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With my arm around his, Ivan led me on a small walk around the pack house building, a place that had come to be my home. Tonight was the anniversary of the day I officially joined the Night Mountain Pack, which Ivan and I typically quietly celebrated in a way similar to this. A glass of champagne or a bit of cake, a walk, a few words of gratitude.
While I was still incredibly grateful to Ivan for all he has done for me, and grateful to the pack at large for being so accepting and kind, I wasn’t feeling particularly celebratory this evening.
So much had been happening. Some of it was good, like having my son here with me, but even that happiness was tainted by the circumstances that Leo was only here to save his life. A lot of people were out there who wanted him dead, or at least wanted the hefty sum that Leo’s death would give them.
“Maybe we should postpone the celebrations,” I said. “When Leo is safe, I will be able to celebrate more properly.”
“Time doesn’t wait for anyone,” Ivan said. “We have to take our moments of reflection and joy where and when we can.”
I tried to see the wisdom in that, but with my fear for my son’s life so loud, it was difficult to focus on much else, let alone reflect on the past. Glancing at Ivan, I began to feel a deep suspicion that he might not believe my son’s danger had an end any time soon. “We will solve this for Leo, and he will be safe again.”
“We will solve this, and we will protect him,” Ivan said. “But he is the heir to a powerful werewolf pack, Claire. His safety will never he entirely assured.”
I knew that, deep down, but I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to fully acknowledge that. Maybe I’d always worry about him. Or maybe once he was old enough to properly take care of himself, I could finally relax.
I doubted it though.
“Leo is safe right now,” Ivan said. “He is in the pack house, right here, right now, resting. We ourselves are guarding him.”
“I know.”
Ivan stopped and turned toward me. He released my arm to hold my hand instead. “You cannot go on like this, Claire. You will wear yourself down until you are of no use to him. Trust my pack. Trust your home. Trust me. While Leo is within the borders of the Night Mountain Pack, no harm will come to him.
Ivan was so steady, so confident, and so strong, that despite our age difference, I knew he would make a good provider and mate. Looking at him in this moment, I vaguely wished that I had any wish to love again. If I did, I could do far worse than Ivan.
Unfortunately, my heart was walled off, as I refused to love again
We stared at each other in the dark, with the stars shining overhead. A lot remained unsaid between us, but the words felt closer to the surface here in the night.
Then Ivan’s phone started to ring, and whatever moment had been building abruptly broke.
He released my hand and I pulled it away. His phone was in his pocket. After retrieving it, he brought it to his ear.
“This is Alpha Ivan.”
As he listened, his face grew more and more grim. “When?” He stened more. “I see. No. I’ll take care of it.
When Ivan clicked off the phone, I asked quickly, “What’s happening? Is something wrong?
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Chapter 91
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Ivan returned his phone to his pocket. “Gideon was seen crossing the border. He’s likely on his way here, if he’s not already somewhere nearby.”
I started to look around. Why would he cross the border so suddenly? Did something happen? Was something wrong?
“Can you sense him?” I asked Ivan. As an Alpha, Ivan had even stronger senses than I could.
Ivan closed his eyes, seemingly listening. “Yes, he’s –”
“I’m right here,” Gideon said, stepping out from the deep shadows of the tree line. Immediately, I half turned away, very aware of my vulnerable, bare face and how it left me exposed.
“Raven,” Gideon said, and took a step closer to me.
I winced, fearful of my identity being exposed.
Ivan stepped in front of me, separating Gideon and me. He was protecting me and my identity, but I wasn’t sure if Gideon saw it that way, since a low growl escaped the back of his throat.
Ivan only stood taller. He was still slightly shorter than Gideon, but like these, they were two very deadly Alphas posturing against one another. This could quickly devolve into a deadly fight, yet without my mask, I didn’t trust myself to intervene.
If Gideon discovered my true identity, I didn’t know what would happen. I could lose everything I had worked so hard to gain.
“You were supposed to send word of any visits,” Ivan said, his voice low and dangerous. “We agreed on advanced warning before you would attempt any crossing of my borders.”
“I’m sorry that I ruined your night,” Gideon said, his voice curt and filled with annoyance. What could have him so worked up like this? “I certainly didn’t mean to interrupt any late night rendezvous between you and Raven.”
Rendezvous? Was Gideon trying to imply that Ivan and I were romantically involved? My cheeks began to heat up as embarrassment surged within me. I tried to imagine the way Ivan and I were acting from an outsider’s perspective.
We had been going for a late night stroll. Then, there at the end, van had held my hand as we stared at each other….
I supposed I could see why Gideon thought what he did, but why should it matter? Certainly what he saw wasn’t what had made him so irritable? What did it matter to him if I was having a secret late–night walk with Ivan?
Ivan must have thought the same as me, because instead of correcting Gideon, he asked, “What are you doing here, Gideon?”
“I was worried about my son,” Gideon replied. “I want to see him Now.”
“It’s late,” Ivan said. “He’s sleeping.”
“He’ll still want to see me,” Gideon said.
I knew that was true. Leo would always want to see his father, and if he were to discover that Gideon was here and sent away without seeing him, Leo would be incredibly upset.
“You cross the pack borders flippantly, breaking all of the terms we set to our alliance,” Ivan said. “Now that you are here, you want to make demands of me?”
“Ivan,” I said softly.
Ivan stilled, then turned his head to indicate he was willing to listen to me.
“He’s right. Leo will want to see him,” I said.
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A muscle at the corner of Ivan’s jaw ticked. He didn’t say anything for a long moment, and neither did Gideon 1 borty worried that this confrontation might come to blows. Ivan was patient with me and the children, but his patience was known to extend beyond those of his pack.
Yet, even so, perhaps for me, Ivan sighed. “Very well. I will take you to see Leo”
AD
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