Page 13 of The Night Wolf
“How’d you know he was going to come back?”
She placed the wooden spoon on a ceramic holder and turned to him. “He’s been hurt. Anyone can tell that just by looking at him. He needs healing, and I don’t just mean his body. I believe you’re the man who can do it.” She leaned in, and he brushed his knuckles over her cheek. “When Micah died, I wanted so desperately to go with him. You pulled me out of my despair and helped get me back on track. I miss Micah every day, but I have to live for my son and myself. Show him you can give him the same thing.”
It sounded good when she said it. He turned and leaned against the counter. “I don’t know for certain, but the way he made it sound, it was an Alpha who did this. Maybe more than one. Have I been so focused on Lydon that I’ve ignored everywhere else? How could I not know this was happening?”
She patted his arm. “You’re a good man, Alpha. One of the best I know. You can’t be all things to all people. It’s not possible.”
“But we have so much here. Mother Moon blessed us, so don’t we have a responsibility to take anyone who needs us?”
Dani picked up the spoon, sprinkled a bit of salt and pepper into the soup, then went back to stirring. “I would never presume to tell you what to do.”
He snorted. “Nice one. Try again.”
A grin quirked the corner of her mouth. “Let me answer your question with one of my own. If I had left Lydon after Micah died, would you want us to be homeless, or would you want another pack to take us in?”
“Of course I would—oh.”
“Yes,oh. By picking and choosing the best people, how many others suffer from the indifference? Your ancestors always helped anyone who needed it, and you do your best to carry on in their traditions, but you’ve strayed from the core belief that we should extend a hand to anyone who needs it, Lydon wolves or not.”
He blew out a breath. “I am so glad you aren’t going to tell me what to do.”
“I’m not. I’m offering you insight. That’s all. Whatever you decide, that’s what we’ll do.”
Hehadcut himself off. In the back of his mind, Gareth knew it, but he’d tried to say it wasn’t happening. His father’s pack had numbered near a thousand—Gareth’s, only a few hundred. He’d truly believed being a small, prosperous group was preferable to a sprawling city of their kind. The thought of Dani and Caleb being homeless, though. That didn’t sit well with him at all. How many others had he turned a blind eye to?
Gareth scrubbed a hand over his head. “When did I lose my way?”
“Oh, Alpha.” She reached up and squeezed his shoulder. “You’ve never lost your way. Your idea is good, but the needs of our people are great. We are the wealthiest pack I know, and that means we have a responsibility to help those less fortunate than ourselves. A good shepherd can guide a large flock.”
Gareth chuckled. “Wolf and sheep metaphors. I’m not sure how well that will mix.” He blew out a breath. “So if I do this, will you continue to give me your wisdom?”
Her eyes went wide. “You would need wiser people than me.”
“You’re selling yourself short, Dani. You are one of the smartest people I know, and I would be honored if you would be my advisor.”
Her lip trembled, and she dropped to her knees. Gareth reached down and clutched her arm.
“No, we don’t do that anymore, remember? I am not a king—I’m an Alpha. A wolf, like you. No one kneels to me, especially those I count among my friends.”
When she peered up, there were tears in her eyes, silvery gems highlighted by the soft beams of light from the fixtures overhead. Gareth’s heart swelled.
“Please, stand up.”
He helped her to her feet and was surprised when she threw her arms around him. He’d never been an aloof Alpha, but he’d never been overly affectionate either. Still, he pulled her in and held her close.
And it was good.
Chapter Five
SEAN OPENEDhis eyes and squinted against the bright shaft of light that snuck past the closed curtain. He was warm and comfortable, and the bed didn’t smell like dirt. As much as he hated to think it, if hewasin prison, this might not be so terrible. He lifted the ruby-red blanket off him and padded through the open door into a large bathroom. He stepped up to the toilet and relieved himself, then gazed longingly at the shower. It had been weeks since he’d been truly clean. Maybe Gareth wouldn’t mind…. Really, as sensitive as a wolf’s nose was, he’d probably appreciate it.
A knock at the door drew his attention away from that train of thought. He returned to the main room.
“Hello?”
A woman’s voice. Sean cracked the door open. “Yes?”
She gave him a bright smile. “Good morning, Mr. Sean. I’m Dani, the housekeeper. I brought you fresh linens.”
