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her bag as if she wanted to be ready to go at a moment s notice.
We need to talk, but first we need to plan, she said, not bothering to turn around. Safety is
more important than angst at the moment.
Ellie might have been shadowed and fearful of most who could harm her, but every once in a
while, she d get these sudden bursts of strength and attitude. He lived to see more of those, to relish in
the fact that she was healing.
Even if it was without his help.
I think we can stay here for a bit, he said as he sat down on the couch, placing his head in his
hands. He needed to stop and think. So much had happened in such a little amount of time he couldn t
put it all together.
Won t they be coming for us? she asked as she turned to him but didn t move closer.
He could still smell her spicy and sweet scent as it was, so he was glad she stayed away from
him. He didn t know if he could control himself if she stood closer.
Yes, and they know where we are, but honestly, we don t have anywhere else to hide on neutral
ground. The Centrals will find us, no matter where we go, but I d rather fight them on land I know and
have the ability to protect.
So we ll stay here for a bit then? Ellie finally moved and sat on the coffee table in front of
him, their knees barely brushing.
He sucked in a breath at the slight touch but didn t move.
I don t think Corbin will think that we ll stay here. Plus, he s hurting. Bastard should have been
hurting more, but at least he s in a bit of a fix.
She brushed a lock of hair from his face. Her touch was so gentle, so hesitant, that Maddox
resisted the urge to pull her close and never let go.
North will be okay, Maddox.
I want to believe you.
Then do. Her hand trailed from his hair to cup his scarred cheek, and he leaned into her touch,
not caring that she again touched him where no one else had.
Ellie, this can t happen, he whispered, but even to his own ears, he didn t sound as though he
meant it as strongly as he had before.
She didn t flinch or move her hand. Tell me why, Maddox. Does your wolf not want me? No,
that can t be true. My wolf knows your wolf wants us together, so it has to be the man. Do you not
want me?
He closed his eyes, unable to look into her dark ones and lie& but did he need to lie?
No, it was time to tell her why. Tell her why she couldn t be his and that she should move on so
she could be happy because if anyone deserved to be happy it was her.
Ellie, God, I want you. You have no idea how much I want you, he said quickly.
Her eyes brightened then narrowed. Then why don t you want to be my mate? Am I not good
enough?
He shook his head and cupped her face with his hands. You are incredible, Ellie Reyes. You
are the strongest person I know. You re the one who I could see my future with, the one I d want by
my side if it was possible. I love the way you smile when you find yourself in a place you feel you re
allowed to be happy. I love the way that, even though the world seems to be against you, you still try
to show them that you re better than they think. I love that, no matter what happened in your past,
you re determined to make your future brighter. I love the way the wind hits your hair in just the right
way that it frames your face and still blows behind you, making you look like a proud warrior.
Tears spilled down her cheeks, and he wiped them away with his thumbs, needing her to know
how much he wanted her, how much she meant to him.
Ellie, you re precious to me. You have to believe that.
Then why& why, Maddox?
Because if we were to create the mating bond, I d break that fragile peace you ve woven for
yourself. I m like the blood on your hands, Ellie. I ll stain you, break down the barriers you made,
and ruin you.
Fire lit her eyes, and she pulled away from his touch, leaving him bereft.
Seriously? You re saying that you want me like no other and say all those beautiful things, yet
do nothing about it? Is this really the it s-not-you-it s me talk?
He shook his head and took her hand in his. She pulled back, but he tightened his grip. Ellie, it s
not that. I m the Omega; I can t mate.
She snorted. No, you only think that.
When was the last time you knew an Omega that had a mate?
So you re saying that Omegas shouldn t mate, even though fate has given us a chance? The other
Omegas might have been idiots and pulled away to protect themselves, but I thought you were better
than that. I thought that we were better than that.
Ellie, you re not to blame. I don t want to hurt you.
Too late for that, you ass. You re doing it by saying we can t be together when you re just too
scared to.
It s more than just you and me; it s all the powers of the Pack, baby.
Don t you baby me, Maddox Jamenson. You re going to tell me exactly what you mean right
now because I m tired of watching you and not having the courage to do anything about it. You keep
telling me that I m strong, that I m a warrior. Well, hell, I haven t felt that. I ve never really felt that,
not where I came from. Now, you re going to have to deal with this new me you seem to think I am.
What do you think I can t handle as your mate? What am I too weak for?
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