Page 40 of The Night Wolf
“Have a seat, Sean.”
Sean did as he was bade. “Have I done something wrong?”
He didn’t think he had. He’d tried hard to be the model wolf. He studied, ate, then studied more. He rarely left his room, instead choosing to focus on the lessons that Caleb had planned for him.
“No, of course not. We wanted to talk to you about Ethan.”
Lyram stood stock-still, without even a hint of a sway. “There are things you need to know.”
About a man Sean had never met? “Okay.”
Gareth paced around the room. “For many years, since the time of my father, Ethan has been our fixer. When we have a problem, he is asked to deal with it. For many years that has been his sole focus. We gave him the job of finding out about Ryker, and—”
“And Ryker had him killed.” Oh God. This was Sean’s fault. Those grieving kids who would never hug their father again. Sean had taken him from them. “I—I….” He wrung his hands. “I should go. It would be best for everyone, I think.” He stood, ready to bolt.
“Sit down, Sean.”
It was a command, but Gareth didn’t push him on it. He just used his words. Sean slid back into the chair.
“This is not your fault.”
He snapped his gaze up. “How can you say that? Ryker is after me. Anyone in his way will get hurt.” He swallowed hard. “Or worse.”
“I sent Ethan. This is on me, no one else. I regret he died, but you were not the responsible person here. Do you understand?”
Sean wanted to believe him, but he knew better. “No, Alpha. This is my fault. I brought this to Lydon. And if I stay, it’s only going to get worse. Ryker wants me, and…. Maybe if I give myself to him, he’ll leave the rest of you alone.”
A growl emanated from somewhere deep inside Lyram’s throat. “Ours!”
When Sean turned to Lyram, he shivered. His eyes, which were normally deep blue, had gone black. His lips were curled back, showing sharp teeth. He was so near a change, it startled Sean.
“Yes, Lyram. Sean is ours. I need you to listen to me and relax.”
When Lyram didn’t move, Gareth got closer to him. Sean was ready to intercede if Lyram attacked, though he had no idea what he could do against an angry Beta.
“Lyram, stand down. That’s an order.”
This time Sean trembled as the wave of power flowed from Gareth. It wasn’t like Ryker’s. His had been about domination. Gareth’s was more about control. For a moment he didn’t think it was going to work, but then the darkness bled out of Lyram’s eyes.
“Alpha? What happened?”
“I think Sean knows the answer to that.” Gareth glanced over to him. “Don’t you?”
Sean sucked in a breath. Gareth knew the truth. Or at least part of it. “Yes, Alpha.”
“What are you talking about?” Lyram wobbled slightly. “What’s going on?”
“Sean, would you tell Lyram?” Gareth faced his Beta. “This goes no farther than this room. Do I make myself clear?”
“Of course.”
Sean looked down at his hands. Anywhere but at the faces of the two other men in the room. He didn’t want to do this. Everyone who knew treated Sean differently, and here he wanted to be normal.
“I… I’m an Omega.”
Lyram gasped. “But that’s not possible. They died out hundreds of years ago.”
Sean shook his head. “No, they didn’t die. Once wolves were at peace. Then petty squabbles broke out, which led to deeper divisions that not even the Omega could stop. Wolves became more and more warlike, and the Omega—the wolves that calmed them—had to go. Ryker told me he found books that detailed what an Omega was. He said the details were sketchy, but he thought if he claimed me, he could force me to make people accept him.”
