His Moonsilver Mate (Abby and Kade) novel Chapter 6

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U

1:02 pm

W

Chapter 6

Rade

A few hours earlier

I had sat at the council table and tried to convince myself I had made the right decision.

The meeting should have been simple. Rogue movements. Patrol rotations. Alpha Tiernan’s upcoming visit.

Problems I understood.

Problems that did not involve Abby Hayes.

Instead, my mind kept returning to her. Her face after the rejection. The way she had looked at me before

accepting it. The emptiness where the bond had been ever since.

Knox had barely stopped pacing.

“Alpha?”

I looked up. One of the elders was watching me.

“With Luna Cassandra stepping back from more of the day-to-day responsibilities, the pack will soon need certainty regarding its future.”

I already knew where this was going.

The elder continued, “Do you intend to choose a Luna?”

Every eye shifted toward Sloane. She remained perfectly still.

Before Abby, I would not have hesitated.

I folded my hands on the table. “I intend to take a chosen mate.”

A murmur passed around the room. Sloane’s lips curled in a gentle smile, expectation softening her expression.

All I had to do was say her name.

Knox surged forward.

Don’t.

My jaw tightened. “I’ll announce my final decision soon.”

The softness vanished from Sloane’s face.

Liam looked at me once. He said nothing.

The meeting ended minutes later. The moment the doors closed behind the other council members, Sloane turned

V

1:02 pm

“Why didn’t you say my name?”

My mother was still gathering her papers.

“Sloane-”

“No.” She looked directly at me. “You just told the council you intend to take a chosen mate. Who exactly do you think they believe you meant?”

“I said I’ll announce my decision soon.”

“Why?” Her voice dropped. “Is it because of her?”

I glared at her. “Sloane.”

Mother’s eyes moved between us. “Her?”

Sloane ignored her. “”Yesterday you were kissing me. Then you found her, and suddenly I’m standing here wondering if any of it meant anything to you.”

“It did.”

“Did?” Her eyes glistened. “So that’s it? The Moon Goddess hands you someone else and everything between us

becomes past tense?”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

I had no answer that would not wound her.

Because I had found my mate.

Because I had rejected Abby and still wanted her.

Because speaking Sloane’s name aloud felt more permanent than the rejection had.

“I need time.”

Her expression hardened. “You’ve had years with me, Kade! You’ve known her as your mate for less than a day.”

She took her papers and walked toward the door. Before leaving, she looked back at me and wiped a tear from her

cheek.

“If I’m still the future you want, Kade, then stop making me feel like I already lost you.”

The door closed behind her.

Mother and I were left alone. For several seconds, she did not speak. Then she returned to the table and sat

across from me.

Who is she?”

“I’m not discussing it

She studied me for a moment, then nodded. “All right. Then answer something else.” She reached across the table and placed her hand over mine. “Do you really intend to choose Sloane?”

“Yes.”

“Do you love her?”

“This isn’t about love.”

A faint smile touched her mouth. “A mating should involve more than administrative efficiency.”

I pulled my hand back. “You know what kind of pressure the pack is under.”

“I do.” Her expression softened. “And I know exactly what Sloane has given us.”

“Then you understand why she makes sense.”

“I understand why she feels safe. That isn’t the same thing.” Mother leaned back. “Sloane is capable. Strong. Disciplined. But a Luna is not only the person who keeps the pack running.”

“What else do you want from her?”

“Heart.” Her gaze held mine. “People should feel safer when their Luna walks into a room, Kade.”

“Sloane can handle the role.”

“Then why couldn’t you say her name?”

I had nothing to say.

She studied me for a moment, then stood. “Very well.”

At the door, she paused. “Sloane may be strong enough to wear the title. But that does not automatically make her the woman you should choose.”

She left before I could answer.

Liam and I didn’t leave the packhouse until late afternoon. He had barely spoken since the meeting.

I told myself I was going to his house because we still had things to discuss before Tiernan arrived.

Knox did not bother pretending to believe me.

As we approached the porch, muted voices carried from the inside.

1

1:02 pm

Jam opened the front door, and Abby’s scent reached me. It was faint now, without the bond pulling me toward

-her. But then another scent hit me.

Blood.

We rushed inside.

“…If you really believed he wanted you, you wouldn’t be this afraid of me.” Abby’s quiet voice came from the

kitchen.

“Afraid of what?”

I froze the moment I entered the kitchen.

Abby stood near the counter with one hand pressed over her forearm. Blood streaked between her fingers. Sloane stood several feet away.

Liam crossed the room immediately. “What happened?”

“She grabbed me,” Abby said.

“We were talking,” Sloane said at the same time.

I looked between them.

Sloane turned to me first. “She tried to walk away. I stopped her, she pulled back, and my nails caught her arm.”

Liam reached for Abby’s arm. “Let me see.”

“I’m fine.”

“Abby.”

She reluctantly held it out. The scratches were shallow, but still bleeding. Liam’s face hardened.

Sloane stepped closer to me. “I didn’t mean to hurt her, Kade. It was an accident.”

Knox stirred.

She hurt our mate.

Abby looked at me. “She came here because she thinks you still want me.”

Sloane stiffened. “That isn’t what I said.”

Liam’s expression hardened. “You had no right to come here and confront her.”

“I wanted to clear the air.”

“By grabbing her?”

11

Sloane snapped, “I said it was an accident!”

Abby shook her head. “You’re only sorry he walked in.”

“Enough.” I looked at Sloane. “Leave. Now.”

Sloane stared at me. “Of course.” Her gaze licked toward Abby, something bitter passing through it. Then she grabbed her coat and left.

The door closed.

Liam immediately turned back to his sister. “We need to clean the scratches.”

She pulled her arm back and turned toward the stairs. “I can do it myself.”

He followed her with his eyes. “Where are you going?”

“To pack.”

“Pack?”

Abby kept walking. “I’m leaving.” She disappeared upstairs. Her bedroom door closed.

Liam and I exchanged looks before we both followed her. When Liam opened her door, she was throwing her stuff

into a bag.

“What do you mean you’re leaving?” he asked.

“I’m staying with Chloe for a few days.”

Liam stared at her. “No.”.

Abby’s gaze snapped to him. “I’m not asking permission.”

Every muscle in my body tightened, but I kept my mouth shut.

Liam approached her. “Abby, you don’t have to leave. This is your home.”

“Not when I never know if Kade or Sloane is going to walk through the door.”

Guilt moved across his face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think.”