Page 66 of The Alpha's Mates

"Don't touchanything," I demanded. I shouldn’t have to explain this to them. "This place is evil and we don't know what will happen."

"I think we should take a break," Soren suggested.

"It's a trap," I insisted, vehemently shaking my head.

He stopped in front of me, giving me a piercing look. "We need to rest or we're going to run ourselves into the ground trying to get out of here."

"I vote running into the ground," I replied, putting my hands on my hips. "Especially if it means getting out of this hell hole."

His lips twitched at my words. “You've been through worse than this, Reese," he pointed out.

I scowled at him, not appreciating being reminded of that.

"Besides, that's not the way it works," Calder said. "We're only getting out of here when the woods let us out. May as well rest." He sat down on a log. It was gnarled and twisted, but itdidn't move or try to eat him, so I supposed I could allow him to sit there.

The protective feelings I was having for these men were so new to me. That didn’t seem to matter, though. They were already ingrained deep within me, twisted up into everything that made me who I was.

Soren sat beside him and Atlas joined them. They were right. My legs were fatigued. We'd been running since we left Jessu’s village and had only gotten a few hours of sleep last night. I still opted to sit in the dirt rather than chance that log turning into some sort of monster at my touch.

"Tell us about your childhood," Soren suggested. "How did you learn so much about the Gods? Most shifters don't know much about them anymore."

I rolled my eyes at his obvious ploy to distract me, but gave him what he wanted because it would help keep my mind off the screams and groans around me. They started up again the minute we sat down. "My mom taught me. I don't know where she learned, but she had so much knowledge. She taught me to love our Goddess. To respect the rest of the Gods. And to fear them as appropriate."

"Vera did the same for us," Atlas said with a grin. "She was a bit heavier on the fear thy Gods bit than your mom, though, I'm betting."

I laughed at that. "Yeah, I could see that. But that was probably to keep you unruly boys in line."

Calder snorted. "That's putting it mildly."

Soren nodded his agreement. "So you were raised by just your mom? How active was Haron with you?"

I winced and looked down at the ground. "I did everything I could to stay out of his way," I admitted. "Even before I presented as an alpha."

"Sorry," Soren said, voice softer than usual.

I knew they could feel my turmoil through our link. It wasn't something I liked to dwell on. My father had never been kind or loving toward me. He'd been cold and distant, but when I'd presented as an alpha... he'd become downright cruel. He'd tried to kill me in my sleep more than once. His hatred of females had been ingrained in him from birth. He didn't want a daughter to begin with, let alone one who was a female alpha. He'd made sure to let me know that every day of my life.

My mother had been my only shining light. Had saved my life so many times. Until the night she couldn't win against him anymore.

"He killed her."

All three of their heads snapped up at my admission. Soren's eyes were like granite. Hard and cold. But he didn't say anything. Just waited for me to explain.

I hadn't planned to tell them that. No one knew. Not even Emma. I'd never told anyone my shame. My guilt. "I left her there. And he killed her." Tears welled in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I was stronger than this. I had been for a long time now.

A huge hand cupped my cheek, turning me to face him. Soren squatted there in front of me. I hadn't even heard him move off the log. "Hekilled her. Not you."

"I left her," I cried out. "Ran away."

"Like she told you to," he guessed. "So she could protect you. So you could live." He sat down, gathering me close.

I sniffed as I pressed my cheek to his chest. These males melted me. I was a strong alpha. And they melted me. I couldn't hold out against their kindness toward me. Was it because I'd yearned for this kind of treatment? For someone to love me? My mother had, but growing up thinking I'd never have mates had broken something inside of me. Now that I did have them, I couldn't seem to keep from showing my vulnerable side to them.As much as I wanted to feel badly about that, I couldn't. They weren't judging me. They didn't think I was weak, or pitiful. They just wanted to comfort me. To love me. And I wanted to let them.

"It was my name day," I told them. Soren's hand was cupped around my head, holding me close to his heart. I wasn't going anywhere. It was time to get this off my chest. To let the burden go.

CHAPTER 29

Reese