Chapter 10 - Alanis #3
Alanis couldn’t breathe. All eyes in the training ground were on her now, and she could sense the criticism, the guessing. What just happened was a confirmation of Javi’s words. She was a diversion. A burden. A mistake.
She walked off, her eyes full of tears which she would not allow to fall.
Behind her, she heard Rael call her name, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t stop. All she wanted to do was escape or be anywhere other than there.
She had already gone halfway across the clearing when a hand touched her shoulder, softly.
“Alanis. Wait.”
She looked around, anticipating either Rael or perhaps Elle. Rather, she had come face-to-face with Silas.
The pack’s Alpha looked at her with an expression that she could not read. It was neither anger nor pity. “Come with me. We need to talk.”
Silas took her out of the training grounds, along a trail in the woods, which came out in a small clearing.
A fallen log lay there, old and moss-covered, and he pointed to it, gesturing for her to sit.
Her body was on high alert, awaiting the lecture.
Waiting until he convinced her that Javi was right, that she had nothing to do here, that she had to get out before she could get into more trouble.
Rather, Silas sat next to her and said, “Elle used to sit here when the pack made her feel unwelcome.”
“What?”
“When I first brought her here, the pack did not accept her. She was human—is human—and my father had spent years telling us that humans were lesser and useless and we certainly couldn’t have a relationship with them, let alone bond with them.
” Silas had a faraway look in his eyes. “I tried to make things smooth sailing when she came here, but it was not easy to change years of tradition.”
Alanis swallowed hard. “So, what did you do?”
“I protected her. Against her will, as expected.”
“And they eventually came around. Once they saw what she really was, what she had to give, they knew that she was part of this place as much as anyone else.”
Alanis felt tears stinging her eyes. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I see the same thing happening with you. I love my brother, Javi, but he is still under the influence of our father more than he would like to acknowledge.”
“But he is not mistaken.” She pushed a stray strand of hair back. “I am a distraction. I am unable to shift, I am unable to make contributions in such a way that a typical pack member can, and I am causing problems between Rael and Javi.”
“You’re not causing problems.” Silas leaned back against a tree with a thoughtful look. “This pack has a history with outcasts and humans, most of it bad, courtesy of my father. We are attempting to change that, but it is slow; people are stubborn.”
“So, what am I to do? Wait around till they finally come to tolerate me?”
“No. You prove your worth.” He stated matter-of-factly. “Elle did it by applying her skills to assist us in the search for auction sites. She proved herself invaluable to the cause, and that was what made people look at her differently. You will find your own way of doing the same.”
“I don’t have magical abilities.”
Silas gave her a small smile. “You will be surprised. Rael is one of the good ones, and I’m not saying this because he is my brother.
He is a better man than I am, and he will not abandon you.
He will fight and make you crazy by being overprotective.
So, give him a chance. And above all, give yourself a chance to see where you belong here. ”
“And what about Javi?”
“I will take care of Javi.” Silas scowled. “When he crosses the line again, there will be consequences. You are now a member of the pack, whether he likes it or not. That is to say, you are under my protection as well.”
They strolled back to the training grounds in silence, and Alanis began to think about what Silas had said.
Maybe he was right. Perhaps this pack was not much like Caldwell, although there were some superficial resemblances. Or perhaps the Weston brothers were trying to build something nicer. And maybe she might be part of that.
As soon as they came out of the woods, she caught sight of Rael. He stood at the edge of the clearing. As soon as he saw her, he sighed, looking relieved.
Silas gave him a short nod and walked off, leaving them alone.
“I’m sorry I caused a scene.”
Rael shook his head. “You didn’t do anything. Javi was out of line, and I shouldn’t have hit him, but I am not sorry I did.”
Her mouth quirked up into a smile. “Very diplomatic.”
“I am not feeling very diplomatic at the moment.” His brows furrowed together. “Are you okay?”
“Getting there.” She looked over her shoulder at Silas, who was staring at them. “Your brother is very wise.”
He snorted. “Do not say that to him. He has a big enough ego already.” Rael stretched out his hand. “Can I touch you?”
“Yes,” she placed her hand in his. “You can touch me.”
His hands were interwoven in hers, warm and solid, relieving a part of the strain in her body.
Perhaps, Silas was correct. Perhaps this would do the trick, provided she gave him a chance.
And maybe, just maybe, she was willing to give it a go.