Page 15 of Stolen

He took Ariana’s hand as she rose from her chair, and didn’t let it go when he brought her into the other room.

“Gregor, this is Ariana. Ariana, this is Gregor, alpha of Outlaw Ridge.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Ariana said in her warm, gentle voice. “Thank you for seeing us.”

But Hawk could feel the same unease in her that he felt. A strange vibe was coming off Gregor, making Hawk’s stomach churn.

Gregor walked slowly forward, his blue eyes blazing with intensity and a touch of his wolf’s gold. He took her face in both hands, staring deeply into her eyes.

Then his body jolted.

He began speaking in a high, rapid voice. “She is the seed of evil, bringing with her the tentacles of the dark. She is tied to the devil from the south, she will bring him straight to our doors in a maelstrom of fire and destruction. Send her back, send her away, for if you bond with her, your soul will not be your own, and all around you will be in danger…”

There was no sanity left in his eyes. Ariana tried to pull back, but she couldn’t break Gregor’s grip. Hawk stepped up and tore the old man’s hands away from her, jerking his head at the door. Ariana stumbled out.

Gregor was pale now, breathing heavily. Hawk took the old man by the shoulders, furious words on his lips. What the hell had that been all about?

Gregor lifted his head turned to Hawk, his blue eyes clear and gentle. “What was it you were asking me about, my son? A mating bond?”

Holy fuck. He didn’t remember anything about the last two minutes.

Grief and fear lanced through Hawk. The wolf he’d known for ten years was slipping away. How long would he be able to function?

He said, “I was wondering how it works—if claiming a female would sever her bond with her former alpha and transfer that bond to her mate.”

Gregor smiled at him kindly. “Why, yes, I believe so. That was its original purpose, you know. To assure the female’s undivided loyalty when she was brought to a new pack. The bond that once bound her to her former alpha would transfer to the male who claimed her, and through him to his own alpha.”

“Thank you, Alpha.”

But Gregor went on. “However, a mating bond can be its own prison. If the male has feelings for his mate, she can take center place in his life, diluting his purpose. You could not have done the work you did for the last eighteen months if your mind were on a woman, now could you?”

Well, he had done it—for a while. But Gregor was right—in the end, his love for Ariana had derailed his mission. And he was right about something else—for Ariana, Hawk would give up the life he’d been leading. The only difference was, unlike Gregor, Hawk was beginning to think that wasn’t a bad thing.

“Thank you, Gregor,” he said. “That’s all I really needed to know.” Even though is wolf was still angry that the old man had scared Ariana, Hawk nonetheless felt mingled respect and pity for the man who had done so much for so many, and was now slipping away.

He gave the old alpha a gentle hug. “Take care of yourself.”

“And you as well, my son.”