“B-but he’s no more…” she whispers as she drops her gaze despondently.
Why does that single statement spark a flicker of hope inside me? Why do I not feel sympathetic for the omega she-wolf losing her mate, or a child growing up without a father?
While I’m mulling over the endless possibilities of Yvonne’s mate not being in the picture, Elias nods thoughtfully as he gathers the pieces of this puzzle. “From what Alpha Dawson has told me, Moonshine isn’t a safe place for you and your son.”
Yvonne nods to agree with Elias’s statement, and I clear my throat with a sudden surge of boldness that allows me to interrupt the main alpha of the pack.
It’s as if my impulsivity is encouraged by my inner wolf, the way it had been both times I saved Yvonne from Moonshine. But the words roll off my tongue, and I declare to the head alpha of the Snehvolk Pack, “I will take full responsibility for Miss Lang and her son.”
I hear Yvonne’s wheezing intake of breath when she gasps, but I keep my eyes pinned to Elias, who doesn’t appear surprised.
It’s almost as if he were counting on me to take responsibility for the omega. As the alpha who chose the lowest-ranking omega in the pack’s hierarchy as his mate, Elias is loyal to any member of the pack, regardless of their past.
Besides, it’s not like Elder Garret is still alive to manipulate my decisions or blackmail me into doing what he wants because he had a personal vendetta against the Langs.
I have nothing left but my duties as a responsible subordinate alpha. My role is to protect the pack, hunt the demon down until we find it, and put an end to it, and resume our lives between Girdwood and work rotations in Hope.
“I am, after all, the one who found her injured and brought her in,” I continue as I clear my throat, reminding myself that there’s no way I can have any ulterior motives when Yvonne Lang moved on so quickly from our night of passion.
This offer is solely to protect one of our own. Even if it means using every ounce of better judgment to maintain that I have no underlying motivations for wanting to protect her, I know this is something I simply must do.
“It’s only fair that I ensure her safety and that of her son’s.”
Elias nods, a smirk growing on his lips, as if he’s proud of me for my decision.
“Alright, then, Dawson,” he says as he pats me on the shoulder. “Since Miss Lang was a part of Snehvolk before, it’s only a matter of time before they begin remembering who she is. And remembering the past.”
“I’ll take care of it, Elias,” I assure him with a grin. “Yvonne will stay on my side of the village. It’s safer where I can keep an eye on her. There is a newly built cottage on my property.”
While Elias seems pleased that I’m stepping up and doing what any good alpha would, I notice Yvonne’s hesitation as she tersely turns her face away. It’s only when Elias leaves the room that the awkward silence between us is broken by her clearing her throat.
“Where is my son?” she asks warily, without looking at me.
“He’s being taken care of in the nursery. For now, all that matters is your healing, so you can leave the clinic and be there for your son.”
Yvonne nods shortly, keeping her eyes pinned to the torrent of whispering snow outside the room window. I’m left staring at her, wondering what’s going through her mind, while all I can do is recall that night we spent in the library together.
Did she makehimfeel the way I did that night?
How could he die and leave a phenomenal omega behind, along with his child?
Did I mean nothing to her, that she could so easily move on?
Chapter 5 - Yvonne
I never thought I’d see Dawson again—not after fleeing Snehvolk and leaving Girdwood for good. I never even thought I’d see this village again, and I don’t look forward to leaving the confines of these four walls that appear like a newly built structure.
Did the clinic move since I was last here? Did the alphas and elders finally decide to do renovations to better accommodate the three hundred members of the Snehvolk Pack?
Why do I care, anyway?
I’m probably just trying to distract myself with unimportant questions that don’t need answering.
This situation I’m caught in is an impossible one; how did I end up back in Girdwood when I swore I’ll never set foot here?
What’s worse is that it was all because of him.
Dawson Black.
