Page 32 of Wolf Sacrificed

He smoothed a hand over his balding head. “The Hamptons were good friends of mine. They told me what was happening. Poor Willa. They were so terrified for her.”

I shifted, angling myself toward him. “Alpha Dane did put Willa through quite the ordeal, but I think she’s come out stronger for it. She and Ian are both safe in my pack. We’ve taken in all survivors from Pack Hampton.”

He let his hand fall back into his lap, a pained expression on his face. “I’m glad to hear their kids are safe. Our children are the most precious things in the world.”

I couldn’t relate because I didn’t have any kids, and even thinking about having kids with everything happening right now would be insane. But maybe someday.

“That’s part of what I’m hoping to accomplish, Alpha Charles. A safe place where I can someday raise a family with my…mate.” I stumbled on the last word, forcing myself to say mate instead of mates.

He reached out and put a hand on my shoulder. “That’s very admirable of you. I wish for that too.”

He removed his hand and turned to look over his shoulder. He motioned to two of the guys standing off to the right. They were the spitting image of him, just about thirty or so years younger.

“I wish to have some grandchildren someday. Neither of my boys have found their mate yet. But hopefully soon. I’m not getting any younger.” He chuckled.

I pushed the sleeves of my sweater up. “I fear that if we let Alpha Dane continue on the path he is on, there won’t be a happy future for many of us. Your pack, mine, most of the packs in the United States, even.”

He arched a brow. “Do you really think his reach will go that far?”

I flexed my hands across my leg. “If he’s left with no one to stop him, eventually, yes. There will be no safe place left in the States. It’s why we have to make a stand now before he grows even stronger.”

He spread his arm out across the back of the bench, his fingers almost touching me. “You make excellent points. I believe your father would be proud of you.”

I let out a relieved breath. It was nice to hear that from someone unrelated to me. “Thank you.”

Alpha Charles looked out at his men. “You are not wrong about Alpha Dane. However, I don’t think my pack will be of any interest to him.”

The small relief I’d had a second ago slipped away. A weight pressed against my chest as dread filled me.

I sat up straighter and licked my lips. “I’m not sure you understand, sir.”

He drummed his fingers on the back of the bench. “I think it’s the opposite, dear child. You don’t understand. I have no women in my pack. My understanding is that he only cares about taking the women. He has no use for us men.”

I shook my head adamantly. He didn’t understand. I had to make him see reason.

“He thinks everyone is a threat. If you’re not with him, you’re against him. He needs men to join his ranks. He won’t just let you walk away or turn a blind eye or whatever it is you think he’s going to do.”

Alpha Charles stood and smoothed out his jacket. “I think I understand perfectly fine. He has reached out to us, but that is it. No threat, nothing. I told him we had no desire to join the fighting, and he was fine with it. It would be foolish of me to do something that would draw his ire. And I’m sorry to say, but joining your ranks would be doing just that.”

I shot to my feet and fisted my hands at my sides. “Why would you even bother meeting with me, then? Aren’t you worried he’ll somehow find out?”

An icy chill zipped down my spine, and I took a step back, bumping the back of my leg on the bench rail.

“Unless you sold us out?” I hissed, my lip curling up in disgust.

I glared at him.

Alpha Charles held up a hand. “It’s nothing like that. I assure you I would never sell someone else out, and I’m insulted that you would insinuate that.”

I crossed my arms. “And what am I supposed to think?”

Alpha Charles looked down at the ground before meeting my eyes again. “I just wanted to meet you, give you the benefit of the doubt. You seem smart and determined, but I don’t think that’ll be enough.”

I gritted my teeth. If looks could kill, he’d be dead right now. This jerk lured me out here for what? Just to meet me?

He jammed his hands into his jacket pockets. “Look, Alpha Dane isn’t going to bother my pack. You are a new alpha, and it’s good to know our neighboring packs. But after hearing what happened to the Hamptons and so many other packs around us, I just don’t want to involve my pack in that.”

I laughed bitterly. “If you really think Alpha Dane is going to leave you alone, you are a fool.”

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