Chapter 74

He heard his own words and they made him ill. How he hadn't seen this sooner, how he hadn't realized for so long… he shook his head and bit again tears. He had not only failed Amelia , he'd failed his people. And he was back now to put it right. To correct what he could, and to ensure that his human beings have been in no way put in that position again.

Gabriel dropped his head into his hands, unable to seem at any of them. “I sent a message six months in that I felt a new Alpha should be chosen and followed. Someone who was on the ground here and may want to see what was needed. I entreated you to caution about the process. Not to weaken yourselves. I thought… I'd been told you were being loyal and waiting. It was all lies,” he spat. “All lies. And I fell for it. I will not again!” He lifted his head then to meet their eyes, to let them see that he understood what he'd done, that he knew he'd failed them. And he was determined to by no means see