Page 21 of Howling With Wolves

“She stopped being my mother a long time ago.”

I glared at Cyan. “No, she didn’t. She was the best mother she could be under the circumstances. She sent you away to keep you safe. Neither of us knows what it cost her, what she suffered. She’s not the type to share that. She’s the type to make sure everyone else is okay and put herself last. I get that you were a young boy who’d just lost his father. I don’t presume to understand what you went through. But don’t for one moment think her life was all sunshine and roses once you were gone.”

“The woman mated and had three children,” Cyan countered.

“I know, but until you have that conversation with her, until you allow her to share her reasons, don’t pass judgement. Please. I’ve lost a brother and found a brother, and thoughnothing will ever replace Jonathan, I want a relationship with you. Not just because I’m part of this pack now, but because you’re my brother.”

Cyan stepped forward and pulled me from my mates and into a tight hug. I clung to him. It was funny how I could feel so many emotions for a man I still didn’t really know. Maybe, it was the blood we shared. Maybe, it was the bits and pieces of my mother I saw in him. I didn’t know for sure, but I wanted the chance to know him and love him as the brother he should have always been.

“I’ll try,” Cyan promised then eased back so he could meet my gaze again. “But I won’t let that bastard bring his rampage here where my mate and her sister might be hurt. I won’t let him hurt this pack.”

“We won’t,” Bastion stated, putting his hand on Cyan’s shoulder and squeezing.

“Then let me help. Use me to draw him out.”

Anthony and Donovan both tensed at that. I felt the testosterone fill the room as all the men took offense to that suggestion.

“Hell, no!” Donovan growled.

“We won’t be using you for any such thing, love,” Anthony added with a rumble in his chest.

“No offense, Emma, but I don’t think it would work anyway,” Michael added, reminding me that he and Piper were both in the room.

“Why not?” I demanded. I’d been the one dumped on their doorstep. Literally. I had the right to play a role in keeping everyone safe.

Michael looked uncomfortable, and I realized he didn’t want to hurt my feelings. He glanced at Donovan and Anthony, and I wasn’t surprised when one of my mates took over.

“No matter what happened with your father’s pack, sending you here was always about drawing Cyan out. He’s the target here,” Anthony said

“You’d only be another person to use against him,” Donovan offered then framed my face in his hands. “If you even think, for one moment, we would ever allow you to be used as bait for a madman, think again.”

“He won’t get his hands on you,” Anthony added.

I’d never felt so loved and protected. This was what my mom should have had. I wondered if she’d felt this way for Cyan’s father. I hoped I’d be able to ask her one day soon.

Chapter Ten

~ Emma ~

I sat on the sofa in the den, with Piper beside me. Raina and Ivy were across from us. The rest of the women were gathered in the kitchen, cooking, drinking wine, and laughing. I couldn’t unwind, and the last thing I needed was alcohol. Anthony and Donovan had both been in twice to check on me, which I loved, but it was also driving me crazy. I was past ready for us to find our normal, whatever that may be. Which meant dealing with my family. Specifically, my father.

“None of this is your fault,” Ivy said as if she could read the direction my thoughts were taking.

I had to admit I liked Cyan’s mate. It was easy to see the love they shared, and the way he treated Ivy’s sister, Jasmine, was as if she were his younger sister. He and Ivy both doted on the girl. I’d heard about their mother, how she’d entertained various men in the pack and essentially abandoned both of her daughters. The difference was that Jasmine had Ivy. The more I learned about Ivy, the more I respected her and what she’d endured to take care of her baby sister.

Ivy also had Raina and Rowan Byrd. She and Raina had been best friends since they were little. Rowan had watched over both of them until his near death and disappearance. I still hadn’t met Rowan, but the two women across from Piper and me spoke very highly of the alpha of the Rigton wolves. I honestly looked forward to finally meeting him and his mate, Sasha.

“Emma.”

I glanced over at Piper then back to Ivy and Raina. I wasn’t sure how many times they might have called my name, but from their expressions, I knew it had been more than once.

“Sorry,” I said automatically then remembered Ivy’s previous comment. “Thank you. I know none of this is my fault, but it doesn’t ease my guilt.”

“You have nothing to feel guilty about,” Piper said. “Your father used you. That’s on him not you.”

I nodded. Opened then closed my mouth as tears threatened. Once upon a time, I would have done anything to get my father’s attention, to hear him say something kind or loving to me. I’d wanted that desperately. For him to love me the way he did my brothers. Now, I wished I’d remained completely off his radar. Worse than knowing he never loved me was knowing he’d viewed me as nothing more than a piece of bait to dangle when the time was right.

“Oh, Emma.”

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