Page 12

It’s been days since we made love, and she has barely even looked at me.

It’s the only thought in my mind as I watch Clara move around the kitchen, chatting happily with Nico as she makes breakfast. He’s in a good routine now at school and seems excited to get to class.

Nico looks up and smiles at me. His face is so open and trusting, it feels like it could tug my heart right out of my chest.

I don’t know how I lived without him all these years. It’s like I found a piece of myself I never knew was missing.

Clara leans over to talk to Nico again, and her long, dark brown hair falls over her shoulder and catches in the light. I’m mesmerized by her. Since that night in the woods, my infatuation has only gotten worse.

I thought finally quenching my thirst between her thighs would give me some relief, but I’m more frustrated now than I was before.

That night, we walked slowly back through the forest until she began to stumble with fatigue, and I scooped her into my arms. When we came inside, Clara managed to have enough energy to check on Nico to make sure he was still sleeping soundly, then we went to the bathroom to shower together.

It was almost more exciting than the sex—rubbing her gently all over under the running water, her body slippery with vanilla-scented soap. I caressed all her bruises and small grazes, whispering to her that she was the most beautiful creature in the world and I’d never hurt her again.

Unless she begs me to.

I look away from her, focusing hard on my breakfast to take my attention away from the tightness in my pants.

I thought after that, everything would be okay. I never imagined it could make her more distant.

The morning after we had sex in the woods, we woke at the same time, and I let myself get lost in her beautiful, golden eyes. When I reached for her, she turned over and got up without even speaking to me, and it’s been like that ever since.

“Can I come with you to practice?” I ask Clara and Nico.

Nico’s eyes brighten, but Clara cuts in. “Thanks, but it’s okay,” Clara answers, her tone smooth and even. “I have some grocery shopping to do, and I’m meeting Winnie as well. I know you have a packed business day, and you’ll be late if you come with us.”

I want to tell her that I’m the alpha, so they can damned well wait for me if I want to be late. But I see a look in her eyes that makes me stay silent.

She’s been actively avoiding being alone with me. I have to respect her wishes and stay away, even if I don’t understand why.

Clara finishes getting Nico ready, then they head off to practice, as I go to the hall for a pack meeting. Everyone is assembled, even Mother, and I try to push Clara out of my mind so I can concentrate.

“I’m glad all of you could come,” Sherman says, gesturing for me to sit. “As you all know, I’ve been discussing adding more members to the council so we can have new perspectives on what the pack really needs, and how to progress in the future.”

“Cliff was firmly against this,” Mother answers. “He wanted only first families on the council as a matter of pride and tradition.”

“I completely agree,” Sherman says with sincerity. “But we have all the first families right here. Jacinta is a widow with no children. Delia and Nathan have no children, either, and no connected family who are interested in taking a seat.”

“I have two sons,” George mutters irritably.

Sherman gives him a sympathetic look. “And none of them have attended a single meeting,” he says regretfully. “Kyra is the youngest member on the council, and I was only able to convince you to let her in because of a connection to the Deakins family, who left town years ago.”

“I came home to discover my heritage,” Kyra puts in enthusiastically. “And I found a home. I’m pleased to be able to speak at council, and I agree with Sherman completely.”

I see my mother narrow her eyes at Sherman very briefly before anyone else can notice. I know she doesn’t buy the story of Kyra’s family connection and resisted adding her to the council.

“If we go on as we have, there won’t be a council,” Sherman says woefully. “We need to take action, and soon.”

“I’m not done yet, you insolent pup!” George splutters. “Who the hell do you think you are?”

“I am assuming that you have people in mind, Sherman?” my mother says coolly, completely ignoring George.

“It’s true I have put out feelers around town,” Sherman answers agreeably.

This time, when Mother narrows her eyes at him, she doesn’t hide it.

Then, almost as one, the entire council swivels their heads and looks at me.

Jesus fuck. They want me to make a final decision right now?

