The Designated Mate novel Chapter 65

"What other choice do we have?!" I demanded, angry he wouldn't even let me finish explaining my idea.

"We'll figure something out, but I will absolutely not send you into the fucking pack run by the one man who hates me more than anything else. Do you have any fucking idea what he's capable of? What he would be willing to do to you if he found out who you actually were?" he yelled, the vein on the side of his neck bulging and pulsing angrily as his face began to turn red.

"Of course I thought of those possibilities, that's why I said you need to hear me out! If you don't want me going alone, what if Kiara comes with me? We could mask her scent too. It's not uncommon for unmated women to travel to different packs together in search of a mate and you know it!" I challenged.

"You're right, but most women don't travel to that fucking pack because of the kind of leader my uncle is. And Kiara is my sister. Do you think my uncle's wolf wouldn't immediately recognize her as his family, masked scent or not? I'm not risking either of you, Poppy. You're both worth too much to me. End of discussion," he hissed before giving me a single look of finality that said don't even think about arguing with me about this.

I huffed out a frustrated breath but chose to keep my thoughts to myself. I understood where he was coming from perfectly. If the roles were reversed, I would have said the same thing he had, but I would've at least heard myself out completely. He's worth everything to me too, which is why I desperately want to find a way to get his parents back home where they're safe. I can see the hollow, pain-filled look in his eyes whenever he thinks about them. No matter how much he loves me and Kiara, there will always be a part of him that yearns for his parents.

I just can't stand by and let that wound fester inside him for the rest of his life.

"Could we have a moment alone, please?" I asked while eyeing everyone else in the room. They all nodded before quietly making their leave, casting questioning glances at both Knox and me before finally disappearing. I knew this was going to cause an even bigger argument when I suggested a slightly new idea, and that argument wasn't something we needed an audience for.

"What if we were only there long enough to get insight on your parents? It won't be hard for us to figure out their border patrol schedule while we're searching the woods in the chance they're still hiding there. After Grace and I gather useful info, we'll leave in the middle of the night. They won't have a trail to follow and what would they say to other pack's or the council about our quick come and go without sounding crazy and paranoid?" I said. He pulled the edge of his bottom lip into his mouth and thought long and hard about what I'd said.

"I just don't know Poppy. The risk is so high, it's just not worth it to me," he murmured while grabbing my hand and pulling me close. He spread his legs so I was standing between them as he sat in the oversized desk chair - though his massive frame made it look small.

"So how about I stay back here and train? Just enough so I can hold my own in case anything happens. I'm a quick learner. I'll get stronger and better while you guys search and if they really are being held hostage in his pack I'll be prepared. Grace and I will stay on our toes just in case anything funny happens. We can discuss escape plans and layouts of his land so I'm familiar with the grounds. We could do this, Knox!" I insisted.