Chapter 33
I curse.
The female doctor senses the tension in the room. “I’ll be at the nurse’s station. When you sort this out, the legal family or spouse can come and sign the necessary documents.” She looks at Adam. “Doctor, I’ll leave you to it in the interim.”
Adam nods.
When the door closes I growl at Liam. “Where the he ll do you get off-”
“What?” Liam’s eyes flash. “Did you think you were the only one who could infiltrate a pack? The only one who could do their homework?”
My hands flex at my sides.
I glance at Leah, where she lies lifeless in that hospital bed. Her eyes are closed and her face is pale. She’s hooked up to all different wires and machines and tubes.
“You underwent a ceremony with Jessica Matherson,” Liam says. “You wed her. And though you did not log this with human records or even within your own pack as a formal match, that doesn’t mean the vows weren’t exchanged.”
Sonofabitch. How can they know this?
It’s not common knowledge. I don’t even know if it’s valid.
Years ago, when it was decided that an arranged marriage was the only way forward. I agreed to it. It was a last ditch effort to keep the peace within my own home. Jess…she was heartbroken. I’d thought I was going to end up with Jessica and we’d been dating for a long time. So when Jessica started spouting vows as if we were pledging ourselves to each other, I went along with it.
I didn’t consider it real.
At least, I don’t now.
At the time I said those words, I ha ted everything about Pack Roberts and I was only going along with the peace treaty because we couldn’t afford any more losses.
I didn’t know Leah.
It’s funny how time changes things.
How feelings that seemed so strong can change into indifference, and where once there was no bond at all, some deeper
connection can grow.
Liam’s eyes narrow. “That little ceremony with your beta’s
sister, it makes your ‘marriage’ to my sister invalid. And as the new Alpha of Pack Roberts I insist that she is returned to her family.”
“No.”
Just that one word.
I don’t owe them anything. Not an explanation or excuse.
“A handfast marriage is recognized by pack law, Aaron. It is the old way. And as Alpha, you know that.”
I think about what Liam said. He’s aware of the situation with Jessica. But he couldn’t have known for long. If he had, I have to think he would’ve tried to get Leah back sooner.
Maybe.
I refuse to discuss Jessica with him. “Leah and I are married in the eyes of our packs. Your father’s pledge to me was unalterable—or have you forgotten the blood debt.”
“Any debt we owed is paid. This is done.”
“Leah is mine.”
Adam shoves his hands into the pockets of his lab coat. “No. I don’t think she is.”
“She vowed, not two days ago, to be mine. To stay mine.” And I’d hold her to that promise. “Surely, you don’t think that what transpired at the Regional Council is the last of things.”
Liam bristles. “You set us up. And I’m going to prove it.”
“How? The only way to prove your innocence would be to incriminate your sister. Let it go.”
“No.”
“Your father is dead. The drama of his actions can be buried with him. There is no reason to further incriminate yourselves or my wife.”
Liam smirks. “She’s not your wife. And if I have the Council call you and your precious wh ore Jessica to testify, they’ll side with us and invalidate your marriage to Leah.”
“I won’t let that happen.”
My wolf ripples beneath my skin. They won’t take her from me. “Are you prepared to fight? Because that is what it will take…”
Adam looks at Liam. They nod. “Oh we’re ready to fight… and you may think you have the upper hand, that we’re a bu nch of idi ots that you can push around like chess pieces in a game, but you’re about to find out that we’re ready for war. And, Aaron, this war has already started…”