Even though this is an important topic, I can’t focus on it. My hands still ache with the need to touch Clara’s skin, and her taste lingers on my lips, tormenting me. Before I even realize what I’m doing, I stand up and turn towards the door.

“Galen!” other snaps, and I wince at her tone.

“Look,” I answer, turning back to the council, “Sherman has a point. I think we should bring in the newcomers and interview them at least. Then we can go from there.”

A babble of protest rises, and for the briefest moment, I see a sharp smile of triumph on Sherman’s face.

What the fuck was that about?

“Your father would not be happy, Galen,” my mother says firmly. “Class status used to mean something.”

“No decisions have been made yet,” I answer firmly. “I have other business to attend to, if you’ll excuse me.”

Like finding my mate and pinning her down until she writhes in my hands and begs me to fuck her.

I turn and leave the hall, so distracted by the thoughts of Clara that the meeting vanishes from my mind the second I go through the doors. I walk towards the soccer field near the school, hoping to find her there with Nico.

When I arrive, I see her in the parking lot, standing by herself next to the car.

She’s gone to great effort to make sure we’re never alone together—even going to bed early and getting up before me to avoid any talk before bed or first thing in the morning. This might be my chance.

She’s so lost in thought, she doesn’t see me approach. Just before I can call out to her, she stiffens and looks over her shoulder.

Like she knew I was coming.

How could she, though, without wolf senses?

“Hi,” I say, trying not to sound too excited. “Can I join you?”

“I’m just picking up Nico,” she says, turning away from me.

“I know,” I answer, following her. “We should go together.”

“Fine,” she answers, giving me a small smile.

I reach out and take her hand. She almost shakes me off, then remembers we’re in public and leaves her fingers loosely entwined in mine.

I thought getting the chance to touch her would alleviate my stress, but instead, it feels like holding a burning-hot ember that is searing my hand and melting my bones. Shivers run up my arm, making my body tense as my focus narrows to where my skin touches hers.

When we reach the soccer field, I’m almost relieved when she lets go.

“Clara…” I say, almost reaching for her again. She turns and looks at me over her shoulder, her face guarded and her eyes low.

“Galen,” she answers. “I’m sorry if you thought the other night meant something. I’ve been trying to show you as gently as I can that it was just sex, a moment of passion. It doesn’t mean I’m going to start falling all over you like I did when we were kids.”

I feel like I’ve taken a lance to the chest, but I swallow my pain quickly, nodding and taking a step back.

“Thanks for clarifying,” I say in an even tone. “That’s all I needed to hear.”

She walks off ahead of me, and I can’t help staring at her toned ass and the smooth curves of her hips.

I’m lucky I’ve had a lifetime of hiding my emotions. This one really stings, and I feel like I just got my heart ripped in two.

As we cross the field towards the small group of kids, one of the mothers breaks away and comes running towards Clara.

“Clara, I’m so sorry!” she cries.

“What is it, Annabelle?” Clara answers, her voice high.

“It’s Nico! He ran off the field mid-play, and we haven’t been able to find him.”

“What?” My voice roars out of my throat, frustration, pain, and fear all coming out in that one word.

“Alpha Galen!” Annabel stammers. “I’m sorry, it happened so quickly, none of us could stop him! The coach is tracking him right now—”

I don’t wait to hear what else she says. In two long strides, I’m halfway across the field, tearing off my clothes and shifting. Clara’s footsteps hammer behind me as I take off through the tree line and into the forest.

I can track Nico’s scent and Dennis’s, the soccer coach. I don’t have to track too far before I find him in his human shape, standing warily at a cliff edge.

“Where’s my son?” I roar, coming out of my wolf shape and landing beside him in one long leap. Dennis shivers visibly in response to the threat in my voice.

“That way,” he points across the outcrop. “It’s the edge of our territory, and I wasn’t sure if I should go ahead without your approval.”

