Page 23 of Wolf Sacrificed

Fight or flight was easier. But now we were all butting heads, and I hoped we could all come to some sort of peaceful resolution to work together. That was the only way we would win.

Sloane chewed her bottom lip, tucking it between her teeth while she dabbed at her eyes. She drew in a shuddering breath.

My heart ached, and I wished that I could make everything better between Lincoln and Sloane.

I reached out for her and pulled her to me, pressing her head against my chest. “Lincoln means well. He’s just worried.”

Sloane gripped my sweater. “I just hate being challenged. It’s bad enough that no one else believes in me. I don’t need him not to as well.” Her voice broke.

She looked up at me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. My heart thumped painfully. I hated seeing her cry.

I trailed my thumb underneath her eye, catching a stray tear as it slipped out. “It’s not that Lincoln doesn’t think you’re capable. We both know you are. He’s just worried about you. We don’t want anything to happen to you.”

She sobbed, making a few more tears trickle down her cheeks.

I pulled her to me. She buried her face in the crook of my neck.

Lincoln was being hard on her. I understood why, and I needed her to as well.

“You have to understand. Lincoln was there when my mom and Hannah were killed. He had to watch that, and he couldn’t do anything to help them. That was the single worst moment of his entire life.”

I smoothed my hand up and down her back as she began to cry. “This is all uncharted territory for him. He’s not used to being around this many people. He had to flee his home. You are both going through lots of changes. You just lost your dad and are now the alpha of the pack. Our stress has never been higher. The last thing we need to do is turn against each other.”

Sloane peered up through hooded lashes. “I feel like I have to prove myself, and he’s holding me back.”

I shook my head and cupped her face. “He’s not intentionally trying to hold you back. If he were, he wouldn’t be teaching you how to fight. I think he’s just as overwhelmed as you are, and you’re both showing it in different ways.”

Her head fell forward so it rested on my shoulder. “My dad was supposed to be here to help me with this. I never thought that I’d have to navigate being an alpha by myself. Until a week ago, I didn’t even think I was going to be alpha.”

She looked up at me, and her face crumpled as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Darrin was supposed to be the leader. There was never any question about it. And he’s gone, and now my dad’s gone. Everybody keeps telling me I have to be strong, and I feel like I’m doing my best. I just want to…”

She covered her face with her hands.

I kissed the top of her head and ran my hands up and down her arms. “I know how hard it is to hold every single emotion inside. It tears you apart. There are days I just want to punch my dad and make him see reason. I just want to leave and never go back.”

I exhaled. “The path we’re on now requires us to put anything we feel aside and make everything about the betterment of everyone else. It’s just what we have to do.”

Sloane sniffled. “I don’t know how you’ve done it for so long.”

I pressed my forehead against hers. “It’s not easy, and it never gets easier. I just remind myself why I do it. You and Lincoln are the most important things in the entire world. I have to be strong for the two of you.”

She opened her mouth and then shut it. “I’m afraid it’s going to get harder.”

I closed my eyes and rested against her for a moment. “I think you’re probably right.”

I knew that wasn’t what she wanted to hear, but lying wouldn’t do either of us any good.

I pulled back so I could look her in the eyes. “But we have to believe that we’re making things better. That our future will be brighter, and everyone will be better because of what we’re doing.”

Sloane nodded, and I could tell my words had the desired effect when she pressed her lips into a determined line. We were in this for the long haul together.

Her breath caught, and her lips parted. I realized then just how close we were, our mouths a hair’s breadth apart.

She closed the distance, her lips capturing mine. I pulled her closer, needing to feel every inch of her right now.

I skimmed my hands over her sides to her ass, and I hoisted her up. She wrapped her legs around my waist and ground against me.

She mumbled against my lips, “I need you, Sawyer.”

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