Page 71 of The Hidden Guardian

“If we wanted the opinion of a child, we’d ask,” Lupe snaps.

Onai risked everything by speaking up for me, I realize then. Even when her father is the pack Alpha, she has no say. Women don’t matter here—and this has to change.

“No, she’s right,” another Guardian states from above. A few wolves growl in approval.

“Renall’s from Warrior Clan—who else will train our wolves?”

“I want him on our side,”another calls.

“Yeah, we can’t let them leave.”

“Call it like it is, they won. Renall won his freedom fair and square.”

More growls and shouting resound in the cave until I can no longer make out any one comment. They all look to Zev, the pack Alpha. His face remains stoic as he watches the reactions around the cave. Then his eyes meet mine and they narrow. They hold no love for me or Renall any longer; all they hold is contempt. I defied him and called him weak, and then actually proved it in front of the entire pack. It’s only a matter of time before our conflict comes to a head. But that is a battle for a different day. Today we lick our wounds and regroup.

With a fleeting look at Lupe, who shrugs her shoulders, Zev announces, “Renall and Awe-tum have been cleared by the Blood Rite. They may stay, if they choose to do so.”

Renall turns to me. As I look around at the faces of the wolves and their Guardians, I seem to find a glimmer of something I don’t expect—hope. In Renall, and in me. They meet my eyes. Somehow in all my grief and trauma, this place has felt like home. These people, their faces, their hope that things can finally change. This is what my Mother would have wanted. I can make a difference. Making the world better than you found it. I feel my Mother here. I hear her voice here. This place has become my home.

“Renall,” I whisper, shaking my head. My eyes glistening with tears as they meet his. “We can’t leave, not now.”

He pauses, watching me.“Why?”

Why? Why am I sad? Why do I care what happens to these people that have tried to kill me, rape me, threaten me? Why?

Because somewhere between the fights and the trial and the fear and the pain—this place has become my home. It’s always been Renall’s home. If I want to make Colton’s death matter, then I can’t keep running away. I have to stand for something—fight for something—and I can make this pack better. I can be their hope.

I open my mouth to voice this into words, but Renall nods in understanding. As if he could read my thoughts, or my heart.

“We stay.”He growls while holding my hand.

He kisses me then, blood of our enemies still on his lips. Only this time, I don’t mind.

Maybe I am more wolf than I thought.

ChapterThirty-Seven

AUTUMN

“I’ve never seen that power out of you before.”

I nod. “I was out of control.” Onai pushed her way into the cave shortly after Renall fell asleep on the bed so his wounds would heal. Honestly, rest sounds great about now. But so does gossiping about what happened with my friend.

“It was magnificent. Gods, to think a few weeks ago you didn’t know how to do anything, and today you just hung wolves up like beef jerky.” She motions wide, her arms almost causing her to fall off the couch.

I smile. “I can’t help but think about all the pups. What if something happened to them? I never would have forgiven myself. Where were they when all this was going on? Do you think they heard? Do you think I … any of their parents?”

“Oh, they were in the nursery. It’s padded and protected and has a failsafe also in case of emergencies where a metal door slams shut. It never even got to that point. I’m sure they heard the commotion, but it’s no more than it normally is. Screams of torture and pain are a lullaby to them at this point. As far as parents, I think most of the accusers were single males that wanted you.”

“Good,” I sigh. “I have another stupid question …”

“Oh, can’t wait for this one.” Onai leans in on her elbows.

“Are the pups born in human form or wolf form?”

“Interested to know about babies, I see? Has someone decided to stay and bang it out with their wolf finally?”

“Oh shush.” I playfully smack her arm. We glance behind us, Renall still snores from the bed.

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