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“I’ll sign over the clan.”

Hawk stood up and shoved a chair over, so it clattered to the ground. “Ace, what the fuck?”

“If you give me back my fated mate and leave me my son, you can have the clan,” I continued. “As long as I’ve got my mate and my son… You can take the clan. Be the alpha you claim you can be.”

Hawk waved his hands at the clan members in the clubhouse. Everyone stood up and started shouting in disbelief, calling my name and thumping their fists against the couch. I grinned and nodded my approval at the display. They were loud enough that there was no way Sean couldn’t hear them over the phone.

Perfect. I needed him to think I was going against my clan members. That they didn’t trust me anymore. That they were ready for a new alpha to swoop in and take control.

Sean laughed. “That’s all it took? You’ll give up everything you have for a woman?”

“She’s not just a woman. She’s mymate.You wouldn’t understand.”

“You’re damn right I wouldn’t,” Sean said. “If I had known this was all it would take, I would’ve taken her a lot sooner.”He laughed again. Behind me, the clan members kept causing a ruckus, shouting their disbelief.

“So, what’s your answer?” I snarled. “Is that a good enough trade for you?”

“It is.”

I flashed a thumbs-up to the clan members, and Hawk fist-pumped in victory.

“You’ll come to my compound tomorrow,” Sean said. “I’ll send the location. We’ll make the exchange. Your woman for the clan. I expect you to bring the contract that signs the role of alpha over to me.”

“Consider it done,” I said. “But only if Harley is unharmed.”

“She is,” Sean said. “But if you even think about trying to play me, Ace, I’ll slit her throat right in front of you. I won’t fucking hesitate.”

I squeezed my phone so hard I felt the case crack. My dragon’s rage burned my insides. He was so close to the surface I exhaled smoke. If Sean laid a single finger on her, I’d tear him to pieces. I only wished I could say that to him now.

But now, I needed him to believe I was weak. Broken.

That he had won.

“Deal,” I said through gritted teeth and ended the call.

Hawk and the clan members all fell silent and stared at me expectantly.

“He bought it. We’re on for tomorrow.”

“Hell, yeah!” Hawk said, and everyone exchanged victorious high fives.

I didn’t feel the same sense of elation. I took a deep breath, trying to settle my thrashing dragon. I rubbed my temples as I strode out the door for some fresh air.

I stepped onto the back deck and braced my hands on the railing. The air was crisp and cool around me, the lake was still, and the sun beat down on the back of my neck as I tippedmy head forward. Exhaustion crashed over me like a wave. Logically, I knew this was a good plan, but my dragon loathed every part of it. It made my skin crawl to speak to Sean like I was bowing to him. It nauseated me to even suggest that I’d be willing to leave the clan in Sean’s hands. And all of this was the lead-up to something even worse: my brother’s death at my own hands.

“Hey.” Hawk stepped out on the deck and slid the glass door closed behind him. “You did good.”

“I know,” I said, without looking up. “He bought it.”

“You think he’ll be surprised when you challenge him?” Hawk asked. He stood next to me and propped his forearms on the railing.

“Even if he expects it, that doesn’t mean he can beat me.”

“Guess not,” Hawk said. “But all the pieces are falling into place.”

“Yeah. It’ll be over soon.”

“God, I’m ready for that,” Hawk admitted. “I know this is hard for both of us.”