Mate (Bride, #2)

by Ali Hazelwood

“Were the huddle leaders fuckwaffles about…stuff?” “No more than usual. They said that I’m emotionally compromised over you. Which is true.” His thumb traces my lower lip. “Has been true for a while, really.” “Maybe. So you have—so you have feelings. Big deal.” I might be indignant on his behalf, which is ridiculous. Koen doesn’t need me to protect him or advocate for him, and yet here I am. “It changes nothing. Every single decision you have ever made has taken into consideration the good of the pack.” “Yeah. They would agree with that.” “Good. Because it’s bullshit. You can—you can be in love with someone and still be a fantastic Alpha. The thing is, I love you, and mate or not, I wouldn’t love you half as much if you weren’t the kind of person who deserves it. And one of the reasons you deserve it is that you care.” My stupid eyes are leaking. And Koen… Koen is failing, abysmally, to bite back a smile. “Everybody agrees with you, killer. Including the Assembly.” “Good. They fucking better.” “That’s why they rescinded the covenant.” I don’t get it. Not at first. “What?” “They know what happened. They know how you stood up to me. They know that I let you be our bait. They know that you saved my life. They said exactly what you said.” His hand runs through my hair. His eyes follow its path. “That your presence doesn’t influence my ability to do my job. But I think they’re wrong.” “Wrong?” He nods. “I think it does affect me. I think you make me a better leader.” His smile ...