6 Secrets Out

Connor POV

Seeing my sister genuinely happy in this place that has caused her so much pain, has warmth spreading through my chest. I often wondered over the years if we would ever get back to the way we were before my mother found Xavier. I hated myself for a long time for my part in her pain. I should have fought harder for her to stay with my father. I should have told her what we were the minute I was told. I should have been a

better brother.

Hearing her tell Della that I call her Oli because we are family felt amazing. We have definitely gotten closer over the years, but hearing her say that felt like the last bit of pain between us was completely washed away. I don’t know if she will ever be willing to live in the pack, but knowing she is my Oli girl again means everything to me. A stern knock on the office door startles me. I turn just in time to see Xavier, my mother, and f**king Bart walk into my office.

“I don’t remember saying enter.” “Connor, now is not the time for semantics. Bart told me you plan on banishing Collette,” Xavier says. “It’s not semantics. I respect you as the former Alpha, Xavier, but you need to respect me as the new Alpha.” “Fine, I apologize for barging in. Actually, Ace and Olivia should leave so we

can discuss Collette” he says.

“No, they won’t be leaving. Olivia is part of the reason that Collette is being banished. They should be here for this conversation.” “Fine then Olivia can stay but this has nothing to do with Ace. He needs to leave,” Xavier says. Before I can growl at his disrespect, Olivia does. Everyone’s eyes move towards her as Ace takes her hand in his. “Olivia what’s going on,” my mother asks. Olivia looks irritated by my mother’s question.

Olivia goes to open her mouth but, thankfully, Bart interrupts. “Alpha Connor, you can’t banish my daughter” Bart says. “I can and I have. She is probably being escorted to the gate as we speak. Kevin is very good at following orders.” “Connor, we need to discuss Collette’s punishment,” Xavier says.

“No, we don’t. My Luna and I both agree it is what she deserves. You appointed me as Alpha because you said you trusted my judgment and abilities. Now the first decision that I’ve made you are questioning me. I am

Alpha now Xavier, not you.”

“I think you are letting your emotions cloud your judgment and being far too harsh,” he says.

“Maybe if you had actually punished such crimes in the past these behaviors wouldn’t have continued. Collette is toxic and a bully. She picks on omegas and I will not allow her to continue to bully pack members

and defenseless pups. My decision is final.”

“Alpha Connor, Collette is my youngest pup and with Candace gone she is all that I have left. Please reconsider the severity of her punishment. I assure you she is sorry and will never say such vile things again,” Bart says. “You mean calling my sister and your daughter’s pup half breeds. Didn’t you tell Kevin that your daughter did nothing wrong by speaking the truth? Maybe you should join her in leaving the pack since you

look down on half-breeds. I am half human after all.”

I swear all the blood drains from his face. I fight the urge to smile as he opens and closes his mouth like a fish out of water. Did he really think that Kevin wouldn’t tell me everything that was said?

“Connor,” Xavier says my name, pulling my attention away from Bart. “I am not happy with Collette or Bart for what they said and they both deserve to be punished, but you are taking this too far, Banishment is a

26 Secrets Out

punishment reserved for severe crimes,” he says.

“That is no longer up to you, Xavier. I appreciate your advice, but I will not be changing my mind. Bart your daughter was just escorted out of the gates if you would like to join her.” “You won’t get away with this he says. I take a step closer to him and he practically p*sses himself as Cosmo pushes forward. “Are you threatening me Bart?” “Of course not, Alpha. I just meant the pack will never support an Alpha that is so cruel

as to banish a pack member for words that are said in anger,” he says before rushing out of my office.

Olivia POV

As soon as the pathetic ba**ard rushes out of the office, I want to leave right behind him. Evelyn’s eyes have

not left where Ace holds my hand in his. As soon as Xavier suggested that Ace didn’t belong here, I couldn’t stop the growl from escaping my lips if I wanted to. I was glad when that pr*ck interrupted Evelyn, but now

with him gone I can see she is champing at the bit to ask her questions.

