I closed my eyes and sat on the arm of the couch, letting the quiet settle between us.
“You’ve always done good work here,” he continued. “You’ve kept my pack safe. And you never once asked for more than what you needed. So tell me… what happened? Why are you quitting?”
I drew in a slow breath, the words coming out steady.
“It’s time, Alpha,” I murmured. “It’s time for me to stop running from who I am… and go back to face it. Back to Plum Blossom. Back to… my duty.”
I didn’t mention the marriage.
Not yet.
“You’re really leaving?” His voice sounded heavy, tired. “So soon? Do Ryan and Warren know?”
“They don’t,” I admitted quietly. “And please… help me keep it a secret. At least for now. I don’t want to cause more trouble.”
He sighed — a long, resigned sound that reminded me just how old he really was.
“You know how those two feel about you, Allison. Everyone always thought you’d pick one of them in the end.”
I smiled faintly, though there was no joy in it.
“There’s nothing to pity, Alpha,” I said softly. “You know what I am. What I’ll always be. No Alpha would truly want someone like me at his side. And as for my fated mate…”
I let the words fade.