Chapter Eight

The week he'd been allowed by Jericho Savidge passed quickly. The days had been some of the best ones of his life. Circe would go to work, and when she came home, he cooked them dinner. They'd sit and talk, or watch a movie. Go on a walk, or even a wolf run. Time, however, marched on despite his hope they could remain in their bubble and not face the world.

They lay in bed, his finger twirling in a curl of her hair. Her head rested on his chest with her fingers tracing a pattern on his skin. Both were lost in their own little world, and he hated to snap her out of their tranquil moment, but he had to remind her that he was leaving tomorrow.

"I have to go back to Shadowhide," he said softly.

Her fingers stopped their movement. "I know."

"I want you to come with me."

She didn't reply. As the silence stretched out, he grew more nervous about her answer.

"Circe?"

"I can't," she replied.

He stiffened, and their bubble popped. She sat up and looked down at him.

"I have a commitment here," she said.

"And I have a commitment back there."

She nodded and looked down. Thoughts flashed across her lovely, expressive face. "I know. I suppose it's hypocritical of me to condemn you for yours while feeling righteous in mine."

Miles sat up and cupped her face. "Will you come home with me?"

"I can't," she answered. "I have a contract…"

"And I have a pack."

She jerked back, blinking. "Of course." Circe rose and grabbed her robe. "I think it's best you leave now."

"What?" he asked incredulously.

"I get it," she said. "You need to put the pack first again. Just like last time, I'm second best. Not as important."

"I never said that," he snapped.

"It's inferred when you don't honor me enough to realize I have people depending on me, too!" she yelled. "I thought you finally understood, but it's abundantly clear you're still thinking like a typical alpha male. It's all me, me, me. Pack, pack, pack. Screw the woman the High Luna had chosen for you and then demand she follow you like a puppy."

She marched out of the bedroom. A moment later, he followed, wearing only his boxer briefs.

"Circe, stop and talk to me."

She did just that, turning and placing her hands on her hips.

"How dare you come here and act the same. ‘It's for the greater good, Circe.' ‘It's for the peace treaty, Circe.' ‘There's no way around it, Circe.' Well, guess what? There was a way around it but you never put any effort in trying to find it! I wasn't good enough then and I'm not good enough now."

"That's not it at all."

"Then tell me what it is."

His jaw muscles flexed as he no-doubt ground his teeth together. "I can't right now."

Disappointment filled her, and emotion clogged her throat. "I knew you'd break my heart again," she whispered brokenly. "You should've left me alone and let me forget about you."

He went to reach for her, but she turned and fled out the back door in a flash. Letting her wolf take over her skin, and fleeing into the night.