Page 107 of Touched By Moonlight

“I’m not a pureblood alpha wolf.” Damn this was humiliating, almost more than the day my father kicked me out while the entire pack watched and applauded. I kept my spine straight and my gaze centered, even though I shookinside.

But Sienna was right. How could I expect my people to share their vulnerabilities if I did not sharemine?

“My blood is mixed, like many of yours. I have Fae blood as well as wolf.” Gathering my powers, I fisted my hand and then released the stream of pure blue energy, sending it sailing into a brickwall.

The wall blew topieces.

Sienna didthat.

My Sienna, who shared her magick when we made love. We had something beautiful and honest and real, and I screwed itup.

Silence draped the air for a fewminutes.

Then a small voice – Carmen’s – broke it. “Alpha, does this mean you’re leaving us to join theFae?”

Stunned, I sought her out, went to her side and crouched down. “No, sweetheart. I would never do that. I made a promise to you and your parents that we are a family now and I will do everything to protectyou.”

Carlos, her father, nodded. “You said we are all family, Grayson. And families help each other. What do you need fromus?”

I couldn’t speak, because I had half-expected them to bolt, or scorn me. Judging from the reaction they had given Sienna, why should I expectdifferently?

“You did not want Sienna here because she is Fionn,” I said slowly. “How am Idifferent?”

They looked around at each other. “Because you’re our leader,” one called out. “She was astranger.”

Emotion filled my chest, making it tight. My people trusted me to lead them. No matter what. Why had I waited this long to return theirtrust?

Elderly Marc struggled to his feet. He gestured to me. “Alpha, may Ispeak?”

Inodded.

“The way I see it, having Fae blood gives you even more power to protect and defend us. It’s an asset.” Marc looked around and others nodded. “You’ve sacrificed much to keep us safe here, give us a home where we feel like family. Your Fae power makes us stronger, because you arestronger.”

He continued. “Many of us wouldn’t be alive if not for you. You saved me, and my mate, and my darling daughter because she never would have left us there in the cold Alaskan tundra. You alone gave us a home, cared about an old man and an old woman deemed useless by others. I don’t care if you have grizzly blood in you. Hell, you could be an ogre and I wouldn’tcare.”

Pausing, he considered in that thoughtful way of his. “Well, maybe not an ogre. They can be downright mean attimes.”

Everyonelaughed.

“Can I go play now?” Carmenasked.

I nodded. “Everyonedismissed.”

The pack disassembled, but not before several came up and clapped me on the shoulder or offered thanks. Thanks for what, I wasn’t sure, but also in their eyes I saw relief, and realized Sienna wasright.

It felt good to honest with my people, to level with them about what I trulywas.

When everyone had left, Stephan finally approached. My beta embracedme.

He looked up, his eyes wet. “Thanks boss. Thanks for telling them. It makes me feel lessalone.”

“I never wanted you to feel alone, my friend.” I clapped him on the back. “Onlyaccepted.”

He brushed at his face. “Sienna taught me something. Real love is accepting someone for who they are, just as you accepted me for being wolf when I ate, and Sienna did as well. Real love is letting someone be free to choose their own path and loving them just the way they are. It’s choosing their joy over your ownhappiness.”

Wise words from a wolf who wanted his human side to show more than his beast. “Thank you,Stephan.”

He flashed his old, charming grin. “Now if Nick does his job, and makes her happy, maybe all three of us can convince her toreturn.”

My cell phone rang. Dread ran down my spine as I answered and heard Nicolas’words.

“Grayson, we have a problem. We need help, fast. Kallan has foundSienna.”