Page 8 of Her Wolf's Demands
“So that’s where Malone gets it from.”
A grin spread into Emiliah’s cheeks, her teeth perfectly white against her dark skin. “Exactly. He adored his grandmother, admired her.”
“Why did his father return to the patriarchal rule?” My gaze was drawn to the table in the marquee.
Food was piled on plates, almost overflowing. Wine bottles, beers, and jugs of Pimms were stacked on another table, calling my name.
The pack slowly became aware of my presence, their eyes flicking to me. Although they carried on with their celebration, they kept looking, the pull to check out the outsider too tempting.
“Malone’s father, Tom, was a sweet boy, apparently. His own father had a chip on his shoulder. You know, husband to a female alpha. He couldn’t handle being second in command. His toxic masculinity spilled onto Tom, literally. He’d throw his beer over his son before forcing him to clean up. As soon as the boy was in fresh clothes, he’d do it again.”
“Jeez, what a sicko,” I spat, my attention engrossed in the story, despite my stomach’s protest.
The generational dysfunction had come down the line, spreading to Malone, who was still a tortured soul. I got it, I really did.
My heart filled with sympathy for my alpha. “So Tom grew a thick skin and emulated his father instead of his mother?”
Inclining her head, Emiliah smiled gently. “Yes, exactly that. Malone is torn between his grandmother’s values and his father’s legacy. He’s found it hard to know who he is as a leader. I wonder if you could help him with that.”
“Me?” I squeaked. “I barely know who I am, let alone helping misery guts.”
Her snort of laughter made me smile. She probably wasn’t used to anyone calling Malone names or talking him down. Well, I wasn’t just anyone. I was the witch he’d turned. His mate. And I wouldn’t let his moods drown me.
“We’re a family,” Emiliah said, turning serious. “We look out for one another, always. An alpha leads the pack in order to keep the hierarchy healthy. It might seem like an ancient outdated way of life, but trust me, it brings more stability than todays society.”
A burst of longing dragged in my chest, alerting me to my secret desire. Drake and I had always been outsiders, shoved to the hypothetical line at the back of the coven, left in the dark. My father had abandoned us, not wanting to take responsibility, even though we lived with him.
I was a mother to Drake, taking care of his every need, trying to make him feel like he belonged.
That was the secret, the magic of the pack. “It’s like you belong somewhere.” The words were whispered, barely audible above the music.
Emiliah’s expression softened as she nodded, glancing around at her family. They might not all be from the same bloodline, but they were a close-knit community who clearly cared about one another.
“Go and get some food,” she advised when my stomach roared at her.
With a small wave, she left, joining Lionel and Manual, who had been watching us the whole time. Something she said made them avert their gazes, looking away from me for the first time since I’d been out of the cabin.
Straightening my spine, I went into the marquee and loaded up a plate, filling it with salads and a burger. I took two beers, managing to balance them both with my free hand.
“I’m not surprised you’re hungry,” Evie, the girl from the night before said, taking one of the beers from me.
Indicating that I should follow her, she led me to a bench outside. Goosebumps spread on my arms as she patted the table in front of her, waving me to sit. I had been expecting to eat alone, alienated from the pack. Her kindness gave me a reason to finally smile.
“Thanks for rescuing me. Twice!”
Her grin was infectious as several other wolves came to sit with us, joking with their friend as she told them a story about her first shift.
I gobbled the food as I listened, engrossed in the cosiness of their friendship. Not one person mentioned that she was transgender or that I was a witch. The inclusiveness of the younger generation sent a shiver through me. Would they accept Drake in the same way?
The guitar music slowed at the same time as the hair stood up on the back of my neck. Swallowing down the last gulp of my beer, I turned to look at the fire.
My insides quivered when my gaze met Malone’s over a guitar. He strummed it slowly, his jaw tight as the melody filtered to me, melting the anger that had simmered inside. Fuck, how could I not tear the man’s clothes off and jump him now? An alpha, a musician… What next? A fucking billionaire?
The people around me chattered away, unaware that my wolf spirit was calling to the alpha, begging him to stroke my hair and keep me safe. That’s all anyone wanted, wasn’t it? To be loved by someone who would have their back, always.
Flames sent an orange glow over Malone as he dipped his gaze to the sunburst acoustic and started another tune. If he started to sing in his deep gravelly voice, everyone would get a free porn show because I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands to myself.
Excusing myself, I smiled at Evie, who squeezed my hand as I got up from the table.