted to reach out, to touch her hand, to say something that would make this goodbye less final. But I couldn’t bring myself to cross that line.
After a moment, she spoke again, her voice softer. “I think you’re doing the right thing, you know,” she said, almost as if reassuring herself as much as me. “Charlie will understand. One day.”
I swallowed, nodding. “I hope so. He deserves better than me coming and going.”
A ghost of a smile crossed her lips. “Just make sure that when you do come back, it’s for good.”
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “I will. I promise.”
With a final nod, I stood up, feeling the weight of the moment settle over me. As I moved to the door, I glanced back at her, memorizing the way she looked strong, steady, a hint of sadness in her eyes that mirrored my own
“Goodbye, Sapphire,” I murmured.
“Goodbye, Aragon,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
I walked out, the door closing softly behind me. My heart felt heng but the one emotion that stood out more was the anger I was feeling in my heart. It threatened to blind me knowing that if I set eyes on any rogue, I would tear its throat apart.
I hated leaving and more so, 1 hated that she was okay with me leaving I wanted her to be more upset about it, I wanted her to feel something for me but she was so solid with her feelings.
Admirable but hurtful.
I stepped outside of the building just to meet with Leah’s gaze. She shook her head with a knowing smile,
“All good”
“All good,” I forced myself to answer.
She hugged me, “Be careful, and take care of Marcel for me,”
“I could say the same to you. Take care of her while you are still here. Benita has found her location and who knows, this rogue thing might be decoy to lure me out of here so they could attack her.
“Don’t worry, she is safe with me and she is not a princess anymore. She can defend herself,”
1 sighed, I chose to believe that because it looked like she really did learn how to defend herself
