Page 175 of Dominion

“For once, you need to stop worrying about wars between packs. The reason we have packs is to protect our members. I think you should accept the help that’s being offered to you. Especially if the Denver pack is big enough.”

“I’m not comfortable with that. I’ll keep you posted.” I hang up before she can argue more.

My stomach roils as a dark wave of grief crashes over me.

Leaving Mark is going to tear my she-wolf in two. But I won’t have him risk his life to protect us. Not when Dirk’s bringing his whole pack. Even with silver bullets, it’s not a war he can win alone.

I go to Mark’s bedroom. I memorized the code for the safe this morning when he opened it, so I use it now to get in, carefully taking out the pistol and silver bullets. My best bet is to take care of this situation on my own. And I now have the means to do it.

I load the gun and tuck it in my waistband, then head downstairs to write a note for Mark and talk to the kids.

“Angie, Jayden, come here, please.” After I write the note, I summon the pups from where they were watching television and sit down on a kitchen chair.

They must hear something different in my voice because all the joy of the bike ride instantly disappears. Jayden turns off the TV, and they both come to stand in front of me. I gather them close to me.

“Are we leaving?” Jayden asks quietly.

“I need to take care of something. Something really important. It’s not safe for you two to come along.”

Angie’s eyes fill with tears.

Jayden’s expression makes him look ancient. “Is Dad here?”

I swallow then nod. “I’m going to deal with him.”

“With Mark’s gun?” Jayden asks, surprising me. He must’ve heard Mark and I talking about it in the hallway Saturday night.

I nod again.

“What if it doesn’t work?”

“It has to work,” I say fiercely. Because there’s no other option. I don’t want to keep running and hiding for the rest of our lives. I met my true mate, my fated mate, my wolf-daddy, and I need to be with him.

“I’m leaving this note for Mark. When he gets home, give it to him, okay?”

Jayden nods gravely.

Angie’s crying for real now.

I refuse to let my own tears fall. There’s no way I’m taking them with me because if I fail, they’d be in Dirk’s hands. This way, if something goes wrong, Mark will protect them and call my sister, who will take them. But no, nothing can go wrong. I’ll be back for them. They need me. I hug them both tightly and kiss the tops of their heads, and then I schedule a ride on my ride sharing app for the mountains. I need to get away from humans to make this work.

5

Mark

I get a bad feeling in the afternoon, one that compounds when Colleen doesn’t answer her phone. I end up leaving work early, claiming I have a doctor’s appointment, and drive straight home.

My mate wouldn’t leave. She couldn’t. Our wolves need each other, and she wouldn’t be safe on her own.

That’s what I tell myself the whole ride home, but cold dread fills my limbs. I park in the garage and throw the door open, relief coursing through me when I hear the television and see the kids.

But then I instantly recognize something’s wrong. Both pups look frightened. I sniff the air, but there’s no scent of another wolf. Colleen’s scent is faint.

“Where’s your mom?” I try to keep my voice even despite my returning panic.

Jayden stands and walks to the kitchen table, rather than answer me. He picks up a sealed envelope with my name on it.

Fuck.