“Track back through the woods,” I almost snarl at him. “Make sure no one else is in danger.”

He shifts and heads back in the other direction just as Clara catches up to me. I point along the ridge and shift again, running along the rocky outcrop and down into a lush valley.

As soon as I get out of the strong wind, Nico’s scent gets stronger, and it’s mingled with the tang of fresh blood.

No! Oh, please, God, no.

I fly down the mountain as fast as my paws will carry me, thinking that I’ll tear Dennis apart if anything has happened to my son. Mixed with the fear and blame is a sick, rising guilt that I can’t punish anyone for this but myself.

I let him down. I knew how vulnerable he is, and I let him down.

As I get closer to the valley floor, I hear snarling and the lowing of cows. Sheep frantically bleating cut through the other sounds, and the scent of blood gets thicker in the air.

Oh no.

As I come through the trees, I see Nico in a field, locked into his wolf shape. His eyes are wide and crazed as he tears around the paddock, ripping sheep and calves to pieces.

There is already a few dead, their shredded bodies scattered around. Nico doesn’t even seem to notice that he’s killed them as he herds the remaining animals and keeps taking them down one by one.

This is wrong… he should have stopped after his first kill. The blood and death should have satisfied his wolf. What’s wrong with him? It’s like he’s in a frenzy!

The last thought comes with a sharp edge of fear like nothing I’ve ever known.

What if he’s damaged? Beyond help? What will I do, then?

I shove the terror away, running towards Nico as hard as I can. It’s only a matter of time until the farmer comes to protect his stock, and he’ll certainly bring a gun and shoot to kill.

I slide to a stop not far from Nico and throw my head back, letting out a loud, long howl. He turns around immediately, baring his teeth and snarling at me.

Nico, it’s me! I yell telepathically, trying to reach the human side of him.

He shows no sign he heard me, just begins to stalk towards me, blood dripping from his jaws. Sick fear rises in my guts as I realize he doesn’t recognize me, not as his father, nor as his alpha.

This is bad.

“Nico!” I hear Clara screaming behind me, and I realize she’s followed me all the way into the valley. I leap between her and Nico, desperate to protect her.

“Let me go! He’s my son!” she screams, trying to shove me out of the way.

Not right now, he’s not.

“Nico!” she screams again. “Get out of my way, Galen!”

Then, Nico attacks. He leaps at us, snarling and snapping. Clara screams again as I meet Nico in mid-air, and he crashes into me, knocking all three of us to the ground. I manage to roll over Clara and spring up between them, keeping Nico away from his mother.

I rush forward, barking and snapping at him. Nico shivers and pricks up his ears, letting out a little yelp.

“Don’t hurt him!” Clara yells. “Nico!”

I’m not going to hurt him, but by God, he’s got to calm down!

Nico whines, pawing at his nose, then gets down on his belly. He flattens his ears as he looks up at me, but his eyes are still wide and unfocused.

He knows he’s outmatched, and he’s submitting, but he still doesn’t know who we are.

I stalk over to him, growling softly to keep him down. Clara rushes up beside me, and I try to stop her from touching him, but she shoves me away and wraps her arms around his neck. In my attempt to keep her back, I touch Nico at the exact same time.

There is an incredibly loud snap, and my own howl of pain rings out around the clearing as I’m thrown back. Clara hits the ground not far from me, both of us as stunned as if we got hit by a flash grenade.

“Mom?” Nico whispers.

I look up as my wolf shape fails me, draining away and leaving me bruised, battered, and very painfully human.

Nico is sitting in a small crater of blackened ground, as if lightning just struck or a meteor hit the earth right where he’s sitting. I’m still too stunned to move, and I look over at Clara, who meets my wide-eyed stare with frantic, panicked eyes.

That was magic! Witch magic!

My shock begins to give way to a deep, gnawing fear.

How does Nico have magic?

And how can I help him if I don’t even know what he is?