Page 85 of The Weakest Wolf

I shift to lie on my back. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Galen doesn’t speak for a long time. “So that’s it then. You’re ready to lie down and die?”

My gaze settles on the ceiling. “Yes.”

“Bullshit.”

“No. That’s what I want.”

His weight on the bed jostles me, but I don’t turn my head to face him.

When his face appears over mine, determination fills his eyes. “It isn’t what you want because you’re a fighter.”

“I’m a submissive wolf. We don’t fight, we hide.”

He shakes his head. “Not you. You’re the strongest wolf I know.”

I laugh, but it’s a hollow sound that goes on for far too long. “Strongest?”

He doesn’t laugh back. “Yes.”

“No,” I say as my laughter dies down. “I’m the weakest wolf. There’s not an ounce of strength in me.”

“You stayed and fought.” His eyes drill deep into mine. “Do you know what I did when my father convinced Melody I’d been unfaithful to her? Did I stay and fight for her? Did I kill my father for manipulating everything so he could get what he wanted?”

I don’t have a response for him, so I say nothing.

“I left. I told myself I would find a pack or I would build one. And when I’d created a safe place for Melody—for Eden, then I’d go back and get them.” He leans so close that I can count all his lashes. “I ran away. An alpha.”

I tell myself I don’t care. “Why did your father do that?”

Galen is looking at me, but I know it’s not me he’s seeing. His eyes are too distant for that. Maybe it’s Melody, or maybe he’s peering so deep into the past that he’s reliving a memory. “He wanted me to mate with a woman from another pack. He wanted allies more than he wanted his children to be happy.”

“So he broke you and Melody apart, and when you ran away, he mated Eden to Jared.”

He nods. “Yes. So, you see, you’re stronger than I am. You fought for what mattered to you. And you did what I didn't do. You protected Eden.”

I harden my expression. “What makes you think that?”

He makes a choked sound that’s half laugh, half frustrated growl. “Even now, you’re still…” his voice trails off and he shakes his head. “Someone saw you. You got Eden out of here. You gave her money and told her to keep moving. She got out of here because of you.”

“No, I don’t know—”

“Stop, Sierra.” He gentles his voice. “You don’t have to protect her from me. I never wanted to hurt her. I just wanted to do what I should’ve done long before now. Keep her safe.”

My eyes narrow, because this is just another trick.

He shakes his head. “It’s not a trick. Not anything. Just… it’s over, okay? I won’t ask again. You win.”

“You honestly expect me to believe that?”

“No,” he says, getting to his feet, “but I’ll prove it.”

When I twist to see him better, something sharp stabs me just below my heart and my world goes hazy with pain. By the time I’ve gotten my painful coughing fit under control, I’m half sitting in Galen’s lap, and my hand is covered in blood.

I stare at the blood coating my palm and I know it can’t be anything good.

“You’ll be okay, you’ll be okay,” Galen murmurs, his mouth against my head. I don’t know who he’s trying to convince. Him, or me.

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