I tense at the alpha’s name.
“Though maybe we can ask him to have someone else sit down with you to ask the questions. Someone less intimidating.”
“Like you?”
“I suppose, though that’s not something I typically do. I’ll let him know. Either way, when you’re ready to move on—if that’s what you decide—we’ll help you however we can. There are other packs out there that take in lone wolves like we do. We can set up a meeting and escort you. There are a lot of decisions to be made, but no rush, okay?”
“And if I don’t know which pack I want to go to, or none want me?”
“We have a few contacts in some of the cities, so there are other options.”
“A human city…”
“It’s not so bad, but there are challenges. I grew up among humans, in Florida. My pack stressed blending in, hiding who we were.”
“Were?”
“They’re gone now.”
I’m afraid to ask what that means, because deep down, I know. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
She heads into the kitchen. “Tea?”
“Yes, please.” I hate to seem rude after all she’s done to make me feel at home. While she’s preparing the tea, I slip out of the oversized shirt, pull the sweater over my head, and wiggle into the jeans. They’re a little short, but damn, it feels good to wear real clothes again.
“Thank you for the clothing, and pulling me out of that melee, but I think I should get going. That brute of an alpha will probably send his guards after me once he realizes I’m missing. I don’t want to get you in trouble for helping me.”
“You’re welcome. As for that brute, he knows where you are, and he’s already accepted you into the pack.”
I scoff. “You didn’t see how pissed off he looked.”
“Believe me, I know that look. By the way, Damien’s calm now, working things out with Garrett.”
I rush to the window and look out. Sure enough, the crowd and guards have disappeared. Only the alpha’s second remains, and the three of them are talking,peacefully. “How did you know?”
She rubs her hand against her chest. “I feel it across my blood-bond with Damien.”
I stumble back, but she quickly takes hold of me and lowers me to the sofa.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t come with me or talk so openly if I’d told you I was Damien’s mate… and that this is our house. Quite frankly, I needed to get out of there as much as you. Hearing Garrett describe what you went through brought back a lot of memories I’d rather forget.”
My wolf’s hackles rise. She doesn’t like deception, not even the hint of it. This time, I work on calming her. Tess doesn’t come across as duplicitous.
“You should have told me you were his mate.”
“Yes, and it was a gamble not telling you. But I wanted a chance for you to get to know me as Tess, not only see me as the alpha’s mate. Despite what Damien might say, I’m my own person first, part of a blood-bonded pair second.”
“Everything you said about Damien’s mate… you, I mean… was it true?”
“Yes, but it’s not something I like to talk about. Even before Garrett started spilling all the details, I saw your expression Lina… and I knew precisely what you were feeling. I also needed to get away from hearing more, but I couldn’t leave you there. And I figured you needed to get away from all the shouting as much as I did.”
I nod. “Why would you want to help me? Risk stirring up all those memories?”
“Because someone helped me when I needed it. They still help me. Look, Lina, I don’t know what’s going on between you and Garrett, or what you know of his past, but like you said, he’s a good guy, one of the best. But you don’t owe him anything just because he rescued you. You don’t owe anyone anything. Remember that.
“Damien will invite you to stay here for as long as you need to recover. Becoming a part of our pack will be an option, but it’s too soon for you to make that type of commitment.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
