Chapter 40 +25 BONUS Pride and fear war in my chest . Pride at her quiet courage , fear at how they'll make her pay for it . " Bold words , " Victoria's smile shows teeth . " For someone who can't even shift . Tell me , what exactly do you contribute to this pack , beyond ... distracting ... our King from his duties ? " My growl fills the room before I can stop it . Victoria's smile widens - she wanted this reaction . Before the confrontation can escalate , a messenger arrives to request my presence in the warrior wing . " Go , " Sage says softly . " They need you . " Always duty . Always choosing pack over mate . The cost of being King . But as I leave , I hear Victoria's parting shot : " Yes , run along to your duties . Some of us will make sure your ... pet ... doesn't cause any more disruptions . " My beast roars to defend , to claim , to end these threats to our mate . Instead , I force myself to focus on the next battle . Hours later , I find her in the library curled in her usual window seat . Moonlight turns her silver - blonde hair ethereal , and for a moment I just watch her , allowing myself this stolen moment of peace . " You should be resting , " she says without turning . " So should you . " I approach slowly , not wanting to break whatever fragile calm she's found here . " Long day . She finally looks at me , violet eyes too knowing . " How are your warriors ? " " Healing . Thanks to a mysterious poultice no one wants to admit helped . " A ghost of a smile touches her lips . " The pack has excellent healers . I'm sure they would have thought of it eventually . " " You don't have to do that . " I move closer , drawn by some force I can't fight anymore . " Make yourself smaller to fit their expectations . " " Don't I ? " She turns back to the window , but not before I catch the shimmer of unshed tears . " Victoria's right about one thing . I'm not ... I don't belong in this world of power and politics . " My beast snarls at her pain . Before I can stop myself , I'm kneeling beside her seat , close enough to catch her familiar scent of honeysuckle and rain . " Look at me , sweetling " She does , and something in my chest cracks at the vulnerability in her eyes . " You belong exactly where you choose to be , " I tell her softly . " And anyone who says different can answer to me . " " That's part of the problem , isn't it ? " Her hand lifts , hovers near my face like she wants to touch the scar along my jaw . " Everyone watching , waiting for you to show weakness because of me . " " You're not my weakness . " The words come out rougher than intended . Her fingers finally make contact with my scar , feather - light . " Then what am I ? " The question hangs between us , heavy with all the things I can't say yet , My beast strains toward her touch , Chapter 40 +25 BONUS - wanting to confess everything - mate bond , prophecies , the way she makes me question everything I was taught about strength . Instead , I catch her hand , pressing it more firmly against my cheek . Her breath catches . " Alaric ... " My name on her lips sounds like a question and a prayer . I lean closer , drawn by some gravity I can't resist . Her eyes flutter closed- " Alpha ! " Garrett's voice carries from the hallway . " Northern border ! " The moment shatters . Sage pulls back , wrapping her arms around herself . " Go where you're needed , Alpha , " she whispers . Always duty . Always interruptions . Always this distance I can't seem to bridge . I stand reluctantly , my hand feeling empty without hers . " I know I've said it before , but it's still true . We're not finished here . " " Aren't we ? " Her smile holds too much resignation . " Maybe it's better this way . Safer . " " Sage- " " ALPHA ! " I growl in frustration , but she's already turning away , moonlight casting shadows on her face that look too much like tears . Later , when the crisis has ended and the border is secure , I stop to remember the feel of her hand on my scar . Remember the way she pulled back , protecting herself from hoping too much . I'm starting to realize I can't keep fighting this war on all fronts . Something has to give before I lose either my pack or my mate . Or maybe I've already chosen . 1 I just pray the cost of that choice won't destroy us all .