Page 22 of Sasha's Wounded Wolf

There was a knock at the door, and the sound of Nico clearing his throat.

“Raine is up and not waiting any longer for his mama to come downstairs.”

I opened the door. “We’re heading down now.”

“Christ, it smells like a bordello,” Nico groused, but his lips were tipped up in a grin.

He grabbed me as Sasha stepped out past him.

“I can’t believe you’re alive. I never heard a whisper. I would have gotten her to you. I swear. I wouldn’t have kept you apart.”

“I know that, Nic. Thank you. For keeping her safe. For being there for my son.”

“She’s my other half. He’s my nephew. Where else would I be?”

Sasha was already downstairs. I heard the murmur of voices then a giggle that hit me in the heart.

“He’s a great kid,” Nico whispered. “Looks just like you.”

“That’s what Sasha said.”

“What’s the plan?” Nico asked as we moved toward the staircase.

“To meet my son then let Easton know to arrange for Raina to come by.”

“She’ll be by anyway. She wants to spend more time with Raine. Get to know him. I meant what are you going to do about your father.”

I shook my head. Hell, I hadn’t once thought about my dad since I’d arrived.

“I’ll reach out and let him know I’m here, though I’m sure he suspects.”

“Why would he suspect that?” Nico asked then tilted his head to glare at me. “Don’t tell me he knows you’re alive.”

I nodded. “He was hurt trying to get to me. I had to let him know I was alive.”

“And he kept it to himself this entire time. Never said a word to anyone!” Nico was pissed.

“I asked him not to, Nic. We didn’t know anything except someone had arranged for my accident and Sasha was attacked.”

“I’d suggest you keep the fact Richard Byrd knew you were alive from my sister.”

“I know they didn’t get along, but he’ll come around.”

Nico snorted. “Maybe, they would have before, but not anymore.”

“Why? What happened?”

“Your accident. My sister’s attack. Both happened right after you told your dad you were announcing her as your mate.”

“That doesn’t mean…” I broke off as I contemplated that reminder. My dad had been adamant I not take Sasha as my mate. Had even told me to fuck her out of my system then find a mate who was more beneficial to the pack.

“He wouldn’t have done that.”

“Either way, his words are what kept my sister in isolation this entire time. There was no way she was coming to the Rigton Pack. She didn’t trust any of them. Not after what he said. I’m warning you, though; no matter what you think your father might or might not be capable of, Sasha believes it was him. If he shows up here, she’s prone to gut him first and ask questions never.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah, you didn’t see her when we went after the men who’d attacked her. They caught her by surprise, Ro. Beat the shit out of her. She jumped over the ridge into the falls just to get away, and I’m still not sure it was a jump as much as it was getting to the edge, leaning forward, and letting gravity take it from there. Then the rapids did a number on her against the rocks. She was unconscious when I found her, wedged up against a low tree limb along the bank. I thought she was dead. Hell, it’s a miracle she didn’t lose Raine.”

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