Page 9 of Moon Destiny

“Like a king?”

“We don’t use that word, but you can think of it that way if it helps you.” I met her eyes again, because this part was important. “Werewolf packs aren’t a democracy. They can’t be. Each of us has a beast inside, and some of us are better than others at controlling it. And that control is critical. We live alongside humans but our existence is a secret. All it takes is one wolf losing control to expose our race to the outside world. I’m an alpha because my beast is more dominant than anyone else’s. I can force control on wolves who need help managing their beasts. That’s what it takes to protect our species. To live in the pack.”

The pulse in her neck fluttered wildly. “What if I don’t want to live in the pack?”

“That’s something we can discuss later. Right now, I want you to tell me everything you remember from the Gorge. How many wolves did you see?”

Her frown deepened. “It happened so fast…”

“Did you catch their scents?”

“All I remember is getting hit and landing on my side. Then everything went black.”

That wasn’t good enough. She was my only link to catching Alex’s killers. “You have to remember more than that. This is important.”

“I’m sorry but—”

“Sorry won’t cut it. I need you to think.”

“I’m trying to,” she snapped. “But it’s hard with you snarling at me.”

A knock rang out, and I swallowed my reply as I looked toward the door. She had me so distracted I hadn’t heard Dylan’s approach. But he’d almost certainly heard us arguing.

“Come in,” I said.

The door opened and Dylan’s dark blond head poked inside.

“Brooke,” I said, swallowing my irritation. “This is Dylan Corbett, my beta.”

Dylan smiled, revealing the dimples that made women between eighteen and eighty swoon. “It means second in command,” he told her, and I mentally kicked myself for not remembering she was unfamiliar with werewolf terminology.

“Nice to meet you,” Brooke said. “I’m Brooke Ratner.” If she was moved by his dimples, she didn’t show it. And I wasn’t going to think too hard about how that made me feel.

Dylan nodded politely before turning to me with a solemn expression. “Everyone is here.”

“Thanks. Tell them I’ll be right down.”

“You got it.” He dipped his chin toward Brooke again. “Ma’am,” he said, his voice tinged with the lyrical notes of Appalachia, then pulled the door shut. His footsteps echoed down the hall. A second later, a screen door downstairs opened and closed.

I looked at Brooke and found her watching me. She chewed her lower lip, and her brows were drawn again, as if I was a puzzle she struggled to figure out.

I stared at her mouth. My cock pushed painfully against my fly.

Fuck.

I stood so quickly the chair’s legs scraped the hardwood. “Do you think you’re up to taking a walk outside? The pack has gathered to pay their last respects to Alex. I can put it off another day if I need to, but I’d rather do it now, assuming you feel strong enough. I can’t leave you here without me.”

Sorrow moved through her eyes, reminding me she’d lost Alex, too. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything, but…why do you need me with you?”

“It’s the other way around. You need me. You haven’t shifted yet, and your wolf is new. You’ll need me to help you control it until you’re experienced enough to do it on your own. These first few hours are the most critical.” I moved to the dresser and pulled out a pair of gray sweats—shapeless, one-size-fits-all clothing every pack kept on hand. “This will fit you,” I said, placing the bundle on the bed. “I’ll step outside while you change.”

“Wait. I can’t go downstairs like this.”

I frowned. “Like what?”

Color stained her cheeks. “I haven’t showered in three days. Before that, I was staying at a campground. Alex insisted on—” She clamped her mouth shut, and the flush in her cheeks spread down her neck. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound insensitive.” She swallowed. “I just really hate camping.”

“It’s all right.” A faint twinge of amusement pushed through my grief and fatigue. “He mentioned you weren’t a fan.”

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