The Runt novel Chapter 31

AJ is sitting on the couch watching and listening silently while I lay out her options to Penelope – ultimately, she is the one in control because I refuse to hold my power over her any longer. She also isn't speaking, her eyes not missing a thing as I stutter and fidget nervously.

"The first option is of course, to stay here and be mates with me in title only. I will choose a Luna who will produce an heir for the pack while you'll-" I start before she interrupts me.

"While I'll live quietly somewhere tucked away, out of sight, out of mind," she concludes – correctly. I nod reluctantly to show her that while it is an option – and it was part of my father's original plan, it isn't the one I prefer. When she doesn't say anything further, I continue.

"You can choose to be my mate and Luna, also in title only. You'll fulfill your expected obligations to me and the pack, including providing an heir but we'll never be anything more than that – essentially... business partners I guess," I propose. This is also not my favourite but at least we'd be 'together', in some form anyways. Her face remains expressionless, giving me no indication which idea appeals to her most, if any.

"You can give me and our mate bond a chance, see where this goes... see if we can be a real couple. You'll stay here – we'll spend time together, hopefully you will let me take you out on a date or two," I say, giving her a small but sincere smile. Again, her face remains impassive, but her eyes continue to follow my every move.

"Or you can decide to leave – wherever you decide to go to, I will help you in any way I can. If you decide to go home, I'll drive you there myself. If you want to start over somewhere new – I'll give you the money and help you find a place, whatever you need... you can count on me." I truly hope she doesn't choose the final option, but I'll respect whatever she decides, even if it will break my heart and ruin Phoenix's life forever.

Her she-wolf is giving nothing away, I have no idea which way she's leaning, Phoenix warns me. He is unsettled that Nova isn't communicating with him in any way but has no difficulty knowing where the blame lies – with me, one hundred percent. The only reason we're speaking now is because he got to kill the old man, which has given him a strong sense of redemption and confidence. If Penelope chooses to leave outright, without giving me a chance, it is likely I will lose Phoenix forever – he won't forgive me.

If I lose her, I'll lose him.

PENELOPE, CHOICES

For the first time in a long time, my future is looming ahead of me and I'm excited about it. I have choices and not just whether I want to continue breathing – actual, true decisions about how I want to live my life going forward. A few weeks ago – gosh, a few hours ago I wouldn't have allowed myself the chance to dream of such possibilities. I believed I was condemned to a dark and foreboding existence of repeated sexual assault at the hands of a monster until he tired of me, and then Goddess knows what would have happened to me - I can't imagine it would have been good.

Yes, you are! If throwing money at us appeases his guilt, fine. If it gets us out of here and if that is what you want – then it doesn't matter, only the result will, Nova reassures me. As always, she knows exactly the right thing to say – whatever his motivation for offering me money it would help me so take it for what it is. That's all I'm saying – the man couldn't be more transparent if he tried. He's desperate to make up for everything he did wrong, but it is up to you if we stay or not, she says mentally to me. Alpha Kace watches me quietly, knowing I'm having an inner-dialogue with my she-wolf as we decide our future.

It isn't up to just me, Nova, this affects you as well I remind her, but she shrugs it off. I'm honestly rather stunned by her nonchalance.

If we stay with them, I will forgive Phoenix in time – his role isn't as big as Alpha Kace's is anyways, she notes casually. I reluctantly agree before she continues, and if you decide to break the bond, I'll have to learn to live with it regardless of how I feel about it she wisely concludes. With that in mind, I look Alpha Kace in the eye with a steady gaze and give him my answer - it is harder to say then I expected it to be.

"I'm willing to try."