Page 10
Thomas
We drive for three days. Me, Lola, Caine, and Godrick.
We decided to leave Calum behind to watch over the pack. Godrick wouldn’t let Caine come alone and as an Alpha himself could help defend us. I’m not sure it’s the best plan to bring the two strongest Alphas along for this, but no one was listening when I voiced my opinion.
We reach the Thorn Pack and step out to make our presence known. A tall, muscular man with red hair approaches us with a snarl until his gaze lands on Lola.
“Lola?”
“Silas.” She nods but her entire body is stiff.
“Why are you here? You left us when we needed you.” Anger suffuses his words and my wolf bristles.
“Watch how you speak to my mate,” I interject, leaning forward as I fight to keep my animal in check.
“Who are...” his words taper off as surprise clouds his features. “It can’t be.”
He staggers back a step before toppling over and landing with his ass on the grass.
An older woman emerges from a nearby house with a bright smile, and I can’t help but smile back. She seems familiar, her scent of clean laundry washing over me. She winks at me before helping Silas to stand.
“Stop overreacting and invite our guests inside.”
“But, Mother...”
“Don’t but me, boy. Alpha or not, I can still whop your ass,” she says, slapping his shoulder. “My grandson is always welcome, as are his friends.”
Confusion swamps me, my wolf receding in my mind. “What are you talking about?”
“You are Liliana’s boy,” she replies. “I know my daughter’s scent anywhere. I knew you would come back. Where is your mother?”
Lola gasps before a hand covers her mouth. “No.”
“What is going on here?’ Godrick demands.
“Come inside,” the old woman says and gestures to the large log house on the left. And we can all talk. I think there is a lot to work through.”
Everyone files into the kitchen, taking a seat around the little wooden table. I stand behind my mate, my hands resting on her shoulders as she quietly cries.
“Let’s start from the beginning,” Silas says softly, staring at me intently. “Why are you here?”
“My name is Caine. I am the Alpha of the Katu Pack, and we’ve come here for your help,” he says calmly. “The Hunters want to exterminate all shifters, including the dire wolves.”
“We have an agreement—” Silas starts but Godrick cuts him off.
“Yes, we know. With Mattias. He doesn’t intend to honor that he is just keeping you for last,” he explains. “Sorry, my name is Godrick.”
Silas glares at Godrick, clearly not believing a word he says.
“They don’t care if a shifter is wolf or dire wolf, or even a damn house cat. They lock us up and experiment on us until we are no more.” My words drip with venom as Silas stares at me. “They caught my mother when she was still pregnant with me. I grew up with those monsters. I should know.”
“Your mother?” the old woman asks. “Do they still have her?”
“No, ma’am. She died when I was born.”
At my words the old woman starts crying along with my mate. Lola rises from her spot and holds the old woman tightly as they grieve for someone I never knew.
“You don’t know who you are?” Silas asks, his voice softer and tinged with sadness.
“I’ve only known I’m a dire wolf for a week.”
“Your father’s name was Ivan, and he was the greatest Alpha we have ever had, his mate was Liliana. She was pregnant when she went missing. Ivan went mad before being shot by a human thinking he was a real wolf.”
I nod, sad that I never knew these people. “But it still doesn’t make any sense.”
“You’re the true Alpha of the Thorn Pack,” Lola says, clearing up all the confusion.
****
L ola
All of us spend the night at Miriam’s—Silas’s mother and the pack elder—home. There isn’t much talking and even less sleeping. Each of us is lost in thought after the revelations yesterday afternoon. Thomas makes love to me gently as the sun rises in the early morning hours, kissing me and marking me again.
I know he is going through a lot and having me so close to the man that refused me is pushing all is buttons. He needs to make sure I smell like him and wear his mark to remain in control of his beast.
We go downstairs for breakfast and eat in silence. When Silas joins us, Thomas speaks for the first time.
“Do I need to challenge you for the pack?” he asks Silas.
“No. It’s your birthright.” Silas lowers his head. “The pack has already been made aware of the coming change.”
Thomas nods in agreement. “How many members?”
“Fifteen adults, two children,” Miriam says. “Have you decided to stay?”
“No, I already have a pack. I have a home, and my mate is not comfortable here,” he says taking my hand on the wooden top as he glares at Silas. “But I will say three things. The Thorn Pack no longer works with the Hunters. They killed my mother, a dire wolf, and kept me locked up my entire life. We will work together to sort through this mess and take out the hunters before they can cause any more damage.”
“And the third thing?” Silas asks, anger already suffusing his tone.
“The Katu Pack will welcome any member from the Thorn Pack,” Caine cuts in, smiling at Thomas. “We are a blended pack, a mixed family of sorts. Wolves, dire wolves, panthers, and even a human live with us.”
“Excuse me?” Silas looks like he may puke at the thought.
“You can stay up here on the mountain until your numbers dwindle, the hunters come for you, and you are extinct,” I say, glaring at him. “Or you can open your mind and see that your old-fashioned ways are not helping your pack.”
“I want to go with you,” Miriam cuts in.
“Mother?” Silas asks in shock.
“Lola is right, Silas. And I want to know my only grandchild.” She cups Thomas’s cheek with a soft smile. “You’re an adult. Live your life the way you want but this is my choice.”
Her words are final as she walks deeper into her house. Two hours later, Miriam is sitting between me and Thomas, chatting his ear off as we drive home. Behind us, three vehicles follow.
The Thorn Pack is no more. We are all Katu wolves now.
The End