Chapter 26
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
GARRETT
Never in my life has it been this hard to keep myself from touching a female, even just to hold her hand on the walk to camp.
Angel talks nonstop about the skills I’ve been teaching her.
I love listening to her excitement about…
well, everything. She’s a good student, eager to learn, and she’s making tremendous progress.
I’ve considered slowing her training to keep her with me longer, but that will only tempt me further than I can handle.
Six weeks on the floor, breathing in her luxe scent, trying to fall asleep despite being so damned hard all the time. My cold showers are getting longer every day. Using my own hand doesn’t dampen my desire for this female. And I’m not sure what will.
“I think I need more work in the snow. How long do I have? Another two months before the snow completely disappears?”
“Longer.” I hope winter drags much, much longer, so she stays.
When she considers herself skilled, she might decide to leave and find another pack.
I can’t stop her. That’s the infuriating part about training her.
I’m enabling her to leave, but the alternative, leaving her vulnerable and dependent on others is not something I’ll do to her.
“I guess I shouldn’t wish for a longer winter. That makes your job harder.”
“My job?”
“Rescuing shifters.”
She’s talking in generalities, but I know what she means. The shifters that I couldn’t save the day I rescued her. Survivor’s guilt. I know it well.
“Tess said Damien has a team ready to rescue them as soon as the snow melts in some nearby pass. I didn’t catch the name. I’m horrible with geography.”
“We’ll work on that too. The problem with rescues isn’t getting in, it’s getting out with injured shifters. Stolen trucks only help if the mountain passes are clear.”
The back of her hand brushes mine. For a moment I think she’s going to slip it into mine. My mood sours when she doesn’t, even though I’m the cause. She’s doing exactly what I asked of her… keeping her distance.
“Just be careful, okay?”
“My top priority.”
“Why don’t I believe you?”
Because I’ve been taking more risks these past two years.
“I hear there’s a sing-along tonight. Think you’ll join in?” She’s bouncing on her heels, those sky-blue eyes dancing with a light that makes my wolf howl in delight.
“Darlin’, be careful what you wish for. My singing scares off birds, children, and anyone with functioning ears. Besides, that sing-along is intended for the kids. I think.”
“What do you mean, you think? It’s your pack.”
“I haven’t exactly celebrated Christmas in a while.”
“Then you have to stay tonight.” She loops her arm in mine.
“You’re not playing fair, Angel.”
“I’m not playing at all. You’re staying. No excuses.”
“And if I don’t?”
“There are a lot worse things than mushrooms I can add to your stew.”
“Do I want to ask?”
“Definitely not.”
“You have a mean streak in you.”
“I had two older brothers who were always teasing me.”
“And?”
The smile that crosses her face turns devilish which threatens to harden my cock. “I withdraw the question. We’ll stay.”
“And you’ll sing.”
“Now, you’re pushing it.”
“Lina!” Sadie Lynn calls out from another trail merging with ours.
She’s holding hands with Pryce, which comes as a surprise and relief.
Sadie Lynn’s a sweet woman who deserves a stable guy and Pryce is a good shifter, one of the best. For a while there, I’d considered Sadie Lynn, but my wolf turned his head away at her. Unlike with Angel.
Damn, I can’t get this female out of my mind.
My gaze returns to Angel as she hugs Sadie Lynn. The two women quickly fall into conversation… and my Angel…damn, but she’s relaxed, and laughing.
This is what my Angel needs, to be with shifters, to form those bonds with others who make her smile.
“I guess they haven’t seen each other for a while,” Pryce says as we slow our pace to give them time to talk. “Damien says you’re training Angelina. Why?”
“You don’t think I can train a shifter who’s has so little training?”
“You’re doing it again. Getting defensive. You’re the best at infiltrating, and your training is top-notch. Marla was proof until—”
“Until she wasn’t.”
“When are you going to believe her death wasn’t your fault?”
“Knowing doesn’t mean it’s easy to just pick up with life where I left off.” I think about how I’ve actually been doing that lately. My presence at this celebration tonight wouldn’t have happened without Angel’s presence in my life.
