AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Yeah, of course, I can do that.” Z reaches out and Harlem willingly goes with him, maybe I need to let ‘by gones be by gones’ where Zeke is concerned.
“What’s up brother? You seem tense.” I take a deep breath and I motion for Cole to follow me so we can have some semblance of a private chat, that is hard to do when there are so many shifters around. We stop out the back by the palm trees, this place still astounds me. I wish I knew how they got these little huts in the trees and how they even managed to grow any other type of tree aside from palms here. Cole clears his throat which snaps me from my wondering thoughts.
“Cairo doesn’t want to lead any of the packs.” If Cole is taken back by my statement, he doesn’t show it. Clearly my little brother knows more than I do about Cairo’s wants.
“I figured.”
“How so?” He sighs and runs a hand through his hair.
“Ro has never seen himself as an alpha, everyone knows he only took on that role to keep the rogues safe. If it was up to him there would be no leader, and everyone would just do whatever the hell they wanted.”
“It doesn’t work like that with shifters, we need an alpha or there will be anarchy amongst the pack.” He gives me a dry stare.
“We know that smartass, hence why Ro took on the job. What’s the big deal if he doesn’t want to lead?” It’s my turn to stare at him like he is dense. “Ah, Jess doesn’t want to lead either, right?” I nod my head. “Well then as her mate that job then falls to you.” There it is, the root of the problem. I refuse to meet his gaze and don’t reply. “Oh shit, you don’t want to lead either, do you?” I stare out at the trees and let his question roll through my mind for a bit before I finally answer.
“I’m scared Cole.” I hear his sharp intake on breath and cringe internally. I have never ever shown or let my brother know my feelings before.
“W-why? You’re Credence fucking Reeves, nothing in this fucking world scares you.” His confidence in me is inspiring.
“I’m scared I will end up like dad.” There, I said it.
“You’re nothing like dad, brother.” I turn to face him and meet his stare.
“Dad molded me into who I am today, he never let me be a kid or have any fun. I started training to be alpha since I was 4 years old Colton. I never fucking want to do that to my son!” His eyes soften and he reaches out and places his hand on top of my shoulder.
“Then don’t be dad.” I growl in frustration, but he ignores me and continues on. “You are not him Creed, yes we had mom, but you helped raise Callie and me as well. You will never be him; dad has always been hard on us because he wanted all three of us to be the best we could be. So, what if you lead all the packs, that doesn’t mean you have to make your son a solider like dad did to you. Break the cycle brother, if anyone can do it, it’s you.” I stare at him for a moment in awe, since when did my little brother become so wise?
Chapter
Forty One
Jessica
Our time on the island is officially up, its moving day. These past few days have been so hard not being able to be with my son as much as I would have liked. I haven’t spoken to Creed since he left, I see him out and about but whenever he spots me, he turns and goes the other way. I only see Meg when I visit Harlem and spend time with him, Creed let me do bath time and put him to bed last night. I was hoping with me being at his house later that I might have run into him and had a chance to talk, but I never saw him when I left. As much as it burns me to admit it, Creed is right, I did pull away from Harlem and pushed him away. I have been in such a black hole, and I have no idea how to pull myself out of it. Jacob broke something in me, my anger and hatred has been the only thing fueling me since I got back. I pushed Creed away because I thought I was less than him due to not being able to shift but I was wrong.
“Ready to go?” I shake my head to clear away my thoughts and head downstairs. Cole smiles and claps me on the shoulder as we head out the door to follow the crowd to the beach where the boats are waiting for us. But as soon as we step outside the both of us freeze, Davina, Vince, Cairo, Creed and Zeke stand there huddled around each other and whispering in hushed tones. Creed lifts his head, and he locks his eyes on me, instead of the usual lust that shines in his gaze when he looks at me it is replaced by… worry. Cole grips my elbow and leads me toward them, by the time we reach them all of them are looking anywhere but at me. Panic begins to seep inside me, I can tell from how ridged they are that whatever they were discussing isn’t good.
“No point in hiding shit, what were you all talking about?” Bless Cole for not beating around the bush. Vince looks to Davina and cocks a brow as if pushing her to answer Cole’s question.
“Just tell her D, the letter is for her anyway.” Cole and I share a look of confusion before I ask.
“What letter?” I expect Creed to cut me out of whatever this is, but he nudges my brother and motions for him to give me the piece of paper in his hand. Ro glares at Creed before handing me the paper, Cole shuffles in closer and peers over my shoulder so he can read it as well.
You don’t know me and have no reason to trust what I say.
I hope you do heed my warning though as your life depends on it.
Do not attack the council!
All shifters have fled Rosewood, return there, and fortify your lands because they are coming for you all, especially.
H.E.R.
I wish you all well,
Gabrielle Wilder.
I re-read the note twice, who the hell is this woman and how could she possibly know any of this. Cole snatches the note from me and waves it in the air as he growls at the four people in front of us.
