Page 106 of Touched By Moonlight

Chapter 29

Grayson

It tooka long walk in the Zen garden in human form followed by a quick run through the woods as wolf to clear my head after the incident in theworkshop.

As I ran on four paws, my heart racing, my body reveling in the senses of my wolf, my human half came to an uglyrealization.

Sienna wasright.

I had taken the coward’s way out by not revealing myself to my people. Sharing her magick would not be releasing her of the burden, but empoweringmyself.

It’s a tough thing to realize you’ve been a stupid ass when you’re a leader who’s supposed to be setting a highstandard.

Maybe too high. Maybe in trying to pass myself off as perfect, I cheated my people on sharing something special that might even make them feel more accepted. Maybe because I didn’t trust them to accept me, faults and all, I shortchangedthem.

I didn’t want her to walk away, but I had something important to do first. After shifting back, I called Nicolas. He was in the garage, getting the bike ready to take Siennaback.

“Go slow. Real slow. Take a detour to the campground to visit my mother’s grave,” I toldhim.

“That’s fucking romantic.” His voice wascurt.

“It is what she wishes and it will buy us time. I’m calling a pack meeting in the picnicgrounds.”

“Time for what?” A note of hope in his voice. Nicolas didn’t want to lose her,either.

“Time to for to do what she wishes and tell the pack I’m half Fionn Fae. If I do, maybe she will change her mind and live with us.” I took a deep breath. This wasn’t going to be easy, but when was life eversimple?

An approving hum over the phone. “About damntime.”

“Excuse me?” Igrowled.

He cleared his throat. “About damn time you leveled with everyone. And did something foryourself.”

I thought of Sienna, the only woman I ever wanted. “I don’t want to lose her,Nick.”

“Then we’ll help you get her back,” he insisted. “You’ve kept us alive, safe and thriving all these years. You’ll do anything for your people. It’s time we did something for you. You need Sienna. Stephan and I need her as well, but you need her the most. I’ve never seen you connect with a woman the way you connect withher.”

“I loveher.”

“Me too,” Nicolas said softly. “Now, go do what you do best – be our leader. I’ll take good care of ourSienna.”

Spirits lifted, I called a meeting of the entirepack.

They assembled outside in the picnic area we’d built for eating outside as a group on warm days. After they gathered, I asked Stephan to sit as well. Surprise flickered in his eyes. Usually my betas stand at myside.

But I needed Stephan to sit and be square withme.

Clearing my throat, I started what was probably the most difficult speech of my adult life. Even more challenging than the time I stood before my father, pleading with him not to abandonme.

“I want to talk to you today about something I’ve hidden from you. I did it to protect you, hell, I rationalized I did. In reality, I did it to protectmyself.”

The entire pack stared. I could hear the collective heartbeats of all of them, see the worry in theireyes.

“You came here because you needed a place to call home. You left behind your family, and everything you knew. It doesn’t matter who you once were, who sired you, what set you apart and made you different or where you came from or who believed in you. I believe in you and I alwayswill.

“I brought you here because I believed in you. We’re a family and you must always be honest with your family. Even if it means hurting the ones you love.” I struggled with the emotion clogging my throat. “I haven’t been fully honest withyou.”

Approval shone in Stephan’s eyes. He nodded, giving meencouragement.