He finally looked up, his face contorted with pain and frustration. “I’m not sure there is a ‘together’ anymore,” he said, turning away from me once more.
“Don’t say that,” I said, my voice cracking. “You know that’s bullshit. Look, you weren’t trained for any of this.” I tried to find the right words. “I think that’s partly because your father coddled you. That doesn’t mean you’re weak. It just means you have some catching up to do.”
“Thanks for the pep talk,” he snarled sarcastically. “I feel so much better now.”
“Ty, please.” My eyes stung with unshed tears. “We can do this.”
“Or we can just die,” he said darkly.
I was appalled by his words. “Don’t talk like that. We’re going to get through this. We have to. Maybe...” I hesitated, knowing what I had to say next would hurt. “Maybe you really should let Hiram and Sven take the lead during training. For now, at least. They have experience we don’t have.”
Ty whirled on me. “Are you saying you don’t trust me to protect you and the pack?”
“That’s not what I meant,” I said, my heart aching. I hated hurting him, but our pack needed help, and Ty needed to accept it.
“Maybe I am weak,” he spat, pulling away from me.
“You’re not weak,” I said firmly, grabbing his hand. “You’re just out of your element. Please, take the advice being offered to you.”
He didn’t respond—just stared out the window. The muscles in his back tensed under his shirt. I had pushed too far.
“Leave me alone,” he said, his words cutting through the air like shards of ice.
My heart pounded in my chest as I stormed out of the room, fresh rage fueling my every step.
Needing to clear my head, I made my way to the training area, where Liam was waiting for me, his piercing blue eyes locked onto mine as I approached.
“Ready for some practice?” He sounded upbeat, but the lines around his eyes were tight as he studied me.
“Let’s do this.” I tried to push thoughts of Ty to the back of my mind.
I couldn’t focus on the training, though. My mind kept drifting back to Ty and how he’d reacted to our conversation. Every time my concentration slipped, Liam took advantage, easily knocking me off balance and sending me sprawling to the ground.
“Fuck,” I cursed, gritting my teeth as I picked myself up off the ground and brushed the sand off my clothes before I got ready to go again.
“Focus! You have to learn this, Liza. You need to learn what you’re capable of. You’re relying on everyone else to protect you when you’re probably stronger than anyone here. Stop worrying about Ty and his fucking pity party, and stop being afraid of yourself.”
I stared at my brother, hating that I was doubting Ty, but Liam was right. I needed to protect myself.
I centered myself, then found my wolf inside more than willing to guide me. In a flurry of movement, I had Liam pinnedto the ground. When I looked down at him, he was grinning up at me proudly.
116
TY
Iwas sitting at a small table in one of the spare bedrooms, bathed in a gentle, warm glow as the morning sun made its way through the curtains, highlighting the emptiness that lingered from not spending the night with Liza. My foul mood had kept me pacing the halls instead of seeking solace in her arms.
I ran a hand through my disheveled hair and grunted in frustration.
“Ty.” My mother’s voice was right beside me, and I jerked, slapping a hand to my chest. I hadn’t even heard or scented her entering the room. “You can’t keep moping around like this. It doesn’t suit you or your position as alpha.”
“Mom,” I growled, irritated by her intrusion, but I still looked up at her with a plea. “Dad didn’t prepare me for this. I’m flying blind here.”
She put her hand on my shoulder and squeezed softly. Her presence was always accompanied by the soothing scent of lavender. “He didn’t, but you’re not alone in this fight, Ty. You have people here who want to help you, even if they come from dubious backgrounds. They’re still risking their lives and thoseof their packs to take down Castro. For the sake of the pack and Liza’s life, you need to get your head out of your ass and accept their help.”
Her words pierced through the fog of my self-pity and reignited the fire within me. I met her gaze and immediately sensed the strength of her determination.
“You’re right, Mother. I’m sorry.” I inhaled deeply, allowing my mother’s scent to wash over me and give me strength.
