Page 20 of Savage Wolves

“Here, try this, Eliana.” Tristan cups his hand beneath a soup spoon with some sort of stew. “I think you’ll like it. It’s vegetarian. I know how you prefer that.”

I let Tristan feed me a spoonful of the soup and savor the burst of flavors crossing my tongue. It’s better than I expected, the vegetable stew reminding me of...my mother. I swear she made something like this growing up.

“My grandfather’s recipe,” Mirabel says, answering my thoughts. “He helped your grandma leave Shadow Moon.”

If Tristan wasn’t holding the spoon, I’d drop it. Like Slater, Mirabel is the grandchild of the man that knew my grandma. It makes this universe feel even smaller. Hearing it over and over still doesn’t make it easier to accept.

I have so many questions, but I don’t even really know what to ask. I just want to know more. Who was my grandma? Who was Eleanor Estrella?

“Don’t overwhelm the pup, Mirabel. Just give her a moment to relax before you ignite all her burning questions. This can’t be easy on her.” Slater rests his hands on the table, his plate sitting untouched in front of him. I don’t know why he doesn’t eat, but he stares at me with a strange expression on his face. I wish he would stop. I wish everyone would just give me some space. This is so weird and not the normal I’ve grown used to the last few weeks. I don’t know what to do with myself.

“It’s okay. I’m not overwhelmed. I’m just...I don’t know. All of this is different than what I’ve experienced before. The Sunset Pointe pack...had a bit of a different dynamic. It always felt like everyone was on the verge of fighting with each other and also with everyone else in the world. The only good thing was that Ravi was kind enough to me. A dick and definitely a manipulative bastard, yet still kind. As for the other packs, they were disgusting savages. I didn’t think I would be able to survive that. At least knowing more about my grandma and who helped her escape gives me some hope. It makes this feel less permanent.” I manage to steal the spoon from Tristan and shove it in my mouth. Instead of looking at anyone, I shovel the stew, using that as a distraction and a way to process.

“Eleanor’s circumstances were rather different, Eliana.” Mirabel reaches over and rests her hand on mine. “What I know of from my grandfather is that she was taken by mistake. She wasn’t unattached in the mortal world. She had someone to return to.”

“The packs fought about her. Most thought it was too late to return her because she knew too much. And then Crystal Rock went behind everyone and bit her. They were trying to force her to stay. No one questioned it after that except for our grandfather. His father had been bitten and changed and always talked about the human world. He knew that if Eleanor stayed, she would be miserable for the rest of her life knowing that she had someone missing her.” Slater hangs his head as if all of this is his fault. He must carry some sort of burden as an alpha, knowing what the other packs do.

“Oh.” I don’t know what else to say. It’s probably how I’m alive. How my grandmother was able to manage. Because once you’re in love with someone, you can get through a lot. If she had a significant other, then they might’ve accepted the fact that she was no longer human. Obviously, they figured out how to deal with it. If they hadn’t, I wouldn’t be alive.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry you ever had to deal with this.” Slater’s voice draws me to him, and I look up from the table and meet his gaze.

“You don’t have to apologize for something that isn’t your fault, but why don’t you guys put a stop to the kidnappings? I know there are several packs against it. There has to be something you can do.” I set down my spoon, and that’s when Slater picks up his and starts eating. I realize he was waiting for me to finish. I don’t know if it was out of respect or what, but the men on this island seem like the type to want to eat first, leaving the leftovers to pick at.

“We are doing what we can. We risked a lot just getting Tristan. We tried for some of the others, but too many wanted what Twilight Cove brought.” Slater wipes his mouth and sets the spoon down. “We were lucky there was so much chaos the last full moon. They are at it every month, and this time, far more than usual accepted the bite. I think you had something to do with it.”

Twilight Cove. I won’t forget Rocco, the bastard who tried to kill me because I had been bitten by the Sunset Pointe pack. He’s also the asshole alpha that Kellan abandoned. He seems to be responsible for most of this mess. It’s so hard to understand. I know there are twenty territories or something. I’ve only met a handful, so there’s still a lot I don’t know.

“You will get there. As much as you want answers, there is a time and a place. There are things that take precedence. You will learn. At least, that is, if you decide you would like to join the Ice Meadow pack. I would like to offer you a place to stay, Eliana.” Slater presses his lips together, locking his gaze to mine. I knew this was coming because of what Mirabel insinuated, but I just...

My stomach clenches as nausea grabs hold of me. I lift the glass of water and take a small sip, trying not to throw up everything I just consumed. I might’ve eaten too fast or it could be my body reminding me that my next decision shouldn’t be about me. I have to consider all my options. If I agree with Slater, I can plan without worry about how to get back to the human world. But then...it leaves me in purgatory with the guys. They should know. I need to tell them.

But how? How do I do so without putting myself at risk?

“I’m sorry. I need a moment to think. Tristan isn’t the only one I’m attached to. I know that’s probably weird, but I have bonded with others over this experience. I can’t just forget about them.” I scoot back, standing up.

“Wait. It’s far from weird. With so many males...it’s not unheard of. Alphas claim omegas, but there is more to it. Different needs that have to be met. It takes a whole pack to keep things going, and I understand how circumstances brought you together with others from different packs. I just want you to also consider things for yourself. You’re important to our world.” Slater’s eyes flash gold as he confirms what Mirabel had mentioned.

I thin my lips. “I am considering myself. I can’t just forget everyone. They are just as important to me. We made a promise.”

“What if I show you they’re okay? One of my allies snagged a black-haired man. He’s not far. I can arrange for you to see him.” Slater stands up, towering over me. His jade green eyes plead for me to hear them out.

“I was taken from Sunset Pointe. What about them? Chase was hurt badly. Adam is there too. And Davian, he’s with...oh no. He’s with Twilight Cove. I can’t stay here when he’s suffering with that pack.” Tears burn my eyes as everything rushes back to me. I’ve been suppressing the thoughts of the others because of the constant battles and trauma I’ve been facing. But now that the world settles around me, I can’t ignore it. I can’t just hide away on an icy mountain—

“Eliana, those men aren’t your responsibility anymore. They never were. Right now, you are who is most important. We need to take care of you. Please, give Slater a chance to think things through before you just shut him down.” Mirabel’s words whisper in my mind as she reminds me of my pregnancy. Would I be a horrible person if I agree with her? Can I live with myself?

Warm arms engulf me from behind, and Tristan rests his chin on my shoulder. “We will figure out how to get Davian. I promise. Evander too. Maybe we can go on a trip tomorrow? I don’t think it would hurt to scope things out. Chase and Adam could probably team up and kick Ravi’s ass if they knew you wanted to be here instead. I’ll help. What do you think, Slater? You said that with enough practice, anyone can resist an alpha’s orders.”

Slater sighs and looks at me. “I need her to agree first. I will not risk our pack for a maybe.”

Fuck.

“Please, Eliana. Stay. We will get the others. Trust me. Trust in my pack. The others will agree with whatever you want. You’re a she-wolf. You need to be cared for, and your wolf will choose those who do it best. All we care about is you and what you need.” Tristan’s words stab at me deeply, because he already claims these people as part of his pack. He was supposed to be on mine. We had made a promise.

But what else can I do? I can’t do this alone. I need to be smart about it. I need to accept the fact that I’m not some powerful, badass person who can take a damn island down. I need to start small. I need to crack the foundation of power first, and then everything else will fall.

“Okay. I’ll stay.” I turn my gaze to Slater. “You have to promise me you’ll get the others. If you don’t...” I have nothing to threaten him with.

“We will,” Tristan says, interrupting.

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