Page 23 of The Night Wolf
A rap at the door startled Sean. Were they already coming to tell him to get out?
“Just a minute.”
He crossed the room, taking in another feature of the room with each step. The dark blue paint and the white trim. The dark gold carpeting with moon patterns stitched into it. The bed where he’d had his first real night’s sleep. The bathroom with the amazing shower. He scrubbed his eyes, trying to brush away the tears he could feel tracking down his cheeks.
When he got to the door, he pulled it open, not surprised to find Gareth standing there, looking decidedly unhappy.
“I’m sorry,” Sean whispered.
“You should be. These steaks were for both of us, and if you don’t eat yours, I’m going to.”
Wait. What?“Steak?”
“We were supposed to have dinner, remember? The steaks Wolfgang sent us.” Gareth’s bottom lip jutted out. “It’s not rare anymore. It’s almost medium.”
A shudder went through Sean. When Gareth reached for him, Sean pulled away.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” He entered the room and crowded Sean against the wall. “Talk to me. Did I do something to upset you?”
Him?“No, it’s just… I’m sorry I touched you. I had no right to—”
“Stop. Just stop. We’re wolves, Sean. We thrive on touch. It’s why being part of a pack is so important. You needed comfort from me, and you felt safe enough to take it. Do you know how proud that makes me?”
Sean didn’t say anything.
“Okay, here…. Let’s try this a different way.”
Gareth reached out and cupped Sean’s cheek, his hand rough and warm. Sean tried not to, but he leaned into the touch, sighing as the sense of peace flowed over him again.
“I’m going to let you in on a secret that not many people know. I might be an Alpha, but do you have any idea how much I enjoy being touched too?” Gareth used his thumb to stroke Sean’s face. “Hardly anyone touches the Alpha, Sean. It meant a lot to me that you did.”
“Okay.”
“No, not ‘okay.’ Listen to me. Feel free to touch me. I love being hugged. I enjoy the contact just as much as any other wolf. Do you understand?”
“I—I think so.”
“Good. Stop worrying. If you ever did something wrong, I would tell you. Now, how about we go downstairs and grab the steaks that Dani has in the oven? I don’t know about you, but I’m starved.”
Unease settled in Sean’s stomach. “No, go ahead. I’m not all that hungry.”
Gareth frowned. “Do you think I can’t hear what you’re thinking?”
Sean sucked in a sharp breath. Could he read minds?
“No, I can’t read minds, but I don’t need to. Your expression tells me everything I need to know. What is it you’re afraid of? Can you at least tell me that?”
No, he couldn’t. He knew they’d seen the birthmark on his shoulder. The damn thing had given him away more than once.
“How about this, then…? When you feel like you want to talk to me about whatever it is that’s bothering you, then you come see me. I won’t press. Everyone is entitled to have their secrets.”
“This one could get people killed.”
Nowhe had Gareth’s attention.
“Explain.”
Sean drew in a breath, then blew it out slowly. “The mark on my shoulder? People seem to think that I’m the night wolf.”
