Page 56 of Breathe Again

Kyle nodded. “I have a few options I can assist with. Why don’t we head back to the Alpha house and discuss?”

It was clear that they didn’t trust Luke with the security details despite the fact that he’d risked everything to get us the information.

“Luke, not sure how you managed to get this far into my territory without being detected, but do me a favor and get the hell out. Oh, and thanks. I owe you one for this.”

The two men shook hands and then both Alphas and their families left.

I was surprised to see that Cole didn’t go with them. “Don’t you need to be part of the security discussions?” I asked him.

“They’ll fill me in later,” he assured me.

“Guess that’s my queue to leave,” Luke said.

“You risked a lot to come here and warn us like that. I’m not real sure why you did, but thank you,” Cole told him, sincerely.

“They fear it could be a trap. A diversion for something worse. If the others find out I came here, they’ll change up their plans. They aren’t all idiots, so make sure they vary their security around the celebration. I won’t proclaim to be a friend, but I’m no threat to Collier either, or you,” he told Cole.

“Do you need a ride somewhere or anything?” Cole asked him.

“Nah. I’m good at flying under the radar,” Luke said giving him a cocky grin.

“I know you didn’t do this for us, or even Elizabeth. You came here because it was the right thing for most of your people. When the time comes, maybe you should consider a run for Alpha. I think you just might have the heart for it.”

Luke looked taken aback by his suggestion. “I’m not a leader, Cole Anderson, and right now, my people would consider me a traitor. I can live with that if the fallout from what they are planning doesn’t affect all of Larken. It really is only a few rogue wolves with a true beef against this place. The rest of us just want to live our lives and be left alone.”

“Good luck Luke,” I told him.

He nodded and left out of my back door, the same way he’d arrived.

“I’m sorry,” I said after he left. “I know you aren’t happy that he came to me.”

“Actually, I am. I’m happy he’s comfortable enough to come to you like this. It gives us a great advantage, even if it does turn out he’s lying. We’ll be on alert and more prepared for anything that arises. I’m just not sure I like why he did it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Why you, Elizabeth?” he asked.

“I honestly have no clue,” I told him. I could sense his insecurity and suspected he thought there may have been something between Luke Larken and me. There hadn’t, ever. We weren’t even friends, but we had never been enemies, either.

I surprised Cole by opening up our bond and pushing every memory I ever had of Luke towards him. I hated that he would even question it, but I didn’t want there to be any misunderstanding.

“Thank you,” he said, pulling me into a hug. “I needed that.”

I nodded, still slightly put off. “I can feel you have issues with trust. You’re always skeptical of others, but if there’s anyone in this entire world you can trust, it’s me. I’m literally an open book to you. You can see every thought, past to present, every memory I’ve ever had, and feel my emotions as I can feel yours. I cannot lie to you, ever.”

“I know, sweetheart. It’s all still pretty new and overwhelming, though. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happier than I ever thought possible, but I’m going to fall back to old habits from time to time. I’m not some perfect Prince Charming that is going to do or think or say the right things all the time.”

I smiled and stood up on my tippy toes, so I was face-to-face with him, then kissed him. “You’re wrong about that, you know. You’re my perfect prince, always have been, always will be. We are both far from perfect, and we may not do or say the right things sometimes, but that doesn’t make you any less perfect for me, and only me. My mate. My one true mate, hand-picked for me by God himself. It really doesn’t get much more perfect than that.”

Cole

Chapter 23

I chose to walk over to the Alpha house, leaving the SUV at Elizabeth’s. I needed the fresh air and time to clear my head. I hated that she had sensed my suspicions about her and Luke. She had broken my trust so thoroughly at such a young age that I had struggled to truly connect with anyone since, always skeptical of their intentions and unable to believe in happily-ever-afters.

Mating Elizabeth couldn’t just wipe that slate clean. It helped, and at times I felt so blissfully happy that I could almost forget it all. Almost. I wanted to be truly happy, but I feared a small part of me would always worry about tomorrow. Was I a moron for giving my heart to her so thoroughly once again? Could I trust her to keep it safe?

I knew that now that we were mated, things were different. We were fully bonded even, but it didn’t curb the fear. I had been so caught up in Elizabeth and so desperate to finally have her that I hadn’t stopped to consider the long-term ramifications of it all.

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