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Liza’s shoulders shook violently as a new wave of emotion washed over her. It was impossible for me to keep my distance, so I pulled her close against my chest and wrapped her in my arms.
She buried her face in the hollow of my shoulder. “I never wanted any of this. I spent so many nights wishing it would all just disappear.”
She was trembling, so I held her tighter.
“I always worried what might happen if someone found out.” She pulled away from me and froze. “Stone knows. Oh, fuck. He fucking knows what I am. Is that why you’ve been so angry with him? And why you almost ripped him to shreds back at the banquet hall? He’s been threatening to expose what I am if he doesn’t get what he wants from you. Am I right?”
My heart dropped into my stomach. After what just happened, I should have told her everything and got it out in the open so we could figure out what to do about it, but I wanted her deeply in love with me before I told her the absolute worst thing I’d ever had to tell anyone.
This was my chance to tell her the truth, but instead I was spinning an entirely new lie to feed her. I was such a piece of shit. In my defense, this was the only way I could prevent her from learning the truth of what my father had done to her family. I had to figure out how to tell her without losing her. I wouldn’t survive losing her.
I nodded. “Yes, Stone wants money. A lot of it. He’s been threatening to reveal your secret to anyone who will listen if he doesn’t get what he wants. That’s why I wanted you to stay away from him.” I wished she would see through me, call me a fucking liar, and demand I tell her what I was hiding. When she didn’t, though, I kept going. “When I saw him hovering over you tonight, I couldn’t contain my wolf. That son of a bitch shouldn’t be stepping within a mile of you.”
Liza nodded slightly and stepped back into my embrace. I stroked her back in soothing circles.
“I promise I won’t let Stone tell a soul. Your secret is safe with me, and I’ll make sure it’s safe with Stone. That motherfucker knows better than to open his damn mouth.” I paused and held her at arm’s length. I wanted and needed to look into her eyes. “I will always protect you, Liza. You’re my mate, and I would do anything to keep you safe and well. I mean that with every ounce of my being.” At least that much was true.
Liza smiled weakly and kissed my cheek before resting her head against my chest. I held her close, never wanting to let go. It seemed like everything was finally falling into place for us now that the omega secret was no longer between us. We had a chance at a real future together, one that would be filled with safety, security, and love.
Dragging out the truth about our families would only piss Liza off later down the line. I knew that, but I had no choice. Stone needed to be handled. I needed him out of the way and out of our lives for good. That was the only way Liza and I had a chance at a real future together.
Once Stone was out of the picture, I could figure out the best way to get Liza what was rightfully hers. Then, one day, I’d tell her the truth about Heather Falls and her true identity.
I walked Liza back to the estate, my arm wrapped protectively around her shoulders. I wanted to make sure she felt safe and secure, that she knew I was and always would be there for her. She was still trembling from our confrontation and her worries about Stone and anyone else who might learn about her being an omega.
Even though it had been a difficult night, we’d needed it. Having the truth out in the open had brought us closer together and deepened our bond. I only hoped that Liza could forgive me when I finally told her about the Wylde pack and how she was a princess who had been stripped of her place as heir.
“Are you okay to drive?” I brushed my lips over Liza’s cheek and studied her face.
Her tear-stained cheeks were paler than usual, and she had dark circles under her eyes.
“Yes, I’ll be fine.” She squeezed my hand. “I’ll text you when I get home.”
I kissed her softly. “Please do. Let me know if you made it okay.”
Liza buckled her seatbelt and reached to close her door, but I caught it before she could. “Remember, if you need me, I’m just a phone call away.”
She nodded, then pulled her car door shut. I watched her drive away until her taillights were out of sight.
Someone cleared their throat behind me, and I spun around, poised and ready to fight to the death. The evening had put me on edge, and I already had Stone on my mind.
“Whoa, killer.” Dad took a step back. “No need to attack unless you think an old man like me needs to be taken out.”
I breathed a sigh of relief and followed him inside.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
Lowering my voice, I said, “You’ll be happy to know that the Stone situation will be handled very soon.”
Dad nodded.
I studied him, really staring at him, taking in the gray at his temples, and the bags under his eyes. He seemed tired. “Are you okay?”
He sighed. “I’m not about to kick the bucket, if that’s what you’re asking.”
I shrugged and chuckled. “No, I’m not saying you look like death, but you do seem more tired than normal.” I glanced at my watch. “Didn’t the doctor say you needed to be in bed by nine every night?”
“He might have, but you know as well as anyone that I’ll do whatever I damn well please. I’ll sleep in tomorrow.” He leaned against the wall. “All of these secrets have been weighing on me for a long time, Tyson. I’ve done a lot of things, some legal, some not, to keep those secrets hidden. Now the people around me are being weighed down by the skeletons in my closet.” He glanced up the stairs, where I assumed Mother was sleeping.