“Olivia, why are you and Ace holding hands,” Evelyn asks. “Evelyn, honestly, I’m exhausted after the events of the night and that is none of your business.” I release my grip on Ace to move toward Connor. I wrap my arms around his middle. “Thank you for having my back Connor. You are going to be an amazing Alpha.” He presses a kiss on top of my head. “Always Oli. I love you” he says. “I love you too.” I release him to hug Becca.

I turn back toward Ace, offering him my hand, which he immediately takes. I intend to leave, but Evelyn steps in front of me. “Olivia don’t do this. It’s a mistake. You are meant to be with your mate, not a human. Don’t make my mistakes,” she says. Anger bubbles up inside me and I see red. Before I can think better of it, I slap her across the face. I’m immediately pushed behind Connor’s large frame as a growl shakes the walls.

“Xavier, calm down. Atlas, you will not harm my sister,” Connor says. His voice is authoritative and his aura palpable to everyone in the room. A wave of guilt immediately washes over me. Evelyn is pregnant. I shouldn’t have hit her. I step around Connor and the guilt intensifies as I see the red hand print on Evelyn’s cheek. Xavier is behind her fighting his wolf for control. Evelyn’s eyes meet mine as I take a step closer. “I am sorry, Evelyn. I never should have hit you.” A sad smile spreads across her face.

“It’s alright, Olivia” she says. “Like hell it is. I want her punished for striking the Luna of this pack” Xavier demands. “Mom is no longer Luna and, honestly, after what she just said, I’m surprised, that’s all Oli did to her. She basically just said that everything she had with our father was a mistake. That we were mistakes, so I completely understand Oli’s anger,” Connor says.

“That’s not what I meant at all. Look at all the pain I’ve caused Olivia by not waiting for my mate. I simply don’t want her to carry all the guilt I have over these last five years,” Evelyn says. “I told you a long time ago that I would never be you, Evelyn. I would never hurt the people I love for my own happiness. I meant every

word and I still do.”

“You say that, but you won’t be able to fight the bond. You will just hurt yourself, Ace, and Della. Besides, if you have pups you’ll hurt them too. I don’t want you to know what it feels like to have your daughter hate you, Olivia” Evelyn says. “I walked away from the bond, Evelyn. I did what I always promised I would do to not hurt the people that I love. I rejected my mate five years ago.”

My mother gasps and Xavier looks at me like I’ve lost my mind, “You rejected your goddess-given mate. How could you be so heartless,” Xavier says. “I’m going to explain this once and then we are done talking. You are no longer my Alpha and Luna. There is no reason for us to spend any more time with each other. Ace is my mate. Della is my pup. I realized he was my mate five years ago and, rather than selfishly rip his family apart for my own happiness, I rejected him.”

< 26 Secrets Out

I look at Becca who smiles at me. “My best friend neglected to tell me that Ace needed to accept my rejection. Today we both figured out that our bond wasn’t broken. We have accepted each other. Now I’m exhausted and ready to find a bed on the Beta floor.” “Does that mean your moving to the pack,” Evelyn says, excitement clearly in her voice. My heart starts to race because that thought never even crossed my mind when Ace and I talked about accepting each other.

A strong arm wraps around my waist and steadies me. “Evelyn, I believe that is a discussion between me and Olivia,” Ace says. “Of course” Evelyn says, stepping toward Xavier. Ace leads me out of the office and I swear! feel like I ran a marathon, but I know after what Evelyn said about me moving here, we still have more to talk about. “Ace,” I start to say as he leads me through the pack house. He turns me to face him before pressing his lips to mine.

The kiss is sweet and quiets the storm of emotions running through my mind. He pulls back, and I look into the eyes of the man I never thought I would get to have. “We are not going to worry about living arrangements tonight. Kevin told me you were having a sleepover on the Beta floor. He invited Della and me to join you. We have time to figure out how we make this work, Olivia, but one thing I can promise you is that you are never getting rid of me,” he says: “That’s good because I’m keeping you both no matter where we live.”