Page 9 of The Night Wolf
There was no doubt in Sean’s mind that if Gareth had meant to hurt him, he could have easily done so. Sean hadn’t the strength to defend himself against any Alpha, let alone one as powerful as Gareth. Now? The spaghetti had left him with a full stomach for the first time in months, Gareth’s energy was allowing Sean to heal wounds that were at least that old, and most surprising to Sean, he wasn’t afraid. In fact, he was grateful to Gareth for all he’d done.
Still, he wouldn’t be lulled into a false sense of security. He’d been wrong before, and he had learned the hard way that it was best to be wary. He would give Gareth and the doctor the benefit of the doubt, but he wouldn’t give them his trust.
The door opened, and Sean tensed. A shadow flickered off the wall, and terror zipped through Sean. He lurched up from the bed and hit the floor, ready to fight. What he found stopped him in his tracks.
The boy was young, not yet eighteen, judging by the peach fuzz on his face. His eyes were dark, and Sean wasn’t convinced it was a trick of the light.
“I won’t hurt you.”
“Who are you?”
The kid smiled. “Caleb. My mom is Gareth’s housekeeper.” He pointed to the chair. “Can I sit?”
Sean grinned at something he never thought he’d experience. The kid was more nervous than Sean. He sat down on a nearby chair. “Sure, go ahead.”
Caleb took a seat and leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. When he didn’t say anything, Sean cocked his head.
“Is something wrong?”
The frown told Sean there was something there. “What are you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re a wolf, but not like any I’ve ever met before. Where did you come from?”
The kid was so earnest that Sean let his guard down, just a bit. “I was born in Washington.”
“I saw you when they brought you in. I’ve never met anyone whose wolf was red. Most of us are gray, or a variation of. The only wolf I’ve ever seen that wasn’t is our Alpha’s, and his is white.”
Sean’s stomach lurched. “I’m the only red wolf I know of.” He squinted in the darkness. “Why are you here?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I should be afraid, I guess, but…. For some reason when I walked by, I was awash in a sea of peace and tranquility. It makes me feel good.”
No. It couldn’t have started already. Sean stood, frantic to get out while he could, but his legs wobbled, forcing him back onto the chair. He tried again, and this time he was able to get up. His head swam and his stomach twisted. He wanted to crawl back into the bed, but he had to get away now, before it was too late.
Caleb was on his feet, reaching for Sean. “What’s wrong? Where are you going?”
“I have to leave. Tell Gareth I said thank you, and I’ll be off his pack lands as soon as possible.” He stepped and pitched forward. The only thing that saved him from falling was the appearance of the man-mountain who snatched Sean up and held him against a firm body. Sean hated the fact that his body reacted to Gareth’s, but he couldn’t deny he enjoyed the warmth of the Alpha.
“What’s going on here?”
Caleb pointed to Sean. “He’s trying to leave.”
Sean drew away and sneered. “I’m not a prisoner!” Then he turned his gaze to Gareth and swallowed hard. “Am I?”
“What? No, of course you’re not. But where would you go?”
“I—I just need to leave.”
Damn it, why was this so hard? Sean hadn’t stayed for more than a day or two anywhere else. He couldn’t risk Ryker finding him. Not only would it end badly for Sean, but for anyone Ryker thought was helping him.
“Your body needs rest.”
The voice was deep and smoky, wrapping around Sean like a caress. Gareth reached out and stroked Sean’s hair, and Sean cursed himself for leaning into it. In less than a day, Gareth had slipped through every one of the defenses Sean had built up for the last ten years and made him feel something he hadn’t since he was sold to Ryker: safe.
“It’s better for you if I leave.” He turned a pleading gaze to Caleb. “You need to keep the pups safe.”
“I can take care of myself.” Caleb tried to puff up his chest, but there wasn’t anything there for him to work with. He deflated when he caught Gareth’s smirk. “I can, but I don’t need to.” He stepped closer and peered at Gareth with affection. “Alpha protects pack. That’s how it works.”
