Page 20 of Claimed By the Alpha Pack

“Conrad and Griff too?”

“Yeah, them too.”

“What about Barrett?”

“Yup.”

The more people I name, the more his tone sounds defeated. I turn and look at Grams, tears threaten to break. “Gramps?” All Grams could do was nod. I understand why she had something against the Murphy boys. They reminded her of her late husband. Gramps was a good man, and he loved me and mom to no end.

“Tell me everything, Ethan.” I take my daughter back and pass her off to my grandmother. Standing up, I offer Ethan my hand. It’s his decision to plunge me into his world further. He takes my hand and stands up, leading me out onto the back porch. I have a feeling this is going to be a very long night.

Chapter 14

Ethan

~Bad Company - Five Finger Death Punch~

The moment of truth has come and I reach out through our brotherly bond. “I told Grace.”

“What do you mean you told Grace?” Griff is pissed, thinking I fucked up.

“She asked about her daughter. Am I supposed to fucking lie to our mate?”

The bond went silent for a while. “You did the right thing. We’re on our way.” I knew Conrad would get it.

I feel a tugging on my shirt and it snaps me back out of my conversation with my brothers. “Where did you go just now?” Grace asks softly. Her curiosity is comforting at this point.

Busted… “Well, I was talking to my brothers. They were making sure I got you here safely.”

Grace is insanely intelligent and watching her work through the information is delightful. She has beauty and brains. God’s willing, she’ll survive the mate bite when we try to turn her when she’s ready. “That’s a pretty cool benefit.” Nodding along, she huffs out a sigh. Now that catches my attention.

“What’s on your mind? I’m sure you have questions.” I may be the most unstable of us, but in Grace’s presence, I feel calm. My wolf isn’t trying to shred me from the inside.

“It’s more like I have something to tell you.” She scoots closer and angles herself to face me. “I have a recurring dream.” As soon as the first line is out of her mouth, my brothers, and Barrett step out of the woods. “I remember a pathway illuminated by the moon.” Bitting her bottom lip, she pauses as the others join us and sit on the porch.

“Two boys and I walk down the path. I’m the youngest of us, I think.” She closes her eyes, focusing on the memory. Conrad motions to himself and Barrett. I remember the moment she’s describing. Conrad showed us through the bond.

“Theres a pool of water. It looks like ink from where I’m standing.” She pauses again and smiles. “The older boy looks in the water first, then the younger one…” Her breathing picks up and I rest a hand on her thigh, trying to steady her, offering her support. Grace rests her hand on mine and then threads her fingers through mine. My breath hitches, feeling the rightness of her hand gripping my palm. My wolf is silent and not ripping me apart.

“It’s my turn to look,” Grace says and grips my hand tightly. “The mud on the bank was slippery. I look into the water and I see them, then wolves. Huge black wolves and one rust-colored one.” Her heart rate picks up and I pull her into my lap, much to Griffin’s dismay. Wrapping my arms around her, she settles down.

“She fell backwards, scared by what she had seen in the water. We tried to catch her, but we were too little to stop her from falling.” Conrad fills in and Grace opens her eyes, looking at him.

“I didn’t imagine it? It wasn’t a dream?” Grace looks between Barrett and Conrad, then Griffin and me.

“The pool reveals who you’re supposed to spend the rest of your life with.” Griffin says reluctantly.

Grace leans back against me and yawns. “Where is the pool from here?”

Shocked, we look at each other, then look back at her. “It’s actually here on your grandmother’s property. She’s its guardian.” Griffin answers, then looks back over his shoulder. The moon is high in the sky and the conditions are right.

Grace’s head whips around to face her grandmother and Elinor nods. “A human mate is the guardian because we won’t abuse the power of the pond.” Elinor leans against the rail and looks out towards the path. “I discovered the pond accidentally one day. I was walking through the woods after my first husband died, lost in my grief.” Grams sighs and I swear I can feel her pain. “I started pitching stones into the water pondering drowning myself in its murky waters. As the moon broke clear of the clouds, I saw Cliffy in the water. He had his arms wrapped around me.” A forced laugh escapes her lips.

“The next day in town, I saw him in the pub and when our eyes connected, it was like I was finally home.” As soon as the words fell from Elinor’s lips, Grace’s eyes widen.

In horror movies, you know that moment when the person is about to die and they make that slow turn and see the murderer? That’s the slow turn Grace did as she turned to face me. Her eyes search my entire face and I feel like if I move, I may frighten her. The acidic scent of fear rolls off of Grace, and my own nerves get the best of me. My brothers are all frozen, watching intently every single move that Grace makes. “Like home, you say Grams?”

“Yes dear, we don’t feel the mate bond like they do. They instantly know. We’re a little slow on the uptake with that one.” Elinor tries to make light of the bane of the wolves existence.

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