Page 33 of The Night Wolf
“My apologies, Lyram. I wasn’t sleeping, and…. Get your rest. We’ll talk later.”
“I’m awake now, Alpha.” He yawned. “I won’t get back to sleep if you don’t tell me why you called.”
“I was hoping for an update on the Ryker situation. Have you heard back from Ethan?”
For a moment there was silence, then a deep sigh. “No, Alpha. I’ve been calling his number, but there hasn’t been an answer. I also did some discreet inquiries about making a bid to buy Ryker out, but everything I find is that he’s got money. Lots of it.”
Which made sense, if he was going to pony up a million to get Sean back.
“So then we’re not going the usual route.”
“I’ll keep looking.” He groaned, and Gareth assumed he was getting out of bed. “Gimme a few hours and—”
“And nothing. Get back to sleep, Lyram. Again, I’m sorry I woke you. This could have waited until morning.”
“Can I say something and you promise not to bite my head off?”
It was strange he was asking. Lyram always spoke his mind. “Go ahead.”
“You like Sean, don’t you?”
“What? Of course. He’s one of mine.”
“No, Alpha. I mean youlikehim.”
“That’s absurd. I don’t even know him.” How could Lyram tell? “He’s been here all of two weeks now.”
“You’re protective of him in a way I’ve never seen before. Even that first night, your wolf regarded him as something special. When I was in the clinic, you never sat by my bed and held my hand. You never put a wet cloth on my head or stroked my hair. Now, I know you’re going to make an excuse, but to be honest, you don’t need to do so. Sean has had a good effect on you. You smile more. You’re more affectionate with everyone, especially Caleb and Dani. It’s like… I don’t even know how to say it. It’s like Sean opened your eyes to what was around you.”
“Go to sleep, Lyram. We’ll talk more in the morning.”
“Okay.”
Gareth had his finger over the End Call button when he heard Lyram call him.
“We’re wolves, you know.”
Gareth chuckled. “Yes, I’m fully aware.”
“If yours has plans for Sean, you’d best get used to it. Sometimes our animals are smarter than us. They don’t get bogged down in bullshit, instead going straight to the heart of the matter. If your wolf has his heart set on Sean, then that’s what’s going to happen. Good night, Alpha.”
He hung up, leaving Gareth to stare at his phone and wonder about his life. He reached into his mind, wanting to communicate with his wolf, who lay in the farthest recesses, asleep.
When I asked what you wanted, you showed me pictures of Sean. Are you trying to tell me you want him?
Bleary eyes opened. It seemed that even Gareth’s wolf hadn’t been sleeping much. It yawned, then sat up, staring back at him.
What is it you want from Sean?
In answer, more images of Sean flashed in Gareth’s mind. Of his wolf and Sean’s, curled up together on the living room floor, in front of the enormous pack Christmas tree, with the hundreds of lights and baubles made by the kids. Through the picture window, the snow was falling hard and heavy, but the room was filled with warmth. Gareth’s wolf’s head was draped over Sean’s wolf’s back, their eyes closed.
The domestic scene rocked Gareth. He’d never once thought of having a spouse—of either gender—and never before had his wolf chimed in on what it wanted. Now, though? There was an ache inside Gareth, and only Sean could fill that.
His wolf stood, glaring at Gareth. His eyes narrowed, the violet hue now just slits. The vision it had shown Gareth was back, but this time Gareth took a deeper look, and what he saw confused the shit out of him.
The wolf licked Sean behind the ear, both of them sighing in contentment. Gareth’s wolf nudged Sean’s, urging him to lie on his side. When he did, Gareth couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Sean’s wolf lay there, his belly swollen.
The wolf peered at Gareth, his eyes heavy, and through him, Gareth could feel the peace and tranquility he’d never known his wolf to have before.
