Lone Wolf (The Pack 5)

“She won’t. I’m her grandchild,” I answered quickly, hoping that would be enough. He smiled, a blend of pity and understanding lacing it.

“She is though.” I shook my head, not comprehending, and he explained, “She despises the wolf. She hates half of you.” He touched my brow above my amber eye. “I heard it in her voice when she spoke to me. Maybe she doesn’t do it intentionally, but she’s destroying part of you every single day.”

“She doesn’t hate me,” I denied automatically, not completely believing my own words. “She has her reasons,” I finished lamely. He stared at me doubtfully and I rubbed my neck awkwardly. “She won’t kill me at least. You, on the other hand….”

“Could die a thousand deaths and she’d smile every time,” he concluded and I nodded reluctantly. Gran had no love for wolf shifters, not after everything they’d cost her, and I knew if she could, she’d strip the wolf from me as well. “How could she hate someone she doesn’t know?” He shook his head. “I mean no harm.”

“And I believe you, but your definition of harm and hers are two very different things,” I said as I bent down, missing his curious expression.

“She said something about stealing her children,” Caleb declared, his voice lifting in question and I kept my head down as I schooled my expression, but it didn’t matter since my shoulders tensed automatically at the mention of my parents. I had the feeling he noticed, but he had the grace not to mention it.

“No idea,” I lied easily, straightening up. “You really should go,” I suggested once again, not really believing this would be the time he listened, but when his expression turned inward, regret surged through me.

“I really should,” he agreed, and I fought the desperate urge to take my words back. Leaving was what was best for him, even though I was starting to realize it wasn’t what I actually wanted. It seemed my brain and heart no longer agreed on what was best for me. “But I’ve never really been good at doing what I should do,” he continued and my attention jerked back to him as he grinned wryly. “Something Dom seems to think I should work on.”

Happiness crackled through me, but I managed to keep my voice calm as I asked, “Dom?”

“My Alpha,” he answered, and I felt his mix of emotions when he said the title.

“You love him,” I observed and his eyes snapped to mine in surprise. “I can feel it when you speak of him. So many emotions warring for attention. Only someone you love would cause that.”

He dipped his head, his own smile regretful. “It took me too long to realize that.” His gaze drifted west, in the direction of his own Pack lands, and I stuffed my hands in my pockets before I did something foolish like reach for his hand. “My relationship with Dom has always been,” he paused, taking a deep breath as he searched for the right word, “Complicated.”

“Aren’t they all?” I muttered under my breath as I considered the two people in my life that mattered most. My relationship with each of them couldn’t be more different, but I’d classify them both as complicated.

“My entire life he’s the one I looked up to, the one whose approval I sought,” he cleared his throat, casting his gaze down. “I’ve disappointed him time and again, but he’s never…he’s never given up on me.” He sighed then let out a chuckle. “And this conversation went somewhere I didn’t plan.”

“I don’t mind,” I replied softly, scuffing the ground with my foot, my toes curling in the loose soil. “It’s nice to hear about your Pack.”

Caleb glanced around curiously. “Is your Pack patrolling? I didn’t notice any scent but yours on the trail.” I leaned back, resisting the urge to fidget as I tried to come up with an explanation he would believe. His sharp gaze caught my movement as he added casually, “In fact, I haven’t noticed any wolves.”

Alarm blasted through me, but it wasn’t my own. “Paige,” I gasped as her emotions slammed into me. Instantly, I was moving, my feet pounding the ground as I raced into the forest. Caleb kept pace, confusion marring his expression as he gamely followed me without understanding.

She knows, Paige’s panicked voice broke through the distress and I knew Caleb heard her too when he replied.

Know what?

He’s still here? Paige questioned, sounding hopeful.

What does she know, Paige? I asked, striving for calm as I slowed my reckless pace now that I knew she wasn’t in imminent danger. Caleb followed my lead, jogging next to me as we waited for her answer.

That Caleb escaped, she answered quickly, then hesitated.

“Why do I feel like there’s more?” Caleb muttered aloud and I glanced at him, silently agreeing. Paige, she was going to find out I escaped, he told her patiently. You let me out, he reminded her.