Chapter 6

I should have left.

The second I saw her, the second her scent hit me, I should have turned around and walked away. Pretended I never saw her, never even knew her. It would have been the smart thing to do. The safe thing to do.

But I couldn’t.

The moment her eyes met mine, all that pain, all that desperation that I’d buried came roaring back to life, tearing me apart. She looked at me like I was a ghost, like I’d shattered her heart all over again just by standing there.

And hell if I didn’t want to drop to my knees right there and beg for forgiveness.

But what would that have accomplished? She didn’t know. She didn’t understand what she was. What I’d been sent to do. If I opened my mouth, if I even tried to explain, it would only make things worse.

For both of us.

My fists clenched at my sides, nails digging into my palms hard enough to draw blood. The beast inside me—my wolf—snarled and clawed, furious and desperate. It wanted to protect her, to pull her close and hide her away from everything that threatened her. To claim her. But I shoved it down, teeth gritted, my entire body trembling with the effort.

She didn’t belong to me.

She never had.

And yet… I’d let myself believe, for one reckless, stupid moment, that maybe she could. That if I stayed just a little longer, if I kept slipping through her window at night, maybe—

No. I couldn’t think like that. Couldn’t remember those nights, the way she’d looked at me, half-asleep and trusting, the way she’d let me stay even when I should have gone.

“Jax?” she’d whispered, her voice soft and groggy, her hair a wild mess around her face. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I’d murmured, brushing a hand over her cheek. “Go back to sleep, Viv.”

“Okay,” she’d mumbled, and then she’d reached for me, wrapping her arms around my waist and snuggling against my chest like I was something safe. Like I was hers. “You can stay. You can always stay.”

God. I’d wanted that to be true so fucking badly. Even though I knew better. Even though I knew I was being a selfish bastard every time I crawled through that window and curled up beside her.

Because the truth was, I’d never deserved her.

But she’d given herself to me anyway.

Our friends-with-benefits arrangement had started as a way to distract myself, to burn off the tension, to keep myself from going insane. But it hadn’t stayed that way. Not for long. Because it wasn’t just about the sex—not with her. It was the way she looked at me. The way she’d smile, all sleepy and sweet, and ask if I was hungry, if I’d eaten anything that day. The way she’d tell me about her day, her dreams, her stupid, random thoughts.

Like she cared. Like she actually wanted me around.

She was too kind. Too good. And that kindness had been my undoing.

Because somewhere along the way, I’d imprinted.

The beast had chosen her, marked her as mine, and that was it. There was no going back. I’d felt the mate bond snap into place the night I shifted for the first time, the pain tearing through me as bones broke and muscles twisted. It had been agony, my wolf howling in fury, and the only thought running through my mind had been Viv. I had to get to her, had to see her, had to make sure she was okay.

But I hadn’t.

I’d stayed away. Because I’d known—fuck, I’d known that the second I saw her again, the pack would know. My father would know. And they’d use her against me.

Or worse.

Because Vivienne Morvain wasn’t just a girl.

She was a threat.

I could still remember the way my father’s voice had sounded, low and dangerous, the day he’d called me into his office. The way his eyes had burned as he’d leaned across the desk, staring me down like I was some rabid dog.

“Her blood is dangerous, Jaxon,” he’d warned, his voice a growl. “If the wrong people find out, if they realize what she’s capable of—”

“She’s just a human,” I’d muttered, my jaw clenched. “She doesn’t even know—”

“And you think that makes a difference?” He’d slammed his fist down, making me flinch. “If she falls into the wrong hands, if they find out—” He’d shaken his head, his expression turning cold. “It’ll mean war.”

War. Because of Viv.

Because of the blood running through her veins.

“I’m ordering you to take care of it,” he’d said softly, his gaze cutting through me like a knife. “You’re the only one who knows her, the only one she’ll trust. Get close. Earn her trust if you have to. And then—”

“No,” I’d whispered, my stomach turning.

“Yes.” His voice had been like steel. “Do it, or I’ll send someone else. Someone who won’t be nearly as gentle.”

I’d walked out after that. Hadn’t said a word, hadn’t looked back. But I’d known—I’d known what he meant. He wasn’t asking me to protect her. He was asking me to kill her.

But I couldn’t.

Because the moment I saw her, the moment her eyes met mine, the beast had roared to life, desperate to claim, to protect.

And now I was stuck.

If I didn’t do it, if I didn’t follow orders, they’d send someone else. Someone like—

A shudder ran through me, and I clenched my teeth, my nails biting into my palms. I’d seen what the pack was capable of. Seen what my brother was capable of.

If they sent him…

“Fuck,” I whispered hoarsely, my breath ragged.

I didn’t have a choice. I had to stay away. Had to keep my distance. Had to—

A bitter laugh escaped my throat. Stay away? Now? After I’d just seen her, touched her?

“Shit,” I muttered, my entire body trembling. “I’m so sorry, Viv. You have no idea… no idea what they’ll do if they find out.”

I’d failed her. Failed to protect her, failed to keep her safe. And now it was only a matter of time before they figured it out. Before he figured it out.

And when that happened…

“I’m sorry,” I whispered again, my voice breaking.

But there was nothing I could do.

She was already as good as dead.

And so was I.