Pryce stops walking. “You’re falling for Angel, aren’t you?”
Fuck.
I resume walking, leaving Pryce behind.
He quickly catches up to me. “Okay, I get it. I’ll butt out. Just don’t keep her too long training. Langdon’s eager for a shot at her.”
I stop short, my wolf’s hackles up and claws ready to rake down Langdon or any other male who even dares look at Angel. “Tell Langdon to go fuck himself.”
“Kinda harsh considering the hours he’s been working. The male’s overworked and heard Angelina has experience in supplies.”
Double fuck. I take a deep breath, my eyes once again on Angel. “She was the supply master for her pack. I’m sure she’d do great at it.”
“Which is why he offered her the position.”
This time I face him. “When was this?”
“Two days after she and Alex nearly drowned. Didn’t she tell you?”
“No.”
“She didn’t formally accept. Damien told her to take some time, think about it. It would be a good fit for her after… what happened by the river.”
I listen to her talking with Sadie Lynn, asking about the kids one at a time. “She loves those kids.”
“Damien thinks supply management would be a better fit than working with the kids.”
My wolf sits up, riled on her behalf, just like me. She never told me any of this. There was more to her request for me to train her than no longer being vulnerable. She wants to be with those kids, but doesn’t trust herself with their safety. Neither does Damien.
She could have told me. But she didn’t. Have I been that much of an ass to her?
“That’s why she came to me. To learn the skills she needs to teach them as well as keep everyone safe. I won’t let Damien force her into a job like her previous alpha.”
“Woah,” Pryce holds up both hands, palms out. “No one’s forcing her to do anything. Just saying Langdon’s looking forward to working with her.”
“I’ll talk to her.”
“Sadie Lynn,” Pryce calls ahead. “Come on, I have a surprise for you.” He jogs ahead and the two disappear up the trail, hand in hand. I wish I could do the same with Angel.
She stops at the edge of camp. “You okay?”
“I told you these pack activities are not my thing.”
“According to Sadie Lynn, you used to be here every year. You even used to do a little skit with Damien, something you two started as kids.”
I haven’t thought about those skits in years.
“Is that a smile, Garrett?”
“No. Definitely not.”
“Yes, it was! Don’t lie to me.”
As if I could ever lie to her. “It was a competition more than a skit.”
“I don’t care what you call it. It’s time to rock this place.
” She grabs my hand and we race into camp.
I’ve never seen her so excited to be with my pack.
Her energy, that beautiful smile, and the light in her eyes is contagious.
Makes me want to be a part of the celebration, be a part of my pack again.
Every part of camp has been decorated, from the tree with its garland and ornaments to the wreaths hanging on the cabin doors. Even the path leading down to the lake where the kids will perform has glass jars with candles inside lighting the way.
As we pass through the camp and head onto the lit trail, Angel gives me a push toward where Frank and Callen are hanging out.
“What are you up to, Angel?”
“I need to take care of something, and I don’t want you disappearing on me. Hang with your buddies and don’t walk off, shifter.”
“You’re bossy.”
“Only when I need to be.” She waves toward Frank and Callen. “Go, be social.”
Frank lifts a brow as he catches our exchange. Great, now I’m going to have to explain this to them, and I’m not even sure I know what this is.
I do as I’m told, walk over to Frank and Callen while my wolf laughs his ass off.
“Whipped,” Callen says.
“I’ve seen you with your mate,” I toss back. “And you’re an enforcer.”
Callen hides a chuckle. “Shit gets real when it’s just you and a female, doesn’t it?”
“You mated guys think you have it all figured out, don’t you?”
Callen stands straight, more cautious with me now. “I was just observing your dilemma. Nothing more.”
“What dilemma?” Frank asks.
“Garrett has no idea how to stand up to a female he’s in love with because he’s too busy fighting the idea that he loves her.”
I almost say I don’t love her. Can’t do it. Because I’ve fucking fallen for her so hard I’m tripping over myself. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“He does,” Frank adds. “We’ve both been there. None of these females is easy. You don’t want them easy, either. Takes all the fun out of claiming them.”
