Lib Novel Page 43
He’s silent for a moment. “You’re right. You were a child. One who was more vulnerable than me. And I was a horrible person to you. I would like to apologize for my behavior, Sophia.”
His words have me gaping at him. He’s apologizing? To me? The Noah I remember never would have done that.
I’m not sure what to say to him. “So that’s why you’re in town?” I ask warily. “To tell me you’re sorry? I find that a little hard to believe.”
Noah gives me another small smile. “I came to Oakrest because there was a sighting of a Northern wolf in the area. But after talking to Freddy, I don’t know whether I should believe him or not.”
My pulse grows ragged. “I wouldn’t. Believe Freddy, that is. It’s much more likely that he targeted someone he wasn’t able to subdue and he’s trying to save face. Besides, the security around this town is very tight. I can’t see a Northern wolf slipping in.”
Noah considers me before he murmurs, “You have a point there. But I’ll stick around, nonetheless. It seems that this town lacks supervision.” He steps toward me, his voice gentler. “And in the meantime, Sophia, I’d like to earn your forgiveness, if that’s okay with you.”
My heart skips a beat at his proximity.
What is happening here?
Chapter 9
Alex Stone
My mood is dark as I gaze down at the prophecy before me. It’s all twisted and jumbled, and I can’t make head or tail of it. I wish I could get my hands on the interpretation that Queen Karina has, but she hasn’t revealed it to anyone, not even her most trusted advisors. I guess I’ll have to interpret this myself.
There’s a knock on my door, and I call out, “Come in.”
Patrick enters the room. “You’re still here? I thought you were going to get lunch at the bar with us.”
I lean back in the armchair of the motel room. “I don’t think it’s a good idea today. Just bring me something back.”
My oldest friend and most senior lieutenant, Patrick has been by my side since we were children. He knows me better than anyone.
“Is this about the bartender?” he asks slyly. I gave him a tight-lipped look, and he sinks into the other chair as he studies me. “You can’t hide it, you know. You’re obsessed with the woman.”
“Obsessed is a strong word,” I murmur.
“You have a better one?” Patrick asks incredulously. “You’re the guy who insists on eating at that place for every single meal. And you can’t stop looking at her.”
I open my mouth to deny the allegations, but he’s right.
Tapping my fingers against my knee, I think of the complication that is Sophia. With everything going on in my pack, I’ve never had the time to look for a mate. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t, my current situation being what it is. Coming across my fated mate is something I never imagined would happen. But I’m not happy about it. Where other shifters would be thrilled to meet their fated mate, I’m just worried.
At first, I thought it would be easy to ignore Sophia. And I did try, but like a moth to a flame, I kept finding excuses to get close to her. That day at the beach, I had been planning to use the link between us to get some information out of her, but all I could think about was how charming she was. She’s got a temper all right, but her sass makes it an amusing sight. She’s also rightfully suspicious of me. There’s a jaded side to her, a cynicism that I shouldn’t find as appealing as I do.
Our time together at the beach has been lingering in my mind. I was sure, even then, that I could push her away. That I could reject my fated mate and walk off unscathed. But watching her nearly drown shook me to my very core.
I should’ve handled the situation better, I muse to myself. I probably could have. Instead, I chose to act irrationally and stick my foot in my mouth. I’ve been paying the price for that ever since. I look down at the prophecy, my heart heavy. Was it really the right choice? I can’t be with Sophia. Even if I want to be, it is an impossible decision. Choosing her would mean abandoning my pack.
For years, my pack has been striving to get revenge for the massacre we endured during Queen Karina’s rise to power. It wasn’t just my parents who were murdered; every adult in the pack who had any sort of influence was executed. By the end of that day, our homes were filled with blood. For every one remaining adult, there were ten children, the ratio having shifted dramatically with the massacre. Those children, the ones who lost their families, are the ones who are counting on me for vengeance. If I turn my back on them just because I found my fated mate, I don’t think I will be able to live with myself. We have come too far.
The Silver Wolf is the key to regaining power and getting our revenge on Queen Karina. I need to find the Silver Wolf, and I need to take her as my mate. Sophia was never part of the plan, and now that I know her wolf is latent, she can never be my mate. Not if I want to avenge my pack’s suffering.
I’m caught between the proverbial frying pan and fire. My instincts are screaming to be with her. My wolf wants to be with her. But I know it’s not possible. From the moment I was forced to become the Alpha of the Moonrise Wolf Pack as a frightened ten-year-old, my life was no longer my own. I’ve been the puppet of the woman whose hands are stained with my pack’s blood, my parents’ blood. And I’ve spent the last twenty years building allies and strength.
I can’t topple all our plans for one woman. No matter who or what she is.
“Alex?” My friend gives me a concerned look. “I know you’re not telling me something.”
I don’t look at him. “If I’m not telling you something, assume it’s for the best. Don’t worry about it. The pack comes first. I know that.”
He studies me, clearly trying to figure out what it is that I’m hiding from him. Finally, he gives up, sighing, “All right, then. Keep your secrets. I’m off to grab some lunch.”