Page 12 of Wolf Sacrificed
I wrapped her tighter in my embrace. “It was a risky move, showing him. But we didn’t have a choice. He was asking too many questions, and you’re right. Involving other agencies would only make things worse. We don’t need human eyes prying into our pack business.”
Her shoulders fell, and she groaned. “Do you think anyone from the pack saw? I hope I didn’t give anyone else more ammunition to use against me.”
I didn’t see anyone, and I hoped no one was lurking. “No, I don’t think anyone else saw. They’re probably back at the enforcer’s house inside and out of this awful weather. Your mom does make a mean breakfast casserole.”
Sloane laughed and cried at the same time. “We should probably get back there and face them. They’ll be wondering where we are.”
I spun her around so she faced me and cupped her cheeks. “I know it’s difficult. But you’re doing great.”
She mashed her lips together and squinted. “Not so great that people aren’t questioning me.”
I swallowed. My gut told me we hadn’t seen the end of Thomas’s questions. “It’s natural. I’ve heard of it happening many times. Especially now with so many other alphas here. But we’re going to make sure that you are prepared.”
I tucked my hand underneath her chin. “If it comes to a fight, Sawyer and I will make sure that you win.”
Her brows knitted together. “I hope that means that you’re going to train me and not do whatever that mate thing is where you guys are in my mind and fighting for me. I have to win the battle by myself. It’s the only way I can truly call myself alpha.”
I bowed my head. “I’ll keep teaching you how to fight. But being an alpha isn’t just about brute strength.”
Sloane’s face hardened, worry lines forming around her eyes. “I think we need to start training today.”
I wanted to tell her that she was wrong, that we could wait. But we both knew that would be a lie.
I wanted her to have the proper time to grieve and process what had happened to her father. But she wasn’t going to get that.
I rubbed my thumb underneath her eyes, wiping away some of the rain and maybe a few tears, too. “I love you, Sloane.”
Her shoulders fell, and she blew out a long breath. She laid her head on my shoulder. “I don’t know what I would do without you. Without Sawyer. You both have done so much for me.”
I swaddled her in one last tight hug, pressing a couple of kisses to her cheeks. “We should head back. They’re going to be wondering where we are.”
Sloane grunted and nodded. “You’re right. We do need to do that.”
I put my arm around her and pulled her close as we walked back through the trees. I stopped to pick up my shirt but didn’t bother to put it back on. It was so sopping wet that it had to weigh at least five pounds. My shoes weren’t much better.
I pulled her a little closer. Her sweater felt like ice against my skin, and I could only imagine how cold she must’ve been. I needed to get her inside and into a hot shower.
She shivered, and I ran my hand up and down her arm, though I wasn’t sure if it helped. My skin was as frigid as hers.
She peered over her shoulder, and her hand went to my heart. “We need to start rebuilding.”
“Tomorrow. Today you need to rest and pay respects to your father. You haven’t had the chance to grieve properly.”
I could feel her anger and pain simmering beneath the surface, like a giant rock that kept sinking lower in her belly. Her heart was broken, and the sorrow in it made my chest ache.
She let her head fall back to my shoulder. “How long do you think it will take to build the house back up?”
I looked over my shoulder at the remains. The foundation might be salvageable. It would be easier to tell once we could get a closer look.
“I’m not sure. But let’s worry about that tomorrow. Okay?”
She sucked in a deep breath and blew it out. “Fine. I guess it’s enough for today to hope Sheriff Adam doesn’t come back with the cavalry.”
I mashed my lips together as I exhaled through my nose. “It was a risk telling him. But he’s going to have a hard time getting people to believe him. Plus, he knows you, your family. We have to hope that will count for something.”
“I hope so. Luna knows we need something to go our way.”
She was right. As a new alpha, winning the fight last night wouldn’t be enough. She had to build the pack back up and improve morale. It wouldn’t be an easy task.
