Page 103 of Pistols & Peonies

She’s quiet for a long moment, her jaw working like she’s chewing on something bitter. “The warehouse,” she says finally. “The rebel raid. Was that real, or just part of your game?”

“That intel came in too late,” I grumble. “I tried to stop it. Couldn’t.”

She nods slowly, like she already knew the answer and just needed to hear me say it.

“It was a big hit to the rebellion,” I continue, holding her gaze. “Set us back at least six months. Not that change will happen quickly anyway. If this is going to work, if we’re going to dismantle pack leadership the right way, without a war, it’ll take time. We’re estimating five years, maybe more.”

She absorbs that with quiet resignation. I reach for her knee, wrapping my hand around it and holding on tight.

“I’m sorry you got pulled into this,” I murmur. “I know being Paired was a punishment for you, but it was one for me, too. A reminder of my place.”

She jerks away immediately, blue eyes blazing.

I catch her chin before she can turn away completely, forcing her to meet my gaze. “I don’t see it as a punishment anymore,” I add quickly. “Not now. Not with you.”

Violet stares back at me, breathing hard.

“I never wanted a mate,” I admit. “Not with everything else I’m juggling. But if I have to have one…” My thumb brushes along the edge of her jaw. “I’m glad it’s you.”

The words come easier now that I’ve started, falling from my lips like a confession.

“I was losing sight of why any of this mattered,” I continue. “Everything had started to feel like strategy and damage control, just moving pieces around a board and hoping the whole thing didn’t collapse.” I exhale slowly. “Then you showed up and reminded me what the fight is actually for.”

Her eyes flicker.

“You brought a spark back into my life, Violet,” I say, voice softening. “And I don’t think I realized how much I needed that. Needed you. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me.”

She’s quiet for a beat, then presses her fists into her eyes and drags them down her face.

“I understand if this changes things between us,” I add.

“Yeah,” she says with a shaky laugh. “It does.” She lowers her hands and looks at me, her blue eyes bright now instead of angry. “But not in a bad way.”

I arch a brow, caught off guard. “Yeah?”

She nods, almost shy, and I can’t stop the smile that tugs at my mouth. She glances away and takes another sip of her whiskey before leaning forward to set the glass on the table.

“What if this was all too much,” she asks slyly, “and I just walked out that door?”

“I’d still protect you,” I answer without hesitation. “Always.”

Her eyes narrow. “Why?”

“Because you’re my mate.”

She sighs, and I can almost feel the tension draining out of her shoulders. “I still think you’re a manipulative bastard,” she mutters.

The corner of my mouth lifts. “I know.”

“And I’m still mad at you for not telling me.”

A chuckle rumbles in my chest. “Wouldn’t expect anything else.”

She lifts her chin, studying my face like she’s making a mental list of future grievances. “You’re not off the hook, Kane. Not by a long shot.”

I lean in and smack a kiss on her lips, just because I can. “Wouldn’t have it any other way, mate.”

She shoves me, but there’s no real force behind it. I let the push move me back an inch before catching her again and pulling her into my arms.