Filed to story: The Wolf Prince’s Fated Love
Nothing about this was okay with my wolf.
Nothing. We didn’t share our mate with other males; it just wasn’t done. The Goddess gave us many gifts, and chief among them was a protective streak a hundred miles wide. There was no bridge I wouldn’t cross, no fire I wouldn’t leap through, and no foe I wouldn’t face to protect my mate. Yet here she was, asking me not to give in to that urge.
It was a tall order for a man in control, and I was not that. But she was asking, and I had to try. For her.
I forced my chin down again and focused on her eyes as she stood, releasing her grip on my pelt. The loss of her touch was a wound, but I locked my muscles in place. If she needed my control, I would give it to her.
One step back, another. The tentative threads that bound us stretched between us achingly, until she stopped a scant three feet away. Too close to the Goddess-cursed silver lining this wretched room.
“Kane.” She directed the moment, chin held high and palm outstretched. Pride swelled inside me, even as I fought the urge to get between them. My mate was strong, even wounded, and she didn’t hesitate or back away from the overpowering alpha who approached. To his credit, he moved slowly, keeping his eyes on neutral territory and his posture relaxed as he extended his own hand.
Watching them link hands felt like a spike being driven through my ribs. I whined. I couldn’t help it. My muscles were locked tight, but the wolf didn’t understand why our mate would do this, even though I knew why.
“You’re doing great, Dirge. So, so well,” she soothed, her gray eyes soft and a little damp as she held my gaze. “I don’t think this is enough to convince the five, though. Did you know Kane has mated with my best friend? When you and I first met it was at the afterparty for their bonding ceremony. It was beautiful, and the flowers smelled lovely. So many lights, and all the pretty dresses.”
Her voice was wistful, and I wanted to give her that beautiful ceremony more than anything. Every flower, every decoration, the best food, and any gown she wanted. Hell, I still had money sitting in accounts from before. She could have every last penny if it would make her smile again.
“Kane, congratulations on your bonding. I don’t think I’ve told you that yet.” She squeezed his fingers in hers, and I forced down a twitch. I hadn’t forgotten that they were touching, per se, but her words had distracted me. Probably exactly as she intended, smart woman.
“Thank you, Shay. I appreciate you standing up for my mate.”
“She’s my sister,” Shay said simply. “May I offer you a congratulatory hug?”
No.
No, no, no. No hugs. My paws shifted on the cement, my best self-control flagging at the prospect of what was about to happen.
“Of course. You’re family now.”
Family? My paws stilled again, and I realized what they were doing. Family was no threat, no harm to a wolf. To harm one’s own flesh and blood was anathema; no wolf would dream of it.
And as my mate, her family
became my own, immediately. Even though I hated the power rolling off the other man, even if I wanted to tear his skin off for daring to look at the beauty that was mine, everything inside me stilled.
Hurting her family hurt her. And no part of me would do that.
I watched as she hugged the alpha, Kane, who I’d watched grow up. The memories came rushing back of the dark-headed boy who laughed too loudly for the responsibilities he would one day bear. The memories shocked me with their clarity. Nothing had been clear except pain for so long.
Until Shay.
The two of them pulled apart, and Shay leapt at me with excitement. “You did it! You did it, Dirge!” She wrapped me in a hug so tight, she nearly choked me. But rather than dislodge her, I pushed her forward, letting her back meet the concrete as I laved sandpaper kisses over her cheeks and forehead.
“Eww, Dirge!” She laughed, the first time I’d heard the sound, and I stopped licking just to listen, to appreciate the unbridled joy of it.
Something fundamental inside me shifted.
NINE
Shay
It was even harder leaving Dirge in the cell the second time, but I did it with renewed determination.
“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I’d have called you a liar,” Julius said as we walked through the door into the monitoring room.
“Can we let him out?” I didn’t wait for a lengthy discussion or for people to start second-guessing what they’d seen. I needed him out. I needed him with me.
“We will vote on it,” Kane said, laying a gentle hand on my shoulder before crossing to Brielle’s waiting arms. She stared up at him with adoration.
“Have I told you lately that I don’t like it when you put yourself in danger? That was terrifying to watch.”
“I know, baby, but I could cow his wolf if I had to. This is part of being Alpha.” He stroked her cheek reverently, the tender sight making my stomach tighten with jealousy. I was so proud of my friend for overcoming the odds and claiming her mate. But I wanted that for myself too, so badly it hurt.
Brielle leaned into his touch, even as the two of them turned together to face the rest of the group.
“All in favor of allowing a trial release period?” Kane posed the question with no further fanfare.
Reed and Brielle lifted their hands immediately, and I did too, though I likely didn’t get a vote. Technically, I wasn’t even part of Pack Blackwater, but I didn’t care. The rest of the hands were slower to go up, but in the end, every one went up, except Julius’s.
“I’m not saying no, but he needs a guard at all times until he’s no longer feral and they’re bonded.”
“I will personally take responsibility for him.” Gael stepped forward, shocking me in the process. I didn’t know him well-only observing the crazy, angry chemistry between him and Leigh-but the grateful look Reed sent him told me everything I needed to know. He was no hopeless romantic, but he’d do anything for his pack.
Julius nodded, then lifted two fingers to signal his consent.
I headed straight for the hall, not waiting for anyone to change their minds.
Kane called after me, “Five, eight, two?-“
“Six, eight, nine, I know!” I called back over my shoulder, already punching in the code.
They didn’t need to know that Dirge was getting out tonight, whether they voted for it or not.