“You don’t know anything about Angel and me.”
“We see how she affects you, Garrett. You avoid everyone unless it’s work related—except Angel. She’s living in your cabin.”
“Only while I finish her training.”
“That’s a good excuse, but you’re not fooling anyone.”
“I’m sleeping on the floor.”
Frank raises a brow. “Because she wants you to or because you’re afraid of taking that next step with a female you clearly want.”
Where’s he getting this? I haven’t touched her.
Callen leans back against a tree. “You’re training her, Garrett. You swore off training anyone ever again after Marla went rogue.”
Rogue. It’s not the first time they’ve spoken of her that way. I never thought she’d attempt a rescue by herself. No backup, no true planning. She went against everything I taught her. All to prove herself. To whom? Damien? Me?
“Angel needs the training. For her confidence. She doesn’t ever want to be as vulnerable again.”
“You fell for that?” Callen says. “You’re not an idiot, Garrett, but you are blind. That female wants you. I’m betting she’d say and do anything to have you spend time with her.”
“Unlike Marla,” Frank throws in. “She had a thing for Tiberius, except he kept turning her away. She outright told him she’d prove herself worthy of him.”
“That’s why Marla asked me to train her? I thought she wanted to rescue shifters.”
“Rescue shifters?” Callen lets a derisive laugh loose as his eyes move. I follow his gaze. Tiberius is crossing the path up ahead, deep in conversation with Blade. “There was only one shifter she was interested in rescuing.”
“Face it, Gare, Marla played you,” Frank says, as blunt as ever. “You wouldn’t have trained her had you known the truth.”
I wouldn’t have.
“Going up against the WSSO alone just to gain a shifter’s attention…” Frank gives a low whistle. “… crazy.”
“Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“We didn’t put the pieces together until after. She fooled us all. Even Damien.”
“Wait, she went to him?”
“She asked to be included in scout intel meetings. He shut her down, fast. Told her to report back to you, complete her training and stop going over your head. He didn’t say anything to you because he saw it as ambition, nothing more. No reason to make her look bad to you or anyone else.”
Callen’s nostrils flare and he grins wide. I’ve seen that look before. He’s caught his mate’s scent. With extra vigor, he kicks off from the tree. “Princess!”
A dark-haired, dark-eyed female pops up from between three taller females. Kate. A smile blooms on her face the second she spots him.
It’s a scenario I envy, Angel lighting up the second she sees me. I’d love that, and having the freedom to call out to her, to know she’s mine.
“You deserve some happiness, Gare. That’s why we’re speaking up about the new female.
” Callen claps my back as he turns to leave.
“Don’t let this opportunity pass you up because you’re still blaming yourself for Marla.
That female used you.” He strides forward and lifts his mate high in the air then lowers her into a passionate kiss.
Frank’s similarly scenting the air. His face falls, Delilah nowhere nearby, I’m guessing.
“Part of having a mate is seeing her flaws… and still loving her, sometimes more, because of those flaws. You never saw Marla’s flaws.
You never cared to, but she saw yours… and used them against you for her own benefit.
Stop beating yourself up over a shifter who used you.
” He physically turns me in Angel’s direction.
“Focus on the one who likes you, and not because you rescued her. She sees the ass you can be and yet she’s still hanging out with you. That’s worth holding onto.”
“She only came to me for training,” I blurt, a hardness to my tone that earns me a bite from my wolf.
“Training…” Frank laughs. “She could get the training she wants from any guard here, including me and Callen if she doesn’t want the single shifters hitting on her.
There’s a reason she hasn’t considered anyone besides you or why she’s still hanging out with our pack.
You, you idiot, and if you don’t stop being an ass, you’ll lose her. Be a shame, too. She’s good for you.”
With one shove forward from Frank, I’m walking toward Angel, his words bouncing around in my head.
Why have I been pushing her away? Despite what Frank seems to believe, this isn’t just about Marla. It’s all about Angel. Something’s off with her, and I’ve been too afraid to discover what she’s hiding. Because then I might lose her—and I won’t survive that.