AllFreeNovel
Share Us
In fact, I knew I hadn’t.
As a child my parents had loved me. But it was a love that came from obligation. I was their child, so they had to love me. Warlocks and witches weren’t always known for their warmth, or affection.
I had the feeling that being loved by a wolf shifter, either as a partner, or a parent, would be a very different thing.
Xander smiled at me and Kyle sighed, both of them seeming happy with what I’d said.
“I can’t wait to take you back to our pack,” Xander said. “Introduce you around. Everyone believes that fated mates are a thing of the past. Not something available to my generation. You’re going to blow them all away.”
Kyle laughed suddenly. “Oh yeah! Your dad’s gonna be rapt, too.”
“Xander’s dad?” I repeated, looking at Xander for answers. “Why?”
He nodded. “Yeah, my father’s the main Beta of our pack. In the Alpha’s absence my father has stepped up to be our leader.”
So that’s why Xander had the Alpha size and leadership qualities. He was probably ready to take over in his father’s stead. Unlike his dad in the caretaker role, Xander would be the true Alpha leader of the pack.
“Are he and your mom close?” I asked.
Xander chuckled suddenly, then coughed to clear his throat. “My parents are fated mates. They’re... embarrassingly close.”
I shook my head and smiled. “I didn’t have parents like that.” It would have been nice to know your parents were really into each other. I figured that would make a beautiful basis for a cherished family.
Kyle glanced up from the couch. “Stop talking like this is all over. It’s not. You’ve seen the future. The big white house. The babies. Focus on that.”
I nodded, trying to take comfort from what I knew was possible, but that future felt so far away.
“You know, it’s been great being here. With you. Away from the pack,” Xander said, his tone dark.
I tilted my head to the side and looked at him. It sounded like he had a specific thought he wanted to share. “I agree, from a purely selfish point of view, of course. But what do you mean, exactly? Is there something going on at the pack you don’t like?”
I couldn’t guess what he really meant or what he was trying to say.
Kyle’s lips pressed into a grim line, so I was pretty sure he knew what Xander was alluding to. I stared at the big Alpha wolf, and waited. He didn’t speak to start with, just stretched his legs out in front of him and ran a hand through his hair.
When he finally started talking, his voice was scratchy, like he was fighting through an emotion that made it hard to speak. “Our pack is dying, Monique. Every day, every new birth, we move toward the day where the pack will consist of only frustrated, depressed and lonely men. It’s not a good feeling. Everyone is sad, and that’s not the way of a wolf shifter. We’re strong, and fierce. And damn stubborn, especially about family.”
He looked away but not before I saw the sheen of unshed tears in his blue eyes.
I swallowed hard against the emotions rising in my own chest—emotions that clogged my throat. I couldn’t imagine watching my people slowly march toward extinction like that.
“Well, I look forward to meeting your mom. And your dad,” I managed. “You have a sister too, right?”
He nodded, then coughed to clear his throat. “Yeah. She just had her sixth baby. All boys. Of course.”
“Six?” My jaw dropped. “Wow.” I would be happy with two!
He smiled, and in his eyes I could see his love for his sister shine through. “Yeah, she’s pretty amazing.”
My heart hurt just to see the combination of love, pain and pride in Xander’s face.
I opened my mouth to tell him how lucky his sister was to have him, when there was a sudden and sharp knock at the door.
I jumped to my feet. Was that Michael? And if so, was his father with him?
“Who is it?” I called out, my heart banging away in my chest.Please let the high warlock not be at my front door.And if he is, please let Michael not be working with him.
“It’s Michael,” the heir called out. “You said to pop by for hot chocolate.”
“Yeah... coming!”
I swallowed hard and watched my two wolves get to their feet, their eyes flashing with the yellow of their shifters as they approached to let him in.
It was time to see if my vision was right and Michael was still on our side, or if I’d be fighting him, too, in my attempt to save my wolf mates.
