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Mason

Christopheand I walked down the street to a nearby park, where we sat and watched a group of kids chase each other around in their wolf forms. I was still feeling a bit of shock that Christophe had showed up at the apartment and eager to find out why, especially after the talk we’d had the nightbefore.

“What’s going on, Christophe?”I asked. “No more secretmeetings?”

“Itold my parents about us,”hesaid.

My stomach did a flip.“You did? Whathappened?”

Aflameof excited expectation lit up inside me. If Christophe had come here and told Mom that we were together, then maybe,somehow…

He shook his head.“My parents don’t understand what it is that weshare.”

Ishrunk down, deflated. “I see.”

“They don't understandwhat us finding each othermeans. The importance ofit.”

“No,”I said. “I guess we can’t expect them to. It’s not something that would make sense to anyone, unless they felt it themselves. What does this mean for us?” I was afraid of what his answer wouldbe.

“My parents can decidewhat will happen with the clan. Either Arthur takes over as second eldest, ormaybe—”

Igrabbed his arm.“Hold on. You’re not saying you’re planning on leaving yourfamily?”

“If that’swhat I must do, then I’ll do it. For the first time in my life today, I walked away from my parents’ orders. They know I’mserious.”

“You can’t be.”

“Iam,”he said, frowning. “Of course Iam.”

He said this,but I could see the conflict in his eyes. “I understand how important family is to you, Christophe. I could never expect that ofyou.”

“Doyou believe we’re fated mates?” heasked.

“Yes,”I said emphatically. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so sure about anything. I think I’ve known it from the verybeginning.”

“Then that meansyou are my family. You and me and ourchildren.”

“Our children,”I repeated. I felt tingly just sayingit.

“Yes,”he said. “And as long as we’re together, that’s what I care about. That’s thefuture.”

Iheld back tears.Christophe’s willingness to sacrifice everything he cared about the most just for me had me overwhelmed. Everything about us had me overwhelmed, like it didn’t feel real. I’d never been in love with someone until now, until him. That love made me want to run away with him forever, but it also made me pause. I smiled and took Christophe’s hand. “I’m sorry,” Isaid.

“Why?”

“Because it’smy fault you’re in this shitty position. If I’d just kept my mouth shut about meeting secretly… Look, I’d much rather continue to keep our relationship on the down low than force you to make such a fucked updecision.”

“Oh,Mason. No, no. You were absolutely right. My mate should never be a secret. It was completely unfair and selfish of me to ask that ofyou.”

“And it’sunfair and selfish of me for you to be forced to give up something soimportant.”

“What wouldyou have me do,then?”

“Don’t abandon your clan,Christophe. They need a man like you to guide them. The kind of man who gives people second chances, and sees the best inothers.”

He lookedat me with those ruby eyes of his, the spark of flame in them glimmering with intensity. I could see him trying to think of a solution to this, and coming up empty. I could see the flickering sadness there, and that longing. That same look of longing I’d seen for the first time just over a week ago. Had we really only known each other for such a short time? There was something about Christophe that felt like I’d always known my entirelife.

“If I haveto be with you in secret, then I’ll live withthat.”