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“What do you want, then?”
“What I want is for my son not to be ashamed because he’s rogue—I want the stereotypes gone. I want everything I’ve worked for to mean something, so our son can say that I tried, that I had nothing but made something, something that made a difference. That’s why I don't want you marking me. It would be like throwing everything we worked hard for away if you made me give it up—like tossing what I was trying to change away—and all of them will go back to being just another rogue whore. And I will just be another selfish Alpha,” I tell him.
“I just want my mate, Everly, that’s all.”
“You say that now, until everyone starts putting pressure on you to force me to conform to their ways. You think I’ll remain quiet in Alpha meetings when they speak garbage about the way they treat rogue whores, or when the packs bring in another law that restricts them more—like the stupid schooling cuts they made last year? It will cause an uproar, one that will reflect poorly on you because you can't keep your Luna in line. You’ll pull rank over me, Valen. You’ll have control. And when they kick up a stink that I’m speaking against the way they’ve lived for decades, I know you’ll use it against me,” I tell him, clutching my head.
Everything is so fucked up, and the stress is beginning to get to me: the stress of the mate bond, the hotel, people going missing, my father, and this stupid Alpha meeting. Tears burn my eyes. I’m so sick and tired of the responsibility, but at the same time, I need to keep going.
“No. Youthinkyou know, Everly. But I’m not trying to take anything from you. Use your title how you want. Fuck, abolish the laws for all I care; I'll even help you.”
I scoff and drop my hands to look over at him. That would go down well, the media would tear shreds off him, and his pack would become a laughingstock. I shake my head. He seems to think it’s so easy that I should just accept him because his title could help. But it could also destroy everything.
Valen sighs and sits up on his elbow, looking down at me.
“I mean it, Everly. You want to help the rogues? What better position than one of power? Change the laws, change their views, but do it with me by your side and in your corner. You think you have to solve all their problems yourself; you don't.”
“You backing me would start a war, Valen. Wars never solve anything; just get innocent people killed.”
“Yes, you're right. But then those wars end up in history books and become everyone's turning point, a reflection of how we messed up and a place to see the error of their ways. You're worried about war? The packs are always at war. Why not go to war for something that will hold value and give a future to someone who otherwise would have none? You have my pack. They will fight for you if you’re my Luna. They will fight for the rogues.”
My brows crease as I think over his words, yet him saying it and allowing it after he marks me are two different things.
“One thing I’ve realized since meeting you is that the rogues hold just as much value as anyone else and are capable of more than they realize because not one of your people have ever talked down to me, treated me, or any of those that enter your doors differently. They treat everyone with kindness even though they are shown none. You want to change the laws, change things for the rogues, then let me help you.”
“You could go back on your word, though, Valen,” I whisper. He could ruin everything because me taking that title gives him everything I own—everything the rogues own.
“I won't. I swear I won't. And I’ll prove it.” Valen sighs, dropping his head on my shoulder, and groans. He feels defeated, yet I can also tell he understands because his anger is gone.
“How?” I ask.
“Because tomorrow I will open up my pack’s schools for the rogue children. And I am shutting down that terrible place you call a school.” He lifts his head back up and presses his forehead against mine.
“Besides, when I spoke to Valarian about changing schools, he refused unless Casey and Taylor could come to his new school, so the more, the merrier.”
“But what of the rogues that work there? They’ll lose their jobs.”
“I hear a certain Mountainview Hotel is looking for extra employees… We can help find them jobs. We can work it out,” Valen says.
“In a city where rogues can't go past the two streets on either side of the main street unless it’s to the reserve, there are no jobs, Valen. No one will hire them.”
Valen sighs, appearing to think for a second before pushing his knee between my legs and shoving them apart.
ChapterSixty
Everly
I raise an eyebrow at him. He smirks at me without answering as he moves between my legs and rests his arms on my pillow.
“Valen!” I growl, looking away but also not wanting to shove him off because the tingling sensation makes my stomach warm and fuzzy. He chuckles, but presses his weight against me when I don't shove him off.
“Then I will drop my borders for them,” Valen says, and my eyes snap to his.
“You would do that?” I ask, and he nods. “Maybe once I do, the other packs may open their borders too.”
“Valen, the media will destroy you for that,” I tell him, and he shrugs.
“And after the Alpha meeting when I announce my mate is a rogue, it’ll give them something else to talk about. I don't care for my reputation, Everly. No matter what, the media will find some way to destroy it, so why not give them something good to talk about? Let them open the debate. Then we can focus on changing their views,” he says before leaning down and brushing his nose across my cheek to my ear and down my jaw.
