Page 41 of The Night Wolf
“But what does this have to do with the things going on around here?”
“What things?” Sean honestly had no clue what he was talking about. “What’s happening?”
“Last week, the entire pack was sitting out front, staring at your window.”
“What? No, that can’t be.” What the hell? That had never happened before. “I make people feel good when I’m around, but I don’t—I don’t understand.”
Gareth stepped behind Sean and put his hands on Sean’s shoulders. “You found a place you want to belong. You want safety. That is what was going on. When you slept, the wolves reacted to your fear. They came to protect you.”
The dreams. He remembered them clearly, how he begged for help and—
“Oh my God. I didn’t know. I’m sorry.” Sean lifted his head and stared at Gareth. “You have to let me leave. I’m a danger.”
“No, you’re not. You are a man who has never had a home before. Don’t walk away from it.” Gareth stepped in front of him. “Lyram, tell him.”
Lyram came to Sean’s side. “You are pack. We would die for you.”
“But I forced you to do things against your will.”
For the first time, Sean got to see Lyram smile. It looked good on him. “No, you trusted us to protect and keep you safe. There is no honor higher. And if you are an Omega, we are privileged to have you here.”
Then Lyram did something Sean never expected. He knelt by Sean’s side.
“I only know stories of the time from long ago, but Omegas are sacred. They are the heart of a pack, and we would do anything to keep you safe.”
Before Sean could say anything, Lyram continued.
“Even if you aren’t an Omega, Sean, you’re one of us. As I would for our Alpha, I would lay down my life for anyone here. This is what makes us pack, and this is our strength.”
Sean swallowed hard. What had he done to deserve a pack like this? He turned his head up and found Gareth standing over him, smiling. His heart beat a little faster. He owed this man his life, but what he felt in his heart wasn’t gratitude. Gareth’s eyes, his smile, his strength. Those were the things that called to Sean.
“Thank you. Both of you.”
He wished he had words to convey what was in his heart, but he doubted such words even existed.
“Come on. We have a funeral to see to.”
Sean got up and trailed behind his Alpha and Beta. From this day forward, no longer would he think his place wasn’t here, by their sides. He was an Omega, and he was theirs for as long as they would have him.
Unease squirmed in his gut. There was still the other thing they didn’t know about Sean. If—when—Sean told them, would it change things? He hoped not, but couldn’t see how it wouldn’t. He knew he needed to tell Gareth the truth, but… maybe tomorrow.
Gareth stopped in front of Ethan’s family. “Martha, this is Sean. Sean, this is Martha and her sons, William and Joshua.”
Something flashed in her eyes, but it was gone just as quickly. She held out a hand. “Thank you for coming.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know Ethan, but I mourn his passing with you.”
She gave a watery smile and leaned in closer to Sean, who rubbed his cheek against hers. She sighed, obviously grateful for the contact. For the first time, Sean wanted to use his ability to help. He let slip the tight rein he tried to keep on his powers and did what he could for the family, wanting to take away as much of their pain as possible. Their eyes softened and they all moved closer to Sean. The boys sighed wistfully.
“Thank you.”
They probably had no idea what they were thanking Sean for, but it was okay. When Gareth gripped his shoulder, Sean stepped back and looked up. Gareth was smiling at him, and it made Sean feel warm and gooey inside.
He leaned close and whispered in Sean’s ear, “Thank you for that.”
To hear the sweet tone of Gareth’s voice, Sean would do anything.
No matter what the cost.
