168 The weight of choices … Miriam Thete afternoon sun hung low in the sky , casting long shadows across the festival ground .


    Laughter echoed from nearby stalls as staff and servants continued to move about , making finishing touches to every arrangement .


    Beneath it all , Jeremys words echoed in my head , causing my blood to boil .


    What did you just say ? I asked .


    I said , he repeated icily , Tell your daughter to stay away from my son .


    This has gone on long enough and I wont take it anymore .


    I spun on my heels , my eyes zing with anger .


    Stay away ? Are you serious , Jeremy ? After everything , do you still want to y this game ? Grow up , already .


    Its been years .


    They love each other .


    Why cant you just let them be ? ― A bitterugh escaped his throat .


    Why must it always be me who sacrifices , Miriam ? His eyes darkened with old pain as he shot back .


    Havent I given enough ? I sacrificed everything for you .


    My son rotted in the dungeon for four years four years to prove his love for L ! And how does she repay him ? Thats enough ! I shouted , my voice matching my fury .


    My chest heaved as I red at him , my hands trembling .


    L didnt ask for any of this ! She never wanted your sacrifices , your sons grand gestures , or his twisted sense of duty .


    All she ever wanted was a normal life ! Jeremy stepped closer , his massive frame towering over me .


    The hatred in his eyes made my wolf want to recoil , but I stood my ground .


    I was ready to give up everything for you , Miriam , his voice dropped to a dangerous whisper .


    Everything .


    I was ready to ept all your baggage , all you mistake .


    I forgave you more times than I have ever forgiven anyone , but you chose him over me I flinched , my heart pounding in my chest .


    I knew where this was going , but I couldnt stop it .


    I met you first .


    I loved you first … his lips curled into a snarl .


    And you had to do that to me ? You betrayed me , Miriam .


    You threw me away as if I meant nothing .


    I wanted to fucking make you my mate … My throat tightened as I struggled to hold my ground at the weight of his usations .


    Jeremy , it wasnt like that- Dont , he interrupted .


    Then leaned back slightly , his gaze never leaving mine .


    Dont try to justify it .


    I loved how karma served you so well , Miriam .


    If not for that … The crack of my palm against his cheeks filled the air as tears streamed down my face .


    My breath hitched as I stared at him , my mind racing with emotions I thought I buried long ago .


    You have no right , I said finally .


    You have no right to bring up the past like this , to dredge up old wounds and use them as weapons .


    I made my choices ; Jeremy and I took responsibility for them and Ive lived with the consequences since then .


    But dont you dare me L for what happened between us ? 108 The weight of choices … His expression hardened as he stepped back , his jaw clenching tightly .


    Shes not innocent in this , Miriam .


    None of us is .


    I shook my head , fighting the tears that stung my eyes .


    You dont understand .


    Youve never understood .


    This isnt about us , Jeremy .


    This is about our children .


    Please , dont let your bitterness ruin their chance at happiness For a moment .


    Jeremy said nothing .


    He stared at the ground , then looked up , speaking quietly but with finality .


    You think youre protecting her , but youre only dying the inevitable .


    Secrets have a way of surfacing Miriam .


    And when they do , shell hate you for it .


    When she hears of her mothers escapades … he scoffed and continued I wonder what the Moon Goddess saw in you to have given you the silver mark … youre … he shook his head Youre a slut ! Tears streamed down my face as I spat .


    Youll never be half the man Logan is ! Fine , you met me first , but you were never intentional with me .


    We met not once , Jeremy , but several times .


    You always hesitated , then you went on all those stupid trips and left me alone … and by the time you finished hesitating , I had already made it clear that I shared a child with Logan .


    You were supposed to be the apprentice to the High Priestess .


    You were supposed to wait for me … it was just one fucking trip , Miriam .


    You think I didnt see women who loved me too ? I wanted to be fucked as much as you did ? Is it because I respected you … I respected your virtue as a Sigma and fucking waited and then you had a child with him , too ? It wasnt my fault .


    I was just a girl locked away in a temple for years .


    I didnt know anything .


    Years after we reconnected , and I found out Logan was your Alpha .


    I came clean .


    I told you we shared a baby .


    You said you were fine with it , but then you changed ! His lips curled into a sneer .


    It was fine until you started sleeping with him again , Mirima , he thundered , his voice echoing with rage , making the birds scatter from nearby trees .


    You were still sleeping with him ! You cheated on me repeatedly and you stand here trying to justify yourself ? Have you no shame ? His voice cracked and for a fleeting moment , raw pain reced the anger in his eyes .


    I loved you , Miriam .


    I fucking loves you so much that I didnt mind you already had a baby .


    Despite the years that had passed between us , I was ready to ept you again because my feelings never changed .


    Do you even know the things you made me do for that love … he stopped , drawing a shaky breath .


    Things I never did for my mate when she was alive ! My tears were rolling down my cheeks in a torrent , my heart breaking all over again as I looked at him through blurry eyes .


    I loved him , Jeremy , I mumbled .


    So much and my body … Jeremy leaned closed , his face inches from mine , his breath hot against my ear as he whispered , hatred dripping from every word .


    Then why did you lead me on ? Why did you make me believe I had another chance at love ? I had just lost my mate , Micim .


    I was heartbroken … his voice cracked .


    Would it have hurt you to care for me even a little ? I opened my mouth to speak , but Jeremy didnt let her .


    You broke my already broken heart , Miriam , and I cant forgive you for that .


    168 The weight of choices .


    He pulled back , his eyes still cold .


    And thats exactly the direction my son is going now .


    L doesnt love him , Miriam .


    She loves another man , just like you did .


    And yet , my son has sacrificed everything for her .


    His voice grew louder , filled with determination .


    I wont let it happen .


    Nathan will never marry L .


    Not on my watch.


    Shell leave him , shell go fuck Ramsey just like you always did with Logan .


    Please … I sobbed .


    Dont say that What will your daughter do when she learns that her mother is a home wrecker ? You broke his family you destroyed it .


    Vanessa was kind enough to let you stay , to let you nurse your daughter under her roof , and you had the audacity to sleep with her mater ? Constantly ? Youre cruel , Miriam .


    I staggered back as if his words had physically struck me .


    I tried to speak , but my throat closed up , and now words came out .


    Jeremy continued .


    His eyes were dark and cold .


    And all your talk about wanting the best for your child was all lies excuses you gave to remain at Blue Ridge because L would have been better off with anyone but you .


    Your … your slut like behaviour rubbed off on her , Miriam .


    And now my son is paying the price for it .


    My hands trembled as my voice finally returned , filled with a protective rage .


    Dont you dare speak about my daughter like that , Jeremy ! He scoffed , his lips curling into a bitter smile .


    Go to hell , Miriam .


    And with that , he turned and walked away , leaving me standing there , shaking with anger and despair .


    My mind kept reeling from everything Jeremy had said .


    His words echoed in her head , each one a painful reminder of the mistakes she had made , the people I had hurt , and the rtionship I had destroyed .


    2 I wiped at my tears with trembling hands , but they kept failing unstoppable .


    I wanted to scream , to fight back , to tell him that he was wrong but deep down , everything he said was the truth .


    But one thing I would never ept was the way he spoke about L .


    My daughter was not a product of my mistakes , not a reflection of my own failings .


    L was kind , strong , and good .


    She deserved love , happiness and a chance to live a life free of the shadows of the past .


    = Taking a deep breath , I walked back towards the pack house .


    I needed to find L and make sure my daughter was okay .