SIXTY-FOUR

I swallowed.

The signs were there but it was impossible to imagine an Alpha hating a pack he sacrificed his blood and sweat to protect. His pack. His home. His people.

“Don’t look so surprised.” He laughed but the sound had no shred of humour in it. “The air in this land makes my skin crawl. I hate it.”

“Is that – Is that –“ I stuttered. I pressed him so much for what was going on with him and now that he opened up, I didn’t know what to say. What do you say to someone who confessed a taboo topic?

“I understand,” I said, my vocal cords finally working. “I understand how you feel.” He regarded me with eyes that concealed his emotions.

“Do you?” Even his tone was devoid of emotions but it didn’t stop me from nodding.

“I don’t know the full details of what happened with Alpha Boston but I know enough to understand.” It was subtle, but I saw him flinch when I mention the name of the dead Alpha. “It’s remarkable that you chose to lead these people despite everything you had to go through.”