“I was only trying to get some answers!”
“Yeah, yeah, I had your back. I told her you aren’t a complete asshole, but you need to take it easy. She’s petrified and traumatized,” Sofia states sadly, all of her usual sassy attitude replaced by glistening eyes and slumped shoulders. I’m an asshole for even considering this, but how do we know that this is true? I can’t help worrying; what if it’s all an act?
“Have you considered maybe not looking like you’re about to maul someone next time you want answers?”
“My job is to protect the pack. I understand you like her, but I’m not convinced yet,” I explain, dragging my hands through my hair.
“You know what happened the last time I trusted an outsider,” I say with a sigh. I’d love to be able to trust Emily is who she says she is, but the last time I trusted a pretty girl… it was a fucking disaster.
“Suuure,” Sofia says, her voice dripping with sarcasm as she raises a skeptical eyebrow.
“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m a Delta. My role is to protect the pack and ensure its safety.” I can hear the frustration in my voice, no matter how hard I try to keep it in. As a Delta, it’s my duty to maintain order, enforce discipline, and defend the pack with unwavering loyalty. Whether it be against rival packs, predators, or any other peril that may befall us, my instincts drive me to protect pack members at all costs. The safety and well-being of the pack are paramount above everything else. I’ve learned the hard way how fucking disastrous it could be if I ever forget that again.
“Oh, come on, you can’t be this oblivious,” Sofia says as she places a hand on her cocked hip. “Like I get it, she’s insanely gorgeous; she’s smart, she’s got that whole inner strength thing going on, and she would fit in great here. And you know what? She totally ticks your boxes for your intense protective vibe when there’s usually never anything here to be protective of.”
I gape at her with my mouth hanging open. Shit, did my best friend’s little sister just read me like a book? Could there be something there other than an attraction to an obviously sexy as hell omega? My wolf perks up and lets out a yip. He doesn’t believe we need to be suspicious at all. It’s so fucking weird because he’s usually champing at the bit to get at potential threats.
“When did you get so wise? You’re still a pup,” I sigh.
Sofia blows out a huff of breath as she turns and walks away, but just as she reaches the pack house door, she lets me know that she’s bringing Emily for training in five days.
“Figure out your shit, Jack. Don’t mess her around. She’s gone through enough.”
Sofia may have answered my questions, but she’s given me a lot of new ones, too. And it’s getting harder to pretend I don’t understand what my wolf wants. He is drawn to her in a way I’ve never experienced before. There are very few reasons that could lead to my wolf fighting me so hard.
The past five days have dragged like a bitch. The warriors I've had on Emily’s tail report that she has barely left the room. Sofia visits her at least once a day, staying for several hours, but she has had no contact with anyone else other than being introduced briefly to some of the other she-wolves.
But the day I’m due to see Emily finally arrives. It’s 6:00 am and I’m standing in the training center in front of fifty pack warriors ready for training, but there’s no sign of Emily or Sofia. I talk the warriors through warmups and send them on three laps of the lake in human form.
I’m about to join them when I see the girls walking up, whispering animatedly to each other. Emily is wearing tight dark leggings and a blue and navy hoody that’s pulled up over her head, hiding her blonde hair. My brain immediately starts wondering how soon I can get her warmed up enough to take it off.
My chest tightens at the sight of her trembling legs and the way she chews on her nails as they get closer. She’s scared. Of me. And that stings more than I’ll ever admit. And oddly, reassures me. Because if she’s this afraid, she can’t be a threat. Right?
And maybe if she’s not a threat, then I can get to know her and even be honest with myself about how attracted to her I am.
“You’re late girls. You better be ready to train.”
“Hell yeah, we are,” calls Sofia, grinning while shoulder-bumping Emily, who promptly stumbles and falls over. I reach out on instinct to help her up, but the second I touch her, she freezes. I back off immediately, holding my hands up in surrender. Her reaction is a punch to the gut. I take it back. I definitely do not want her to be afraid of me.
“Uh, you okay?” I ask. Emily nods as she scrambles to her feet. She’s shaking like a leaf and her dazzling green eyes are darting all around. The scent of fear rolls off her like fog.
“It’s okay, sweetie; I’m right here. You’re not alone.” Sofia says as she rubs Emily’s back. Emily takes deep, rattling breaths as she attempts to calm herself and one glance at Fia tells me that this panic happens a lot.
“Okay,” I say softly, “how about we just assess your fitness today? See where you’re at?”
Her relief is palpable as she nods enthusiastically. “Yes, yes, I can do that,” she squeaks while continuing to gulp down deep breaths and staring firmly at the ground. I make eye contact with Sofia, and we silently exchange our thoughts through mindlink around how badly Emily needs this.
She needs to feel safe.
I lead the girls in some quick stretches and decide I’m glad the girls were late because there is no way I would be okay with her stretching in those leggings in front of anyone else. We join the warriors for two laps of the lake on the pack lands. I’m surprised to see that Emily’s leg doesn’t appear to be causing her any problems. She hasn’t broken a sweat on the twenty-mile run.
No limp. No pain. She keeps pace with my warriors like she belongs there. Doc said she’d heal fast once the infection was gone, but damn.
When it’s time to spar, I encourage Emily to take a seat and watch for today. Sofia joins me to demonstrate for the warriors, and afterward, we split up to monitor the warriors. I can’t stop glancing at Emily every few moments. She’s tense but focused. She stays, though, watching, taking everything in. It’s a start, but I can tell it will be a slow process.
“Omega training groups are after lunch; would you be up for joining in?”
“You train omegas here?” she asks, as her eyes widen and her eyebrows shoot up.
