Page 84 of Wolf Cursed
“No shit, but Victor Stone wasn’t someone you could explain things to.” Isaac shook his head. “That guy was scary as hell.”
“Was?” I echoed.
“He died a couple of years ago.”
“Kai doesn’t have family?” My heart hurt for Kai just thinking about it. I knew what it was like to grow up without a mom. And to have a dad who wasn’t exactly Father of the Year.
“It’s better this way,” Isaac said. Idrissa shot him a look. “What? Kai’s old man was fucking terrible to him. Everyone saw the bruises.”
“That’s horrible,” I whispered.
“Kai’s always kept to himself a little more than the rest of us,” Idrissa said. “And he’s always been tough as hell. He’s undefeated among the other pack members, which has sort of made him our unofficial alpha.”
“What about Oscar?” I asked. “He seems sort of important too.”
“He’s the leader of the elders,” Idrissa explained. “Our council of original pack members is a sort of acting governing body for the pack, but they don’t hold much sway these days, compared to the younger members.”
“Like Kai,” I said.
They both nodded. “Our wolves care about who’s strongest,” Idrissa explained.
“And that’s our boy, Kai,” Isaac added.
“That’s why everyone acts like everything has to go through him,” I said. And why Silas and Drake deferred to him during my interrogation.
“They defer as much as their instinct will allow,” she explained. “But it’s not enough to settle our wolves completely.”
“Or break the damn curse.” Isaac tossed a piece of grass away, scowling.
“Kai told me about it,” I said, and both of them looked up sharply.
“He did?” Idrissa asked.
A slow smile spread across Isaac’s face. “He likes you.”
“I don’t know about that. He basically yells at me every time he sees me.”
“For what?” Isaac asked.
“He says I shouldn’t be here, that it’s not safe, that I’m going to get killed, that I’m stupid. You know, friendly stuff like that.”
Isaac snorted. “He’s worried for your safety. It’s hot.”
Idrissa shook her head. “I hate to admit it, but I think Isaac’s right. Kai’s never shown interest in another female.”
“We were beginning to think maybe he played for the other team,” Isaac said, wiggling his brows.
“You hoped it,” Idrissa corrected. “I never actually thought it.”
Isaac sighed. “A girl can dream.”
I laughed.
Idrissa’s expression sobered. “But you should know there are other pack members who would love to take that alpha role out from under Kai.”
“Silas?”
“For one,” she said. “Just be careful. If they find out he’s interested in you, it could make you a target.”
