Page 83 of Wulf's Pack
Dennis hesitates in a way that skyrockets my suspicion. Isabella is on the same wavelength as me because she asks, “What is it you’re hoping to gain? What are you asking for in return for your help?”
He still doesn’t immediately answer. Whatever it is, it’s a big ask. Hopefully it’s something I can give him, because this girl may be the key to finding Skylar. “Out with it.”
He studies me, then looks at Bree, Ben, and Isabella. Then he watches his daughter again, and his resolve crumbles. “We won’t require anything in exchange. Abby just wants to help.”
“But…?” I ask, because his answer’s not that simple.
He lets out a breath. “But…” he agrees, nodding. “I’m hoping…” He bites his lip, looks at his daughter once more, then squares his shoulders. “Abby and I would like to join your pack.”
That is the last thing I expected him to say. I’m surprised enough that I don’t know how to answer him. He takes my lack of response as hesitation. “Please,” he says. “We’ve been on our own since Abby was born. My old pack refused to take her in, and my mate’s coven killed her when they learned of us. It was sheer luck I was gone with Abby when they attacked. I took Abby and ran, and I’ve been hiding her ever since. She needs family, friends, and protection. She needs a pack.”
“Why mine?” I ask. “Of all the packs in the country, what made you approach me?”
“You have a reputation in this city for being kind and helpful to all types of underworlders. You were a member of Nora Jacobs’s clan. I made a mistake once, and Nora was kind and compassionate when I didn’t deserve her forgiveness. She knows about Abby, but has kept her secret when she could have used it to take revenge on me.”
My curiosity skyrockets. That is a story I will be getting as soon as this current crisis is over.
“I trust and respect her,” Dennis continues. “And you are someone she cares about. You happily joined a family that included everything from vampires, to demons, to fae, and now you have a mixed-race pack.” He waves at Ben, Isabella, and Bree. “You have a cougar and a pair of hawks. I hoped you might be open-minded and accepting of a hybrid child.”
He’s got me there. I have absolutely no problem with Abby’s underworld status. And he’s right that she needs both pack and protection. Not just her. I’ll bet Dennis needs a pack as badly as she does. Most wolves do. I really was a rare exception as a true lone wolf. I don’t know Dennis, but he clearly loves his daughter, and Abby has a beautiful soul. He can’t be that bad. They need us, and it wouldn’t hurt to have another strong alpha, though having Abby could add another target on our pack.
One look at the girl, and I know she’s worth the trouble it might take to keep her safe. I can’t turn them away. “You’ve been packless a long time,” I say. “Could you accept the rule of an alpha?”
Dennis stiffens, but both surprise and hope light up his face. “I’ve never had a problem with authority, and you are a man I already respect. I would be honored to call you Alpha.”
I nod, then turn my attention to Abby. “And how about you? Would you like to join our pack?”
Abby’s eyes pop wide, and she nods vigorously. “I’ve always wanted a pack!”
“Could you follow the rules, be nice to the other shifters, even the ones who aren’t wolves, and do your part to help out with chores and things?”
She nods again. “I’ll be good. I promise.”
I crack a small smile at her eagerness, but sober again quickly. “Our pack is new, small, taboo, and we have an omegato protect,” I warn Dennis. “There will always be an element of danger for us.”
Dennis nods gravely. “There is always an element of danger in our lives anyway.”
He makes a good point. They may actually be safer with us despite the threats our pack might face. “We’re also a famous pack. Join us, and both you and Abby will be put in the spotlight. We won’t be able to hide her.”
Dennis takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. “I’m aware,” he admits. “But she needs a pack, and I have a feeling yours will be able to accept her for who she is. I believe the benefits outweigh the negatives.”
Again, I agree with him, and that was my last argument. “All right,” I relent. “If it’s what you both want, I will accept you into the pack, whether Abby helps us or not.”
Abby beams. “You mean it? We can join your pack?”
I match her smile. “Yeah, sweetheart. You can join the pack.”
She squeals and dives forward, wrapping her little arms around my neck. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I’m so excited!”
All of us standing here chuckle. None of us can resist her cuteness. This little one is going to have our entire pack wrapped around her finger in no time.
My wolf is every bit as enthusiastic as Abby, and he tries to shift. Luckily, he’s not pressing that hard, and I’m able to resist.Hold your horses, you psycho! We’ll claim them, but let me at least warn them and take off my damn clothes first. I’m running out of pants!
He huffs his annoyance, but he stops pushing.
I return Abby’s hug, then stand up. After one last confirmation from Dennis, I hop off the bleachers and crouch down to Abby’s eye level. “I need to shift in order to claim you aspack. My wolf will have to bite you, but he’ll be gentle, and it will only hurt for a second. You think you can be brave for me?”
Abby bites her lip and casts her father a nervous glance. He gives her an encouraging smile and takes her hand in his. Abby looks back at me and gives me a small nod.
