Page 69 of The Strongest Wolf

“She will.”

“But if she doesn’t,” Dom repeats.

“She will.” I jerk my gaze away from the menu, my voice harder now. “Are you hinting at something, Dom, because if you think Sierra isn’t good enough to—”

“No.” It’s rare for Dom to interrupt me, but the firmness in his voice stills my anger. For a moment. When he continues, his voice is his usual calm tone. “That isn’t what I’m saying. But…” he sighs.

“But what?” A car alarm distracts me, and I lift my hand to wave forward the black jeep idling behind me. My empty belly can wait.

The black jeep swings around, heading for the drive-thru.

“I’ve been in war,” Dom says, his voice low and controlled. “More than once. And from what you’ve told me about Dexter and the way they ran themselves there—preying on the weakest—constantly on the attack, it sounds like Sierra spent most of her life living through a war.”

It isn’t often Dom will talk about his life as a Marine, nor how and why he wound up as a lone wolf surrounded by humans, but when he does speak of it, I always listen. “You think she’s traumatized?”

“I think she’s still in survival mode,” Dom corrects me. “I think two weeks isn’t nearly long enough to change the mindset she would have needed to survive the shit she went through, and even a few extra days might not be enough.”

“Sierra is Sierra. She’ll recover.” I frown. “She’s not weak.”

“I’m not saying she’s weak. She sounds stronger than most, especially because her wolf is submissive. What I’m saying is it can take years to recover from trauma. And that’s before you even consider the hours of torture she lived through.”

Resting my head against the seat rest, I force a slow breath out as I gaze up at my truck roof, massaging my brow with my free hand. “You think she might never recover? That’s what you don’t want to tell me. Isn’t it?”

A long pause. “Some people don’t, but Sierra… she’s something else. I don’t know of any submissive who would’ve survived what she went through with their mind intact. I’m just warning you not to expect too much, too fast.”

“I’m not.” My mind brings up her form. Her striking beauty. Heart-shaped face and kissable pouty lips. Petite with curves in the right places.

It was her beauty that caught my attention at first. But it isn’t what holds it. I recall the strength in her silver stare, her refusal to back down not to protect herself, but to protect Eden. No matter what it cost her, she gave it and more.

“She’s the most stubborn woman in the world. She won’t just survive this, she’ll thrive.”

“You sound like you have it bad.” There’s a smile in his tone.

“She’s mine, Dom. No matter how long it takes, I’ll wait for her.” Even if it means traveling up to Hardin every single weekend to spend time with her, I’ll do it.

“How does she feel about that?” Dom’s question is quiet, thoughtful.

“About what?” I ask, ignoring my stomach growling when the scent of frying meat and salty fries wafts in my direction.

“About the being with you part?”

I think about the two unanswered phone calls, and her laughter as she sat beside Gavin. “I don’t know.”

Dom is silent for a beat. “I’d have thought that if she still wanted something to do with you after two snarl-filled weeks, she liked you.” He pauses. “A little.”

A smile twitches my lips. “Two snarl-filled weeks? It’s like you want me to kill you or something,” I mutter.

“Look, I’m sure her uncertainty is just a product of the hellhole you pulled her from.”

“That she pulledherselffrom,” I correct him. “I just got in the way.”

“Things will work out, because if anyone can put up with you in a cabin for two weeks…” His voice trails off. “She has more patience than just about anyone I know.”

“And if she can’t forgive me for what I did to her in Dexter?” I ask the question I haven’t dared asked Sierra. “The pack tormented her because of me, Dom. Bowentorturedher because I walked away and left her there. What if she can’t get past that? What if the reason she’s reluctant to come to New York is that she doesn’t trust I will have her back?”

“She will.” There’s no hint of doubt in his voice, yet I struggle to understand how he can be so certain. Maybe because he didn’t see what Bowen did to her. But I did. Things so bad that she still suffers from nightmares two weeks later.

It’s why I don’t ask her directly. One hesitation, one look in her eyes, and I’d have it confirmed. Facing the Stone pack on my own didn’t terrify me like the thought of asking Sierra if she still blames me does.

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