Page 26 of Cruel Alpha Daddy

“I see,” I say with a sigh. “I can’t really see an easy way out, either. What are you going to do about Tobias?”

“Well, I beat the living shit out of him for a start. I realized that I have a few of the older, original pack members behind me, which I didn’t expect. I’ve done a lot to change this place, and some of them actually appreciate it.”

I remember the women in the group, and their children. I can’t even imagine how they survived before Rider became their alpha.

Goddammit. Now I’m feeling some responsibility here, too. I’m the luna now. I could help Rider make this a respectful pack.

“Let’s get back,” Rider says, standing up. “Please, Fiona, eat something today. I’m trying, as hard as I can. I hope you understand that.”

“I do,” I answer, nodding. “I really do.”

We shift and run back through the woods. Having him by my side feels right. There is no other word for it.

He is my mate, and I can’t keep running from him.

It breaks my heart, but I have to stop trying to run away. If Rider knew why I was so determined to get back, he would probably let me go, but there’s no way to explain things to him. Not if I want to keep Caleb out of it.

So, what are you going to do? You can’t keep this secret for the rest of your life. At some point, you’ll have to choose. Return home to Caleb, or stay with Rider and never tell him.

The village comes into view, and I push the feelings away. All I can do is take it a day at a time and make the best decision I can in the moment. I can’t stay away from Caleb for much longer, but I feel too much for Rider to run again.

After we get dressed, Rider takes me to the main hall for breakfast. The atmosphere is relaxed and cheerful, and most of the pack hurries over to greet me.

“It’s good to see you, Luna,” a tall, older man says, taking my hand. “I’m Donny. This is my wife, Lilah, and my son, Todd.”

“Nice to meet you,” I say shyly. I give his hand a brief shake before turning to Lilah.

“We revere you, Luna,” she almost whispers. “We have waited a long time to see our pack made strong by the power of a she-wolf.”

There is a dark urgency in her eyes, and I’m almost overwhelmed by emotion. These women just want to protect their children, and this is the first taste of a normal life any of them have ever had.

I can’t abandon them.

Rider has walked away to talk to some of his pack brothers, and more of the women step forward to greet me. I can’t remember a single name in the huge circle of people around me, but the look of desperate hope on every face is identical.

Eventually, they take me to a table, and Rider comes to sit with me. I meet more members of the pack and his closest friends, Ryan, Tucker, and Luke. As Rider interacts with the pack, I see warmth in his eyes. He genuinely cares for these people and wants to make their lives better. The easy way he talks and the gentle, boyish smile remind me of the man I fell in love with.

But he is wild, too. That untamed nature lives within him still. He could run at any moment, just like he did before. If it destroyed me, what would it do to Caleb?

“Are you okay?” Rider asks, taking my hand and giving it a little squeeze.

“It’s overwhelming.”

“I’m sorry about that. But it’s been so long since these people had any hope or comfort. They look up to you. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen, but the pack is depending on you now.”

My son is depending on me, too!

I keep my mouth shut and my eyes down. I’ve never felt so conflicted in my whole life.

Rider deserves to know!

I let go of Rider’s hand and focus on my food, trying to settle my thoughts. I’m seriously considering telling Rider everything when there is a slight commotion by the door.

A momentary silence falls as everyone looks up, then quickly returns to their breakfast. Tobias and his goons have entered the hall, emanating menace as they walk up to the main table to get some food.

Tobias looks like he went through a meat grinder. Shifters heal fast, so his injuries had to be pretty bad if they still haven’t cleared up. His friends form a little circle around him. All of them glare around the room, daring anyone to try and kick them out.

Rider doesn’t react, but he watches their every move. I try to keep my eyes down but can’t help glancing up at Tobias every few seconds.

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