Page 32 of Married to the Wolf

She gave Sophia a look that said, “Are you serious?” Was their hearing that good, or did she feel Sophia had no business getting into her business? Convincing the woman to open up seemed like it would be a task, but hell, being the wife of these people’s leader probably meant she had certain responsibilities of her own. If she was going to stay with Sebastian and give her marriage a chance, she had to embrace his people.

Belle continued to look around while Sophia tried to think of something to convince her. She chewed her thumbnail and then to Sophia’s surprise, she moved closer. “I hate him,” she whispered. “He hits me.”

Sophia gasped. “Then he needs to draw back nubs when he raises his hand against you. You said you have a child. Your baby doesn’t need to be raised in that kind of environment. That bastard doesn’t hit your son, does he?”

“No, of course not.”

“There are programs that can help a woman escape an abusive relationship.” Sophia recalled whom she spoke with. Maybe shifters were hesitant or prevented in some way of taking advantage of human services. Weird. She’d never thought of the term human services as being about humans. “Sebastian can help if it’s about money. He said there’s a fund for all of you. Maybe he can increase your portion just until you get on your feet.”

Belle glared. “The alpha won’t help.”

Sophia glanced over her shoulder. At that moment her husband was speaking with two other men, one being Belle’s husband. Sebastian’s sensual gaze touched hers, and she wondered if he heard every word they spoke even over all the noise. His expression gave nothing away.

Can you read my mind?

He didn’t react, so she focused on Belle again. “Why do you say that? From what I’ve seen, Sebastian is fanatical about helping his people. I would think he’d be your biggest supporter, and if I’m wrong trust and believe he’ll hear from me.”

Belle’s expression turned bitter. “I know he won’t help. He only cares about families, not single people. He doesn’t like any of us to remain single because all he wants is for us to make more babies. Don’t you know that’s why we have these parties?”

Her level of anger took Sophia aback. “I’m pretty sure the party is to introduce me to everyone.”

Belle sniffed in disgust. “There are wolf shifters here from other areas, not just Savannah. You wouldn’t be able to tell.”

Sophia scanned the room. She was right. They all looked human to her. Heck, even the various voices carried the southern twang. She supposed they could be from other southern states, but then she hadn’t yet worked the room to meet everyone.

“Sebastian invites packs from other areas, ones we are in allegiance with in the hopes some of us will find our mates. Hence, the pack will grow.”

“Okay, but then there’s a chance the couple will go with the other group, right?”

She sneered. “Sebastian is the most powerful wolf on the east coast and arguably the entire south. None of the other alphas would dare challenge him if he decides he wants all new couples.”

“Now you’re making it sound like none of you are free to do whatever you want. This is America. Anybody can live wherever they like.”

Belle laughed, a hollow sound. “You don’t know anything. If you want to live outside the control of an alpha, you live as a lone wolf. No one wants that. There is no help if you ever get into trouble. No one will support you. There’s no family, and since you can’t reveal your existence because it would threaten the others, you live isolated. Even if you do decide to do it, you’re monitored.”

Sophia blinked in surprise. “What do you mean monitored?”

“Someone is assigned to watch you—forever. One false move, and you’re killed. No questions asked. So, the alternative is to live in a pack, and the alpha’s word is law.”

Sophia looked toward her husband again. She wondered if everything Belle was saying was true. Did he truly imprison his people or at least make them feel like they couldn’t get away? Would he block them from leaving or prevent another pack from taking in newly formed couples?

The words Belle spoke sounded foreign to her ears when it came to the Sebastian she knew. Sure, he was dominant—far more dominant than any man she had ever known. He’d sent her to her room like a child the other day and commanded Ava to keep her there. If that wasn’t an example of his control she didn’t know what was. Yet, he’d also put off assigning her Guard until she agreed, and in the end he didn’t force her to take Ava. She’d done so of her own accord.

Then again, I’m human. What about them, his people?

She was so tired of questioning him and his character. This should have all been resolved before she said I Do, but she hadn’t had all the facts back then. Sebastian was the love of her life, and it scared her to think he might be a bad guy.

This time Sebastian had his back to her. When she looked at him he seemed to sense her gaze and turned. He raised a hand as if to indicate she should come to him. She hesitated, but this wasn’t the place to demonstrate her independence. She’d come there tonight to show her allegiance with Sebastian and to put a huge crimp in Jack’s plan to undermine his authority.

“Belle, I’m going to talk to Sebastian. I know I can convince him to help you, but I don’t think it will take all that. He cares about you just as much as the next shifter.”

Belle spun away, apparently done with their conversation. Sophia watched her make her way toward

the door. She glanced at the watch on her arm, which she had been doing every so often. Sophia didn’t blame her if she felt the party was just a matchmaking event. Somehow, she would have to get Sebastian to work things out on Belle’s behalf. If he even suggested Belle stay with an abusive spouse, he would regret it.

She joined her husband, and he skimmed a hand over her waist to her lower back. Chills of delight passed over her body at the spot where he touched. He leaned in and brushed his lips across her cheek, and she breathed in his delicious scent. A combination of aftershave and soap tickled her senses, but she didn’t let it distract her from having a conversation with him.

“Sebastian,” she began.

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