Page 245 of Cruelly Bitten

I matched his position, only I had a few inches on him. A good twenty or thirty pounds more in muscle, too. However, while I physically bested him, he mentally beat me. At almost seven hundred years old, my grandfather possessed a wealth of knowledge.

And I’d been taught from a young age—by him—to respect my elders.

“Grandfather,” I replied, my head tilting downward in the requisite show of courtesy. I might be the Clemente Clan Alpha, but I’d only achieved that position through this man’s help. I would forever bow to him.

He studied me for a long moment, his dark eyes—the same color as mine—radiating an intensity I felt to my very soul.Something has already happened, I told Silas and Luna.Or it’s in progress.

I’m still at least five miles away from the airfield,Luna said, her mental voice holding a note of exhaustion to it.

Wolves were fast.

But sprinting took a lot of energy.

And we couldn’t maintain a top speed for too long.

Be careful,I murmured to her.

I’m fine,she bit back.

I know you’re fine, little mate. That doesn’t mean I can’t worry about you.

Between you and Silas, it’s a wonder I’m even allowed to take myself on a walk,she grumbled back at me.

I’ll catch her,Silas told me.Nothing will happen to her on my watch.

I heard that,she snarled at him.

I know you did, little moon.His voice softened for her, his adoration clear.

I would have smiled, but my grandfather’s stern expression grounded me in the present, seizing my full focus. “What’s going on?” I asked him. “And don’t tell me ‘nothing.’ I’m young, not naïve.”

He nodded, his lips pursing as he took my measure. “You have a decision to make, son. One I know won’t be easy for you and your triad. But I hope you’ll take the right path. The only one, in my opinion.”

My eyebrow inched forward. “You’re going to have to explain it to me a bit more before I can agree one way or the other.”

He blew out a breath, his chin dipping into another nod. “I know.” He glanced around the forest, his attention going to a space between the trees that revealed a stream of sunlight. “Come on.”

I frowned but followed him.

That frown deepened when we entered a small clearing.

My grandfather bent to pick up a black duffel bag that he must have carried here. Whether that had been in human form or wolf form, I wasn’t sure. But whatever path he’d taken, my animal hadn’t sensed him until he’d made his presence known.

As a former clan alpha, he was powerful. Perhaps even more so than he let on.

“Here,” he said, tossing me a pair of jeans. The label showed they were my size, confirming that my grandfather had arranged this little meeting.

He pulled on some pants as well, the bag falling to the ground to reveal additional clothes inside. I couldn’t tell if they were for him or for my mates. I suspected it might be the latter, but I didn’t ask.

Because it didn’t matter.

He was clearly trying to divert my attention. But he was going to do it in a manner that provided me with information, too. That was my grandfather’s way—distract with purpose.

“I’ve taught you the olden ways,” he began. “How packs used to be about family. Love.Loyalty.”

“Yes. Alpha pairs were revered. Mates worshipped instead of frowned upon. Triads openly accepted.” Very much not the way of the world now, but I was determined to help our clan return to the heart of being a wolf. To embrace our emotions. To be a true pack again.

“Exactly.” He sat on the ground, his lithe movements confirming his health. Most wolves his age would be geriatric by now. But not my gramps. He was as spry as a century-old shifter.