Wolf's Mate by Celia Kyle

Author:Celia Kyle
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group
Published: 2017-08-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-four

Declan had been relieved when Abby opened her eyes five hours after he’d dug the poisoned bullet out of her body. Now he wished she’d go back to sleep. If only to avoid the conversation he’d found himself dragged into.

“I discovered my alpha with…” The words were there, suppressed for so long. But releasing them meant experiencing the agony and betrayal all over again. It meant feeling claws ripping through his flesh once more.

He should keep the memories all bottled up. Should tuck them away like he’d promised and never let them see the light of day. But this was Abby, and she had him doing everything he shouldn’t do. She gave him impossible thoughts and pointless dreams that didn’t seem quite so pointless anymore. Maybe starting at the end was the problem. Maybe he had to go back—closer to the beginning.

“When I turned two, it became obvious I was an alpha pup.” He grinned, earlier memories driving out some of the darkness that lingered. “I began organizing raiding parties for cookies and, if we got caught, jail breaks.”

“You terrorized your parents.”

“I terrorized every parent in the pack.” He paused, small smile still in place. “And when Jacob was old enough, it was the two of us causing trouble.”

“Jacob?”

“My brother. He’s two years younger. Not quite as strong, but smart as hell.”

Annoying and bothersome with a penchant for shooting at brothers who kick down their doors.

Declan kept his hand in place, thumb brushing Abby’s lower lip. He used the touch to anchor him in the present while he let his mind drift to the past.

“When I turned twelve, I started training with the alpha. I was the oldest alpha pup, and he named me as the next in line. I felt so important. Being the alpha.” He shook his head. “It’s supposed to be about caring for the pack. Everything he does is for the betterment of everyone. When he takes the oath and forms that bond with his wolves, he’s driven by instinct to protect and never harm without cause.”

“But?”

There was a “but” in every story. More than one in Declan’s.

He released a rueful chuckle, lips quirked in a half smile. “But after three years in training I discovered that what’s written in books—the stories passed from elders to pups—isn’t always true for everyone.”

Delicate fingers slipped through his hair, and he realized she’d changed position. She’d eased closer, pulled that sheet taut across her plump breasts, and stroked him as if he were a child in need of comfort. He didn’t need comfort. He hadn’t then, and he didn’t now.

But maybe she needed to give it, which was why he remained still and let her brush his hair aside, sift her fingers through his strands, and caress the side of his neck.

She needed it, not him.

Right.

“I trained six days a week with the alpha. I went to school during the day, and then I went to the pack house for training—Saturday through Thursday with only Friday night to myself.

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