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Carefully I untie the bow with shaking fingers.
Opening the lid, I look inside.
It's a beautiful silver bracelet with an engraving of a wolf.
"Turn it over." Riley calls out.
Carefully flipping it over, my heart stops. Engraved on the back are the names
Corbin Lei Riley
"We were planning on giving it to you for your Birthday,” Corbin starts. “To show you, that no matter what, it would always be the three of us. That you would never have to choose. We love you, Lei. We've always loved you."
"Is that why you thought I left? I know you would have never made me choose. I didn't want to leave. I never would have, but,” I turn to Riley. "Remember that day we went out into the woods? We shifted and then went swimming in Devil’s Creek?"
He nods. "Jacob called you in the office when we got back."
Now it's Corbin's turn to frown. "What did my father want?"
"He thought I was cheating on you and had me followed. You were next in line for alpha, and he didn't want anything or anyone making you look weak. He couldn't afford to lose you or Riley. You were both too important to the pack."
I can see Corbin's hands clenched into fists on his lap. "What did he do?" He growls.
"He gave me a choice. Leave Redwood for good or watch one of you die."
Chapter Fourteen
RILEY
Scanning the area around me, I shift. Taking off toward Devil's Creek. The place where I had found my happiness, and the place where it had been taken away.
I’d always known there was another side to Jacob. I’d seen his ways once or twice when he’d trained me to be an enforcer. It was my job to protect his son, which meant I would need to prepare for anything. I’d seen him kill without question. I’d seen him lie if it gained him in some way.
I’d never considered him an angel, but I never thought he would deny his son, his true mate.
I’m not even mad at Lei for leaving. I know if it had been in reverse, I would have gladly given it all up for her. We were a trifecta, and with that came power. Power Jacob no doubt had been terrified of. Scenting the air, I catch the scent of Corbin heading to the south and I know exactly where he is going.
Turning away I head east, breaking into a run. In truth, I wanted nothing more than to return to Lei and apologize for leaving, but I think we all needed a minute. Besides, ten minutes won’t matter because when I get back in there, it’s the start of forever.
Chapter Fifteen
CORBIN
Dammit. I stalk across the grounds of Redwood Manor, heading toward the trees.
My father. My own fucking father was the one that had done this to me.
For two years, he’d known that she was alive and that he was the one responsible for her being out in the world alone.
I should have known he would have had something to do with it. He had always tried to persuade me toward Keisha. Maybe that's why I eventually agreed to mate her. I did it to make him happy on his deathbed, but I couldn't do it. I've put off this mating for the past year because I’ve always known I couldn’t do it deep down.
I might have told Riley a thousand times over that Lei would never return. Hell, I’d even talked myself into believing it, but deep down, I never gave up hope of finding her one day.
Pulling my t-shirt over my head, I run toward the trees, preparing to shift.
My wolf needs to be free. I can feel him writhing within me. Angry that he’d been separated from his mate through no fault of his own.
Letting my wolf take over, I embrace the change as I relax, allowing him to take control. To tire himself out and release all our anger.
