Chapter 8 #2
I pushed my hands through my hair as I tried to contain my frustration while I found the right words.
“He came to the Hollow; you both came to the Hollow as emissaries for Stonefang. He hid the fact that he was the alpha of Stonefang. He said you were there for pack alliances. We’ve never had an alliance with Stonefang.
He was there because he knew I was to be married, and Wolfe, being Wolfe, decided to make it a game. ”
“We were coming to your pack as emissaries. You were to be the last one we visited, because Wolfe wanted to do anything but go back to Blueridge Hollow. You know why, don’t you?”
I couldn’t meet his eye. “Me.”
“Yeah, you.” Killian continued, “Because you were the stuck-up princess who told him he wasn’t good enough for you.
Who told him he’d be better off leaving your pack and finding someone better suited to his station.
Was that it? It was,” he sneered. “Yeah, I know what you said to him, Rowen. We all do.”
“I was seventeen.”
“You were cruel and you were spoiled.”
I swallowed past the lump in my throat as I met his stern glare. “I don’t think this is a conversation for you and me to have.” I resumed walking. “This is between Wolfe and me.”
“Nah, you’re wrong. I think it is,” Killian said, not put off by my dismissal at all. “I think I’m the only one who will tell you. You turned him down. He got over it.”
The simplicity of that statement shouldn’t have impacted me as much as it did.
“We went to the Pack Council for Wolfe to be recognized and acknowledged as alpha of our pack, but do you know why we came to the Hollow?” He didn’t wait.
“It wasn’t because you were to be married, it’s because of the way that prick from Deep Hollows spoke about you.
He said, and I quote, ‘the bitch just needed rutted.’”
I winced at the terminology.
“It was me that asked the shaman who they spoke of. Wolfe knew it was you as soon as the shaman said the alpha was due to pass and had only one child, no sons. He walked out of that tent for you. He left the Pack Council for you. To make sure you were okay.”
We’d stopped walking, and I was fighting back tears.
“He asked me not to let them know he was my alpha. He asked me to pretend we were just two messengers. Why?” Killian stepped closer.
“So you wouldn’t feel intimidated. So you wouldn’t be put in the position of knowing what his station was.
He didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.
” Killian wasn’t holding back. “And then your father found out he was an alpha, and I can see his blood runs deep in you, because he tied Wolfe to that Hollow as quickly as possible when he named him his successor. And Wolfe? Wolfe, knowing it was that alpha who took him in when he was a helpless child, how could he say no?”
“He could have—”
“That’s not who Wolfe is,” Killian growled. “He doesn’t let people suffer. He doesn’t shirk his duties.”
“Neither do I!” I met his fierce glare with one of my own. “Neither do I.”
Killian stepped back with a huff of disgust. “You’re completely blind. Grandfather can see more clearly than you can.” He turned and started to walk away, and I saw that Cody stood not too far from us, along with his wife. They both were watching me, their expressions carefully blank.
“I’m not blind.” I felt the need to say it.
Killian looked at me over his shoulder and then turned back, shaking his head in frustration.
“Kill,” Cody warned, stepping towards him. “Don’t.”
“She needs to hear it.”
“Not from you, bro. This is for the alpha.” Cody laid a hand on his arm. “Let it go.”
“I need to hear what?” I asked them. Neither of them spoke. “Now you’re quiet?” I demanded incredulously.
Cody glanced at me. “Go to Wolfe’s place. We’ll have someone bring you food.”
“I want to know what you won’t tell me.”
Thalia sniffed loudly. “I want clear skies and no storm on the horizon because I have crops to harvest, but I’m not going to get it.”
I looked west and saw dark storm clouds. I loved storms, but they weren’t ideal for the harvesting season. Still, I understood the message: you would learn nothing more from us. Stop asking.
I almost, almost demanded they speak, but I knew not to fight. I was stuck here for Luna knew how long. I had enough enemies; I didn’t need an entire pack on my back, too.
“I don’t know why you think I’m so bad,” I told them quietly, knowing there was more than just them listening.
“Yes, I hurt him when we were younger, but look at how much he’s done.
He has this pack, who are so loyal to him that they left their homes for him.
He has Blueridge Hollow, who are learning from him.
He has a lot. He’s done a lot.” I slowly started to make my way up the hill.
“I’m sorry a mistake I made ten years ago taints me so much.
I’ll try to stay out of your way.” I looked back at Thalia.
“I can help…if you need help with it, with the harvesting, I mean.”
She dipped her head in acknowledgment but didn’t confirm or deny. At Wolfe’s door, I pushed it open and went inside, my heart heavy.
I didn’t know how to turn their favor, but I knew one thing: if this was my pack because I was his mate, I was in for a very lonely time here.
With nothing else to do, I curled up on the couch, closed my eyes, and prayed to Luna to be able to leave soon.