Bad Love: An Alpha's Regret (Leah and Aaron) novel Chapter 242

Chapter 242
AARON
I hate to have to break Leah out of the spell. Pull her from the warm glow of love we just shared, especially after spending precious time as a family, and seeing her get to be with our son for the first time.
But the rest of the world won’t wait.
I’m sure that as soon as the Council sorts out the mess of what happened with Tobin, Adam, and the end result of Leah becoming the Alpha of the Havelock pack, then the Council will be on our doorstep, demanding justice.
That’s why I sent James out last night to several local packs, discreetly feeling out who are my allies, and who is planning to stand against me. Tve also contacted the wolves within the Council who owe me favors, but so far, none of them have gotten back to me.
I’m trying not to think that’s a bad sign.
Part of me thinks I should simply go and hand myself over to the Council right this minute so I can protect Leah from the fallout
However, if I really thought doing that would be better in the long run for both Leah and Ethan, I would already be gone.
But the Council is known to be ruthless when upholding the laws to safeguard the packs and manage the integrity of our species
They aren’t likely to simply let Leah go without at least facing some kind of hearing, even if I do hand myself over in return for a promise to leave her out of things.
Anyway, I know Leah would never accept me doing such a thing.
Both Leah and her wolf love fiercely, with all that they are, and I’ve got no doubt Leah would pick a losing fight with the entire Council if she honestly thought she had a chance of saving me.
Plus, there’s the not so small problem of whoever’s been helping Tobin still embedded within the Council.
I’m not naïve enough to believe Tobin’s plans will die with him.
I know he told Leah something about the AI tech being gone the night Liam was killed, but I don’t buy it. Plus, from what little information I could glean from my own snooping, Tobin was the only one who could have so successfully taken everything and continued the project while Leah was in a coma for all those months
Anyway, it was no secret that Liam and Tobin were friends, and that included doing all kinds of business together. Frankly I would be surprised to learn that Tobin didn’t know about the Al tech.
“You don’t really think this will start a new pack war, do you? Leah asks, sitting up and then wrapping her arms around her knees, as if she’s cold.
I go over to the nearby couch to grab a soft throw blanket, and then wrap it around her shoulders.
“I wish I could tell you differently, Leah, but we need to be realistic about what we’re facing. I signed a legally binding document stating I wouldn’t take action against the Council or any of its individual members.”
“But that’s not fair!” Leah protests “Tobin tried to kill you. It was self-defense. And then Adam took our son and also wanted to kill you Surely the Council will take that into account-
“I’d like to believe so, but we can’t be sure who in the Council might have been helping Tobin, and how much sway they might have over the rest of the Council. All that aside, the Council in general have never been fans of mine. Since I gained the power of three Alphas, that’s truer than ever. They’re probably going to use this to finally take me down a peg or two.”
Leah shakes her head, gaze worried. “We can’t just sit here and wait for the Council to make its move. We should leave. Right now, Take Ethan and get as far away from here as possible until we can figure out who took the AI tech, who else was helping Tobin, and prove you didn’t kill him.
I have to admit, the idea is tempting
Just leave everything behind, take my mate and my son somewhere I know we’ll be safe and live a quiet life without all of these outside
Chapter 242
2/2
forces trying to tear our lives apart.
But I can’t simply dismiss or forget all the people who rely on us for protection and their livelihoods. The packs and the businesses, those aren’t simple things to walk away from.
Besides, if we run, then we’ll have to run forever.
For the Council it would be as good as admitting our guilt with a signed confession.
They will never stop coming for us.
And we will never know peace, and never stop looking over our shoulders.
Neither me nor Leah are wired that way.
We don’t run from our problems. We face them head on and fight.
And I know today isn’t going to be any different.
I reach up and gently cup Leal’s face in my hands.
“I don’t think that’s what you really want. I think we both know we wouldn’t be able to live with ourselves if we just walked away from our responsibilities-from our families heritages-disregarding all the people who are relying on us.
Leah sighs and drops her gaze. “You’re right. I would never feel right about things if we just gave up and ran. But now that we’ve got Ethan to consider, part of me wants to do exactly that, if only to keep him safe, and keep us all together.”
“I can understand that sentiment,” I reply quietly, thinking about all the extremes I’ve taken to keep Leah and Ethan safe recently
Leah looks up at me, love and trust in her gaze. “What do we do now, Aaron?”
“Now, we prepare for war.