For a moment, silence hung between them, thick with unspoken accusations. Then Simon sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I didn’t want it to come to this, Steve. But I can’t stand by and watch you throw everything away for… for her.”
Steve’s jaw clenched. “Aria is my mate. You know what that means, Simon. I didn’t choose this, but I can’t deny it either.”
Simon shook his head, frustration lining his features. “And what about the pack? What about your duty to them? This bond… it’s going to destroy us, Steve. You can’t just expect everyone to accept it, to accept *her*, after everything that’s happened between our packs.”
“I’m not asking them to accept it blindly,” Steve replied, his voice tight with restraint. “But I won’t hide it forever, either. We need to find a way to bring our
