Ciara thinks you hit me, I told Donovan through the bond.
Does she? His voice was filled with surprise, and a hint of pain.
Why does she think you’d hit me? Did you hit her? It seemed like a crazy thing to ask—something I coul
dn’t even believe I was asking—but I had no idea why Ciara would think he’d hit me unless it was a pattern for him.
Don’t be ridiculous! I never laid a hand on her. He grunted. Maybe I didn’t protect her as I should’ve. There are some regrets on my end, but I never hit her. I’d never abuse my pack members.
“He says he never hit you. So, what’s the deal? Why do you think he’d hit me?”
Her mouth dropped open. “I didn’t—I don’t—You’re talking to him? Now?”
No way. I wasn’t going to answer her question until she answered mine. “Why do you think he’d hit me?” I asked again.
She was quiet for a second; her lips pressed firmly together before she finally spoke. “Because he was so mad. His power and anger hit us before he got here. It was terrifying.” She paused. “You’re true mates?”
“Yes.”
She closed her eyes and sighed. “Then there’s no avoiding it.”
“Avoiding what?”
Ciara rubbed a hand across her forehead. “You can’t…” When she met my gaze, her eyes were glowing orbs of amber. “I didn’t know how to tell you, especially after everything you’ve been through. And I was worried what would happen if I told you and then Donovan found out. But I can’t be afraid of him or his pack now.”
Now she had my undivided attention. “Go on.”
“I know you’ve been wanting a mate, but I have to say this or I won’t forgive myself.” She let go of her apron. “Don’t join the Irish pack.”
That was impossible. I had to be a part of Donovan’s pack. He was my mate. Unless he decided to leave his own pack, I had no choice. But I needed to know what her reasons were. Especially after Cosette’s warnings.
I braced myself before I spoke again. “I know there are reasons we stayed away—Dad always said the Irish pack wasn’t friendly—but everyone in it can’t be bad. Can they?”
“Aye. It’s bad.” Ciara shook her head. “Some wolves are okay enough, but others… Donovan’s gone too often with his Council work, and when he’s there, he forgives too much.”
Leather creaked as I shifted in my chair. “That doesn’t sound good.”
“Aye. ‘Tisn’t.”
I grew cold as I thought about the implications of what that meant.
“He might be your mate, but you’ll have to watch your back. There are people in the pack who want to control it. They won’t like you intruding. They’ll also know that taking you out will weaken Donovan, and for some of them, that’s a heady temptation.” Ciara paused. “Are you sure you want to do this? It’s not too late to back out.”
I blew out a breath. “There’s no backing out. We’re true mates.” Whatever problems his pack had with me—or him for that matter—I’d have to deal with them.
“Just be on the lookout. If it’s anything like it was when I left, Vivian runs the whole show, and she’s been in Donovan’s bed.”
Okay. So that stung more than I wanted it to. I knew in theory that Donovan had been with other women, but theory was different than having a name. A real person who had occupied his bed, possibly for decades.
I leaned back in my chair. “How can Vivian run the pack? She’s his third, right? With an Alpha like Donovan, that doesn’t seem possible.”
“One would think, but…” She trailed off, lost in thought.
I had to ask. I’d always promised myself I’d leave Ciara’s secrets alone, but I had to know what brought her to America. “What happened to you? What did the Irish pack do to drive you away?” Especially if she was the weakest Were in the pack, she should’ve been protected. For her to seek refuge with our pack yet be allowed to avoid joining, it had to have been bad.
She fidgeted with the papers on her desk before releasing a sigh. “You cannot tell anyone what I’m about to tell you.”
“Of course.” I wouldn’t betray her. Not ever. She was the reason I’d made it through childhood with my self-esteem intact.