Page 80 of Wolf's Fate

“Three days.” I blew out a breath, the memories hard to speak. “Cristone Pack were in my packlands. In our homes.”

“What did you do?” Her voice was filled with trepidation.

I met her look. I would not hide from her, notfor this. “I waited until they were all in our hall. They were celebrating theirwin. Their defeat of an unprotected pack.” I took in a shaky breath. “They celebrated the murder of my parents.” I held her wide-eyed stare. “And while they cheered for theirleader, I went into the hall and I served my revenge.”

Willow licked her lips. “What did you do?”

“I killed them.”

I saw her swallow, her eyes wide. “How many?”

“All of them.”

She looked as pale as I’d ever seen her. “How?”

“You mean how did I kill them?” I knew my voice echoed my surprise that she wanted details.

“Yes. You were alone. I don’t understand.”

“I’m an alpha.” I held her gaze, seeing the horror in her eyes. “Cristone Pack had a pack leader, not an alpha.”

“You compelled them?” she asked with understanding. “You made them…what? What did you do?”

“I told them to stay where they were. Using my Will, I kept them there. I used my Will to make sure they would not move, and then I slit their throats. One…by…one.”

“Caleb.” She was on her feet, like the gruesomeness of what I told her was too much to take sitting down. “That’s…that’s…”

I knew this was coming. I knew her revulsion at my actions would come. I hardened myself against her disgust. “That’s who I am,” I told her, my lip curling into a sneer. “They took my family, my pack, so I took theirs.”

“That issomuch more than an eye for an eye,” she said with despair. “How could you? How much hate was in you that you could do that?”

I laughed. I full-out laughed at her. My head tilted back,and my laughter sounded as jaded and bitter as I felt. “How much hate was in me?” I asked as she watched me with wide eyes, confusion written all over her face. “You speak as if the hateleft. It didn’t, I carry it with me every day.”

“Well,that’shealthy,” she snapped, her hands on her hips. “No wonder you’re all messed up. Mass murder tends to do that to a person!”

We stared at each other across the small space. Her anger was evident, but it was insignificant to my own. The only difference was that Willow was mad atme; I wasn’t angry at her.

I knew she’d be like this. It was understandable. She didn’t understand. I doubted anyone would ever understand.

“Did you get them all?” she asked suddenly. “The pack? Jonah?”

Why would she ask that? “Why?”

“Because if there are survivors, or people holding a grudge, they could be, you know…after you.”

Wait…she was concerned? Seriously? “You’reworriedabout me?”

“OfcourseI’m worried about you!” She stamped her foot against the ground, and I fought the urge to laugh at how adorable she looked. “You can’t kill all those people and expect there not to be consequences! Their families, their loved ones,someoneis going to come after you!”

Her purity and overallgoodnesscontinued to amaze me. “I don’t have that problem,” I told her gruffly.

Willow rolled her eyes, her hands thrown up in frustration. “How can you even know that?”

“Apart from the fact that it’s been ten years?” I askedflatly.

“Ten years is nothing. Have you never readThe Count of Monte Cristo?”

“No. I haven’t.”