Page 50 of Wolf Crowned

I should tell her no and shut down this crazy idea right now, but how could I? I got what she was saying and she was right. She couldn’t run if we failed. Alpha Dane would catch up to her and probably kill her as soon as she had the baby, if not sooner. But I didn’t want to make Ian or Jacob mad at me. They’d done so much.

I crossed my arms over my chest, hugging my middle. “Can I think about it? I also think you should talk to Jacob again. It’d be better for you to go with him.” He was her mate. If she was going to do this, she belonged with him. I didn’t want to do anything behind his back.

Willa gave me a watery smile. “Of course. I’ll try again when he gets done with his patrol shift.”

She motioned with her thumb over her shoulder. “It is late. I’m going to head to bed. Jacob should be off his watch soon, anyway. But let me know if you need something. Otherwise, I’ll see you guys in the morning and I’ll be thinking about Sawyer.”

I waved at her. “Good night, Willa.”

Once she was in her bedroom, I looked at Lincoln. He’d been standing there, staring dejectedly at the couch for a while.

I put my hand on his cheek, tilting his face up so he had to look at me.“Talk to me.”

He averted his gaze. His lips turned down. “I know what we’re doing, but I guess it hasn’t hit me until now.”

I cocked my head to the side, my gaze flitting over his face.

He huffed and closed his eyes. “The only way to win is to kill my dad. I thought I was prepared after all the horrible things he’s done, but...”

I touched my forehead to his. “He’ll always be your dad. He was a good man once.” I gave him a small smile. “It’s not wrong to still love him.”

He blinked his eyes open and pulled back, putting his hands on my elbows. “He’s done horrible things, Sloane. Unforgivable. And yet, I’m not sure I can do it.”

My heart sank. I’d never known that side of Alpha Dane, but Lincoln had. I couldn’t imagine what he was going through right now.

I tugged him into a hug. “It’s going to be okay. It doesn’t have to be you.”

But it would be someone. And Lincoln would have to live with this for the rest of his life. I hoped he wasn’t having second thoughts. Alpha Dane had to be stopped, no matter what.

Eighteen

Sloane

I couldn’t sleep. Sawyer was still radio silent. Each hour that went by with no contact made me more on edge.

I rolled out from under Lincoln’s arm and carefully pushed the covers back as I climbed out of bed. I covered him back up and sighed as I watched him for a moment. He looked peaceful. It had been a fitful night for him too, and he’d only been asleep for a few minutes. One of us should sleep.

I tiptoed across the room and grabbed a hoodie from the closet, tossing it on before putting my hand on the doorknob.

I chewed my lower lip, slowly turning it and wincing when the door creaked. My gaze jumped to the bed. Lincoln snored softly. He opened and closed his mouth and then rolled over.

I waited a few moments before opening the door the rest of the way and leaving. The house was quiet at this time of night. The ancient cable box by the TV said it was just before four in the morning.

My butt should go back to bed. My eyes were heavy, but I’d been lying there wide awake for at least an hour.

Sleep wasn’t on the cards for me tonight. I opened the front door, grunting as the icy morning air greeted me. I wrapped my arms around my middle and ambled down the path, heading for the graveyard.

It had been a few days since I’d been, and maybe this was what I needed.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one. Someone else was here. My heart kicked up a notch as I narrowed my eyes. Then the familiar earthy dew scent hit me. Brandon.

I stepped on a stick and he jumped, spinning around. His eyes flashed golden as they partially shifted.

I held up both hands. “Whoa. It’s just me.”

He jammed his hands back in his sweater pockets and stared up at the sky as he let out a breath. “Sloane, you scared me. I didn’t realize anyone else was wandering around out here.”

I shoved my hands back into my sweater, too. My fingers were already stiff from the cold. “Sorry. I didn’t think anyone else would be out here.”

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