Chapter 183

[ 847 words ]

Sage

“I don’t need help,” I say to the annoying wolf behind me.

No reply.

Not that I was expecting anything.

The male talks less than a monk who took a vow of silence.

On any other day I would be fine with it. I would prefer it. But today, when my life is once again changing in ways I have no control over, my nerves feel raw and the silence is like a blade.

His presence, a reminder of my powerlessness.

I look over my shoulder at IIya and he stands straight as a soldier.

“Go help Dante and Ransom with the kitchen stuff. I’ll meet you down there when I’m done,” I try again.

“No,” he replies.

My eye twitches.

No.

Just no.

Nothing else.

“Look, I can appreciate that you are doing your job but unless my panties are going to grow hands and try to strangle me, I’m going to be fine.”

“I never said you wouldn’t be.” His voice is low, a gravelly baritone that seems to vibrate in my bones.

Commanding. Seductive. Dangerous.

A voice made to invoke either fear or lust.

I ignore it. Nothing good can come from dealing with wolves.

I did that once and looked where it got me.

Alone.

Hunted.

With an innocent child to protect and love.

“Then why are you standing there?” I snap. Then a thought hits me and I narrow my eyes at him. “Do you think I’ll run? Is that it?”

“Tell me you haven’t considered it,’ he challenges.

Of course I have. What person in their right mind wouldn’t.

Living as a human amongst wolves isn’t what I would call a dream scenario.

“I would never allow Dante to be vulnerable,” I assert.

He takes a step closer.

Just a single step.

Close enough to make sure reminded of his size, his dominance without actually intimidating.

“I believe you. Which is the only reason I don’t think you’ll run, now. But you have thought about it.”

I am widening my stance ready for a fight. “And you’re here to what? Stop me?”

He raises a brow. “I’m here to remind you that Dante is a wolf and he needs a pack. Particularly the guidance of a dominant male as he hits puberty.”

My spine locks with offense. “Don’t you dare presume you know what’s best for my son.”

“It’s a fact. Not a presumption and it has nothing to do with your mothering. It has to do with logic and hormones.” He looks at me as if he’s peeling back layers the longer he stares at me. “ But you know this already.”

Something vulnerable squirms inside of me and my defenses lock into place in response.

Before I can say anything Dante walks through the door.

“Got anything to take down. We already loaded the boxes you lined up downstairs.”

I shelf my anger and use the excitement on his face as an anchor.

“Sure. I’m almost down here.” I turn back to the box and tape up another one. “Did you get everything you wanted out of your room?”

“Sure did,” he chirps.

Dante grabs two boxes and begins to take them downstairs.

A moment later Ransom comes and grabs another two.

I finish quickly, doing my best to ignore IIya standing in the corner. It didn’t last long before the heat of his large body was behind me, taking the remaining three boxes and gesturing to walk in front of him.

I don’t look at him as I go downstairs, glancing at the four walls that have been put home, put in safe haven, ever since we stepped into black ridge all those years ago.

At least I still have the Golden Brew.

It is one of the few things that is still mine. One of the things that will remain, mostly unchanged.

Well, except for the enforcer who will now be accompanying me during my shifts.

When we walk through the front door I head towards the dark van parked in the driveway.

I refuse to linger, to give this moment time to poke and provocate the raw open wounds this decision has highlighted.

“Don’t worry if you missed anything. We can always pick up whatever you forget when you come back for your shifts in the shop,” Ransom says..

“Thanks but I think we have everything,” I say.

IIya heads to the back of the van to put the last of our stuff in the trunk

“I call shotgun,” Dante bellows, racing for the front passenger seat.

I let a smile overtake me.

No,matter what I’m feeling, Dante can always make me smile.

“Rude you not going to let your mom sit up front? I joke.

“Don’t be so slow next time,” he teases back.

‘Fine, but don’t come to me when you are craving almond croissants.’

We all slip into the van. Ransom is sitting the the driver’s seat and guides the truck to the Nightbane pack territory.

When we arrive there is a small buzz of pack members awaiting our arrival.

I watch them carefully wondering if it is merely the presence of a hybrid that’s got them all giddy.

Ashlynn runs up to the car, her parents behind her.

“We came to help if that’s okay,” she says.

“That is very thoughtful of you sweetheart,” I say, stepping out of the car.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Dante says with a frown.

“I wanted to,” she assures him.

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