Swiftcurrent Creek your kiss, my cheek—i watched you leave

Limp in his embrace—broken.

He wasn’t surprised—this was the affect he had on others.

It didn’t encourage him to let her loose then, from his grasp. If anything, he held her a little tighter—as if somehow, she would slip away and to the arms of another who could give her everything she desired.

He had been prepared only minutes before to walk away—and now that the surreality of their path was becoming tangible… a reality… it tightened in his chest. It terrified him that she would listen to him, and would walk away from him—from everyone at the creek.

“Give me time,” he whispered—but it was a plea. He had wanted to be everything she deserved before—to give her what she deserved. “Give me time, and be mine, Eshe… I love you. Be my mate—be Alpha by my side.”

A legacy. She wanted a legacy. He didn’t know if he could do it, come time.

As it turned out, he was truly a selfish man.