Chapter
When they’re gone, I lift my head to look at Christian. He watches me stroking the tears off my check.
“I’ll keep you safe,” he says softly,
“I know you will,” I say, just as softly.
His eyes search mine, before looking down at my lips. When he looks at me again, he leans in slowly to press a soft kiss against my lips. His warm lips feel like they’re welcoming me home, like I belong right here in Christian’s arm, kissing his lips, and feeling the heat of his body warming mine.
He’s just started to deepen the kiss when I hear his phone buzz in his pocket.
He pulls back, still watching me as he answers his phone. “Alpha Christian.”
His body goes rigid as the voice speaks on the other end.
“Alpha Christian, this is Councilman Johnathon. We are very concerned about the medical information you submitted to the Council regarding Alpha Colin’s care when he was injured. Four council members including myself will be arriving at Alpha Shane’s pack tomorrow morning to begin a full investigation into the suspicious death of Alpha Colin.”
“Thank you, Councilman. We have obtained some additional information today that has led me to believe that Alpha Colin was murdered. I was about to put together a report to send over to you,” he
says.
“Don’t bother. You can fill us in when we arrive in the morning See you tomorrow. Alpha.”
“See you tomorrow.”
Shane
As soon as we get outside, I leap and shift. I don’t bother to strip off my clothes, I just need to run.
“Shane!” Sebastiana shouts, but I have to get away. I felt like I was suffocating in there. I heard what Nancy said when we were talking in the cells, but it somehow didn’t register until Enya said how our father had suffered, suffered at the hands of our pack members who were supposed to be caring for him.
I force my wolf not to howl with the pain we’re feeling. I know Christian is right. There are others who were part of this treachery and if they hear my mournful how, they may figure it out that we’re on to them.
wolf’s paws I let my mind go blank and I focus on the rhythm of my hitting the ground, feeling the air rushing through my fur, listening to the sounds of the forest around me.
Eventually, I realize that there is another pattern of paws hitting the ground behind me. I turn and see Sebastiana’s sandy colored wolf following close behind me. I almost trip over my own paws when I see how gorgeous her wolf is.
I slow down, turning to look at her. She slows down as well, walking up to me. I shift, crouching down as her wolf slowly approaches me.
“Tiana,” I whisper,/sliding my hands into her fur and burying my face
against her neck.
Everyone calls her Sebastiana or Sebi. I told her I wanted my own nickname for her, something that was only mine. When I asked about Tiana, she said no one had ever called her that before. So, I made it my name for her. Only mine.
She presses her fur against me, holding me up when I practically collapse against her.
“Why did he have to suffer, T? Why?” I whisper against her fur, my voice breaking.
She whimpers softly, just enough for me to know that she’s here for me but not enough to let anyone nearby know where we are.
