Page 7

S eeing my massive, strong-as-fuck, hockey-playing werewolf boyfriend hurt is crippling. Having to be the strong one while he gets through this isn’t hard at all, though. Knowing how it feels to learn things about your own life, I’m just glad I can be there for him and make sure he learns to lean on the people that care about him.

Walking out of their massive townhouse in my wolf’s body felt weird, but now I understand them living more secluded against a wooded area. We take off towards the forest, thinning with the change in seasons. I notice I’m seeing Khaos’ black wolf for the first time. His black wolf is different than Slate’s. Where Slate is a true deep black, a little shorter and wider, thick with muscle, Khaos’ wolf’s fur is so black it looks blue in the sunlight, and he’s built taller and leaner. If I had to guess, his wolf could be underestimated, but I have no doubt he’s just as strong, if not stronger than most.

The final wolf I’m unfamiliar with must be Runa. She’s smaller than the guys but bigger than me. She’s timid, staying close to Khaos, so I take the moment to break away from Roman for a moment, after a nuzzle, of course. Her wolf has a stunning, unique coat. At first glance, you’d only see dark charcoal-colored fur, but a closer look shows the much lighter, almost white undercoat. I wag my tail and try my best to look like I’m smiling as I approach. I want her to feel welcome, and maybe we can even be friends. I run around her and Khaos and back to Roman, knocking his hips with mine when I catch back up. When I look back at her, the rest of the men are catching up with us, leaving the twins bringing up the rear.

We run through the wooded area and cornfields for a couple of hours until our wolves are panting and my soul feels lighter. Roman looks better too. I think he spent some of the time talking to his men through their mind-link that I’m still obnoxiously jealous of. I want to be able to communicate with him and my brothers. I need to remember to ask Roman how that can work with Khaos.

When we enter the garage, you can hear all of our nails click-clacking against the cement, and we’re stopped by Miss Tilly. “You can all just stop right there. You’re not all tracking dirty paws through the whole house.” She chuckles and points to the piles of clothes laid out across the beds of the trucks and one of the cars. “Leera, dear, you can come over here,” and she points to my clothes and a standing partition that I hope she didn’t drag down here just for me.

I focus on returning to my human body and am still amazed as I watch my fur recede and my smooth, freckled skin return. I’ve barely gotten my clothes on when Roman sneaks up behind me and scoops me into his arms, eliciting a small squeal from my lungs. “Thank you,” he mumbles into my neck.

“Always,” I reassure him. “Now let’s go finish this heavy discussion.”

We all make our way back to the main floor and are greeted by a small lunch buffet spread across the kitchen island.

“Miss Tilly, you do too much!” I mock-scold her. I appreciate everything she does for us, but I don’t want her to wear herself out. “Nonsense, I’ve been taking care of my boys for years. I wouldn’t have it any other way,” she simultaneously beams while putting me in my place.

Benny throws what looks like five turkey pinwheels in his mouth at once and squashes her in a giant hug with a muffled, “We’d be woft wifout you Miff Tiwy,” causing us all to laugh. Of course, the men more huff than actually laugh, but you get the picture.

We stand around the kitchen, snacking and chatting with one another in one of the most relaxed conversations we’ve had in days, and it feels so good. We definitely need to be going for more runs if this is how it feels.

The peace is broken when Roman chooses to go ahead and continue the earlier discussion about where we all stand. “Why didn't you come to me?” he asks, his voice gravely and pained.

Runa gingerly sets down her glass of tea and meets his eyes. “I wanted to. So many times. But I couldn't be sure whether or not it was safe. I've watched your entire hockey career, and what I could of you, but I couldn't be sure you weren't just like him.”

Roman growls, but she lifts a hand to stop him. “Let's turn the tables then. If you only knew what you could see from the outside, what would you have thought? A man who was raised by this monster. Who then rises within the ranks of the military and becomes the Commander of the King's Werewolf Army. But wait, there's more. He's betrothed to the King's advisor's daughter. The same man who went with the monster to obtain the prophecy. You hold no public grudges against your father. You only recently ended the engagement with India. You tell me, Roman, what would you think?”

I already know the answer because I can completely see her perspective as someone who also came from outside their ranks. He knows too because he hangs his head and lets out a strangled, “FUCK!”

“I'm not mad at you for doing what you had to do to get through that life. I'm not mad at you at all. I just couldn't risk it. No matter how many times I've wanted to just…die…” she chokes on a fresh sob, and growls erupt around the room. “I couldn't let her sacrifice mean nothing.”

I can’t hold back anymore. I dash across the kitchen and wrap her in a hug. I don't even know if she likes hugs, but anyone who has felt those feelings alone deserves a hug. She slowly returns the hug, wrapping her arms around my upper back as she's probably five inches taller than me. Once her arms have completely wrapped around me, the dam breaks, and this strong woman shatters into pieces. I hold her tighter as she cries against me. Slowly, my amazing new family joins me, one by one, starting with Miss Tilly, who joins us with an, “Oh, my sweet dears,” while she pats our backs. Khaos and Roman come in simultaneously and crush us in a loving and comforting werewolf-sandwich-hug.

“Come on, everyone in!” Benny yells, dragging Slate and Andrei into the group hug.

The twins look apprehensive, but after a sideways glare from Roman, they also join the moment.

The men nearly immediately begin pulling away, but I have a rule when it comes to hugs. I never stop hugging first. You never know how much someone needs it. So, I continue to hold on until I feel Runa begin to pull away, and our watery eyes meet each other's. “Roman, she gets to stay, right? She's been through so much, and now you two can get to know each other.”

Roman's face softens as he smiles. “She can stay if she would like, but that's up to her and her Alpha.” He nods towards Khaos.

“Wait. Before you decide completely, there's one other thing.” Runa pulls her hands from mine to wring them together in front of her, eyes darting around the room.

I'm looking between Roman and Runa, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. “What is it?”

“You don't have to tell him if you don't want to,” Dolos says, the edge in his voice startling me.

Runa shakes her head. “If I'm going to be getting to know my brother and creating a life here, I won't start it with half-truths or whatever his deal is…” She pauses, her cheeks turning pink. “The twins are my mates.”