Those words should have comforted me. Instead, they struck like a blade. How could he say that while standing so close to another woman?
“But I love you more, Luvena,” he continued softly. “You are the one who makes my blood burn. She is only my responsibility. My family chose her.”
“Then leave her.”
“It is not that simple,” Jareth said quietly. “Especially now. She just lost our pup. She is weak with grief. If I reject her now, the other packs will tear my reputation apart. And my family wants a true heir of the Alpha bloodline.”
His voice hardened.
“If you became pregnant now, before I ended my bond with her, they would never accept it. My grandfather would strip me of my future. And what about your brother? If he learns I am sleeping with his sister while my mate is still mourning her lost pup, he will challenge me. It would destroy the alliance between our families.”
“So I must live like this forever?” Luvena’s voice trembled. “Hidden in the shadows? Just your secret?”
“Of course not,” Jareth murmured gently.
I could picture him reaching out, holding her face.