Blackshadow (Kingdom of Wolves #2)

“What happened?” We both turn when we hear the comment and Gamzin steps over to us, sitting on the ground in front of the fire pit, giving us a questioning look.

Sighing, because I know I can’t ignore this any longer. “I found my mate. Well, I would have if I’d stayed. I panicked and ran.”

Gamzin stares at me a moment before I notice the corner of his lip twitches, then he grins, and throws his head back laughing. Once he gets himself under control, he grins again. “Is that all? I was worried something horrible had happened to you both, after the short explanation earlier.”

“I never wanted a mate, Gamzin, and I have a good reason for it.”

“Do you know who her father is?” Swift asks and I pin her with an ugly look because this isn’t her story to tell.

“No, I don’t speak to people about mine or their past. It is what it is and we can never change it, we can only move on from it.” Gamzin gives me a steely look, and I know he now has his interest piqued thanks to Swift, but he’ll not ask, he’ll want to see if I tell him or not.

Taking a deep breath, I start to speak, “My momma’s mate was an alpha heir, and he rejected her as his father had arranged a chosen mate for him, one that would bring power through the alliance. They had one night together and I am the result of that night. My momma loved me and left the pack when she discovered she was having a pup. She didn’t want to risk the old alpha taking her pup from her or killing it.

“My father did nothing to stop any of this from happening. He agreed to the union and told my momma he was done with her. Rejected her, and she accepted without a second thought. She always said the Goddess did things for a reason, and time would tell us why.

“Momma came here and built the shack, she had me, and I think lived happily until the disgusting no-man’s-land rogue found us and she fought him to save me and, as you know, she died.”

“I’m sorry, Hope. I liked your momma. She was kind and deserved much better than that,” Gamzin says and pats my hand, trying to comfort me, I think.

“Thing is Gamzin, the Goddess has paid him back in some way, because his chosen mate had an accident when young, and never told him she was barren because of it. So, he has no heir, and his father died knowing his line would end unless he took another chosen mate, or found his Goddess-given mate.” I smile broadly, showing all my teeth in a wolfish sharp smile.

“Can I ask who the Alpha is?” Gamzin stares at me, letting me see he’s not judging, and that’s what has me deciding to reply.

“Alpha Soren Wolfgang,” I say quietly, waiting for his reaction, but I didn’t expect him to explode.

“THAT PIECE OF SHIT. HE IS THE WORST ALPHA I’VE EVER MET AND HE NEEDS KNOCKING OFF HIS PEDESTAL!” Jumping to his feet I watch as Gamzin paces back and forth, mumbling under his breath, and so low even my wolf hearing isn’t picking up what he’s saying.

I look over at Swift, and she has eyes so rounded in shock that I’m wondering if I look as bad as she does. I wait a minute before I speak. “Well, you obviously know of the Alpha.”

“Oh, I know him alright. He’s the alpha of the pack I left.” Gamzin looks at me closely before sitting down once more and continues to stare at me as though he’s making his mind up about something.

Swift points to her mug and I see she’s finished the tea I’d made, so I quickly make another and hand her a refill, one for myself and I make one for Gamzin, who gives me a nod of thanks before taking a sip then starts to speak.

“I left the Wolfsong Pack because the Alpha and Luna were disgusting leaders. Luna Corintha is a hateful she-wolf. She is quick to anger, and isn’t slow to lash out with her fists. I’ve come up against her a few times when she’s hit a pup, or a timid she-wolf. I despise her and her mate. They are both rotten to the core.”

“I’m thrilled I don’t know him, and he’ll never find me, as I’m sure he’ll not come to the Parklands.” I finish my tea, and we all sit, contemplating what we’ve heard.

“If you join a pack and the packs merge in a meeting, a ball, or something like that, then you may come across him. But I would suggest you stay away from anything like that, unless you are forced to attend. Then have yourself look less like your momma, because Hope he’ll recognize you are your momma’s daughter. You look so much like her it cannot be mistaken.” Gamzin searches my face, and I can tell he’s seeing my momma in his mind when a little mistiness shows in his eyes.

“If he finds you, he could try to force you back to his pack as his heir. He’s never had another pup, so you’d be the one he’d drag back to get mated to someone in the pack so they could take over as alpha. The only way you’d avoid that is if you had already found your mate, and preferably your mate, being an alpha himself.”

I look at Swift and swallow loudly because we do not know who my mate is at this point, but we know where he is. All we can do is hope he is a high-ranking wolf, like a Beta.

“The shifter council would get involved if he tried that sort of thing, and although they are stuffy old shifters, I think they would see the error in forcing you to go back to the pack when he rejected your momma, and you in that process,” Swift says. Trying to calm my nerves I’m sure.

“He would argue he didn’t know he had a pup, or he wouldn’t have done it. Or he’d have kept your momma in the pack so he could be a part of your life. He’s an asshole, and will spin it any way he can to win, so be careful Hope.” Gamzin is looking at me seriously, and I give him a nod to let him know I understand.

The last of the meat is cooked and Swift tears it into portions, handing some to me first and then to Gamzin, who is shocked at the offer, but takes it and eats.

We all sit quietly thinking about what we have discussed, and it’s then I realize Gamzin isn’t who I thought he was. He’s caring, considerate, and will put himself in danger for others. I’ve made a grave error in judgement and one I’ll make sure never to do again.

Chapter 12

CONNELL

Monday morning, and I’ll be attending to the new pack members. I want them to be official members so they have the safety and security of the pack. They’ll be able to mind link myself and the other pack members.

The Beta challenge is stirring up a lot of excitement, and I’m more than happy to see the pack getting involved. The kitchen staff are talking about putting on a side of food that anyone will be able to take if they are hungry.