Chapter 245
Lynette's POV
I didn't sleep.
Couldn't.
I sat on the edge of my bed and watched the sky turn from black to gray to that pale pink that meant morning was coming.
My wolf was restless. Pacing inside my head. Growling at me.
If you leave now, you'll regret it forever.
I pressed my palms against my eyes. Tried to shut her out.
Didn't work.
She was right and I knew it.
I stood up. Walked to the mirror.
Looked at myself.
Silver-white hair. Amber eyes. The face I'd worn for twenty years before... before everything went to hell.
"You're pathetic," I told my reflection. "The first Alpha of the northern territories. Scared of a goddamn relationship."
My reflection didn't answer.
Smart.
I grabbed my phone. Stared at it for a full minute.
Then I dialed Drake's number.
He picked up on the second ring. "Lynette?"
"Tell your Alpha I need to talk to him."
Silence.
Then: "Are you sure?"
"Do I sound unsure?"
"No, ma'am." A pause. "I'll let him know."
I hung up.
My hands were shaking.
Fuck.
I grabbed my jacket. Headed for the door.
Elara was in the hallway. Eyes red. She looked like she'd been crying all night.
"Sister—"
"Not now." I brushed past her.
She didn't try to stop me.
Good.
I made it outside. The cold air hit my face and I sucked in a breath.
My wolf surged forward. Stronger now. More present.
Finally.
I started walking. Fast. My boots crunched on the gravel.
My shoulder throbbed with each step. The wound from last night was healing—Alpha blood did that—but it was still tender. Still a reminder of how close we'd come to losing everything.
I ignored it.
The Harrington estate was on the other side of town. Maybe three miles.
I could run it.
Should run it.
But my legs felt like lead.
Not from weakness. From fear.
I was halfway there when I saw Drake's car coming down the road.
He pulled up next to me. Rolled down the window.
"Lynette." His face was carefully neutral. "I was coming to find you."
"Why?"
He hesitated.
That hesitation made my stomach drop.
"Drake. Why were you coming to find me?"
He got out of the car. Stood in front of me.
"Alpha asked me to arrange an escort. To take you safely out of the territory."
My heart stopped.
"When."
"This afternoon." Drake's jaw was tight. "He said... he won't force you to stay."
The world tilted.
I grabbed the car door. Steadied myself.
"He's letting me go."
"Yes."
"Today."
"Yes."
I started laughing.
Couldn't help it.
Drake looked alarmed. "Lynette—"
"I'm fine." I wiped my eyes. "I'm fucking fine. Where is he?"
"His office. But—"
I was already moving.
Drake called after me but I didn't stop.
My wolf was snarling now. Furious.
He's giving up on us.
No.
He wasn't giving up.
He was letting go.
There was a difference.
And somehow that made it worse.
I reached the Harrington estate in ten minutes. Burst through the front doors.
The staff jumped. Stared at me.
I ignored them.
Headed straight for Kael's office.
The door was closed.
I could hear voices inside.
Victoria's voice. "You're really going to let her leave? Your wolf will go insane."
"I've been insane long enough." Kael's voice was rough. Exhausted. "I can't keep her here like a prisoner."
"But she clearly feels—"
"She's terrified, Mother." He cut her off. "I won't make her choose me out of fear."
My hand was on the doorknob.
I pushed it open.
Both of them turned.
Kael's eyes went wide. "Lynette—"
"Cancel the escort."
He stood up. Slowly. "What?"
"You heard me. Cancel it."
Victoria's eyebrows shot up. She looked between us. Then she smiled.
Kael's face was carefully blank. "We agreed—"
"We didn't agree to anything." I walked into the room. Shut the door behind me. "You've been making all the decisions. Waiting. Backing off. Giving me space."
"Because you needed—"
"Now it's my turn."
He went still.
I could feel my pulse in my throat. Pounding. Fast.
"You were right," I said. "I've been running. But not from you."
Kael took a step forward. Stopped. "Then what?"
"I've seen too many people get destroyed by bonds they didn't choose. Controlled. Betrayed. Used." My voice cracked. "So when I realized I was falling for you and I couldn't stop it, my first instinct was to run."
"And now?"
I met his eyes.
Those amber eyes that had haunted me for weeks.
"Now I know the real fear isn't losing my freedom." I swallowed hard. "It's losing you."
The air between us went electric.
Kael closed the distance in two strides. His hands landed on my shoulders.
A sharp sting shot through my left shoulder where the wound was still healing. I didn't flinch.
"Lynette." His voice was rough. Desperate. "I need you to be sure. Not because of guilt. Not because of instinct. You. As Lynette Grey. Choosing me."
My wolf was howling.
I reached up. Touched his face.
"I choose you, Kael Harrington."
His eyes flashed gold.
Then he kissed me.
This wasn't like before. Not the desperate heat in his car. Not the tentative exploration in the training room.
This was a promise.
His hands cupped my face. Gentle. Reverent.
I kissed him back. Poured everything into it. All the fear and want and need I'd been shoving down for weeks.
When we broke apart, he rested his forehead against mine.
"Three days," he said. "Full moon. I'm holding a formal courtship ceremony."
I blinked. "A what?"
"I want everyone to know." His thumb brushed my cheek. "You chose me. I chose you. No one forced this. No one manipulated it."
"You're really going full traditional wolf ritual on me?"
"Yes."
"That's... dramatic."
"I'm an Alpha." His mouth curved. "We're dramatic."
I laughed.
Actually laughed.
His eyes softened. "I love that sound."
My chest went tight.
"Kael—"
"I know." He kissed my forehead. "You don't have to say it back. Not yet."
"But—"
"Once you accept my mark, there's no going back." His voice turned serious. "You understand that?"
I nodded. "I never go back."
"Good."
He pulled me against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat. Strong. Steady.
My wolf settled. Finally quiet.
I closed my eyes.
Behind us, I heard the door click shut.
Victoria had left.
Smart woman.
"Your mother approves," I said against his shirt.
"She's been rooting for you since day one."
"Really?"
"Really."
I pulled back. Looked up at him. "Why?"
"Because she saw what I refused to admit." He brushed hair from my face. "That you're not just my mate. You're my equal."
My throat went tight.
"Don't make me cry, Harrington."
"Wouldn't dream of it."
He kissed me again. Softer this time.
When he pulled away, his eyes were serious.
"The Wild Hunt is still out there."
Reality crashed back.
Right.
"I know."
"We need to prepare. The full moon ceremony will draw attention. They'll know you're here."
"Let them come." My wolf's voice bled into mine. "I'm done running."
Kael's eyes flashed with approval. With pride.
"Then we fight together."
"Together."
The word felt strange in my mouth.
But not bad.
Not bad at all.