Page 78 of Dark Auctioned Mate

“We’ve got the facilities for long-term care,” she explained to the audience and rescued women gathered in the main hall of the Weston Pack. “You will receive medical care, therapy, legal aid, and job training. We will help you to restructure your lives, no matter how long it takes.”

The women whispered in excitement and relief, smiling and holding each other.

But Alanis looked conflicted. That night, Rael found her sitting on the porch of his house, staring at the forest.

“They’re leaving tomorrow,” she said without preamble. “Deva asked if I was coming with them.”

Rael swallowed hard. “What did you tell her?”

“That I had to think it over. The mission is over. The Lumen needs me back to help these women.”

“I know.”

“But I do not want to go,” she blurted. “I want to stay here, with you, with the pack. I want to see if I can build something real here instead of just... existing between missions.”

Hope flared in Rael’s chest. “Then stay.”

“It’s not that simple.” Alanis twisted her hands.

Rael grabbed her hand, intertwining their fingers. “I love you.”

Her head snapped up, her eyes wide. “What?”

“I love you,” Rael repeated, his voice thick with emotion. “I am in love with you, Alanis. I have been in love with you for months, maybe longer. I tried not to be. God knows, I tried. But you may be leaving tomorrow, and I cannot let you go without telling you the truth.”

“Rael…”

“I love you. You are so strong and stubborn. You care so much about people, even when it hurts you. I love the fact that you’re a fighter. You never give up. I love all of you.”

Alanis was crying now, silent tears streaming down her face. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything.” Rael brought her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles gently. “But I need you to know—whatever you choose, I’ll support it. If you need to go back to the Lumen, if that’s where you’ll be happy, then go. I’ll hate every second you’re gone, but I’ll understand.”

“And if I stay?”

“Then I’ll spend every day proving that you made the right choice. Building a life with you that’s everything you deserve.”

“That’s not a fair compromise,” Alanis said through her tears. “You’re offering to sacrifice everything for me.”

“Not everything.” Rael smiled, though it hurt. “I’d still have my brothers, my pack, my purpose. I’d just be missing the most important thing—you.”

He took a breath. “But there’s another option. If you can’t choose between the Lumen and the pack, if you need both—then I’ll come with you. I’ll join the Lumen, work their missions, and be wherever you need me to be. I’m good at what I do, and they could use someone with my skills.”

“You’d leave your pack?” Alanis looked stunned. “Your family?”

“For you? In a heartbeat.”

Chapter 24 - Alanis

Alanis was unable to take her eyes off Rael.

He had just said that he loved her. More than that, he said that he would leave everything for her. His pack, his family, everything—to be with her.

No one had ever given her that. No one had ever looked at her and said: You are worth more than everything I have.

“I mean every word, Alanis,” Rael continued. “Your happiness means more to me than anything. If you have to be with the Lumen to be happy, then I will be there with you.”

Alanis stared at him through the blurry mess of her tears. She wondered what that would be like. Rael leaving his brothers, his family, and the pack he had lived all his life—his home. It would be a new environment. He was going to have to start all over.