Month: September 2023

**Episode 3 comin’ atcha! I know it’s been a minute, again. Stuff, life…you know how it be. Sometimes I get in my own way. But here we are, with the wolves again, and our sweet Elliott who is trying to heal. And the big, strong Alpha who will help him. Enjoy!**

The weird thing was, I found myself seeking out Killian’s company. At first, I ignored it completely. Because of course I couldn’t just hang out with the alpha whenever I wanted to. He was important and necessary. I was coming to actually trust that he had the well being of his pack at the forefront of everything he did—because after a month of seeing it constantly, there was no way to deny it—that didn’t mean I could just follow him around like a puppy.

Weirder still was that, not only did he come find me regularly throughout the day, but he never seemed to mind when we just spent time together. He talked sometimes, and I jotted answers or made gestures. Other times we just existed in the same space.

I liked it. I liked it a lot. I liked the whole pack, in fact, and was beginning to truly feel comfortable. There was a part of me that sill feared the other shoe would drop, and they would reveal their true natures—or worse, kick me out to fend for myself—I was settling and learning to trust.

Sort of.

Wolf shifters were pack animals, and we did best as a group. My human brain had been conditioned long ago not to trust, to fear instead. But my wolf side knew better. At least as far as Killian was concerned. My wolf trusted him in a way it had never trusted before. Those instincts had done everything to keep me safe before, and now they were telling me to accept that what I saw and heard and felt here was true.

It was a work in progress still, but I felt better than I had in probably my whole life. I wasn’t any kind of risk taker, but with Everly’s words from the day before in my head, I went looking for Killian.

“It’s okay to want to be near him,” Everly had said, her eyes kind and her voice soft. “If you’re driven to be at his side, trust that. There’s a reason for it. And I promise you, on Mother Moon, it’s okay.”

It still had taken me more than a day and a whole lot of nerve to do it. And even though I was looking for the alpha, I was walking slowly, cautiously, hoping to come across him without having to actively track him down. Somehow I thought that was better.

Eventually, I caught his scent when the wind shifted and my feet headed in that direction without conscious direction from my brain. Around the back of the pack house, down a path, until I found him sitting by himself. He was stretched out on the ground, his back against one of the log benches someone had placed there long ago, his attention on the pond before him. I stopped a good twenty feet away, as soon as I caught sight of him, suddenly unable to make myself get closer. I had no doubt he knew I was there, though.

“You all right?” He asked eventually, turning just his head to look at me.

“Yeah,” I said, so softly he wouldn’t have been able to hear if he was just human.

He went still. I realized I’d actually spoken, for the first time in far too long, and froze too. A heartbeat passed. Then another.

“Well, come on over,” Killian said, trying his best to act like it wasn’t a big deal. I appreciated that more than I could say. I hadn’t been able to make my voice work in so long, there’d been a part of me that thought it was gone for good.

Once again I moved without thought, until I was suddenly right beside him. He patted the ground next to him and I lowered myself, crossing my legs and tucking my hands in my lap. I couldn’t look at him, but that didn’t seem to faze him. I could feel his gaze on me though.

“It seems like you’re finally settling in,” Killian stated quietly. His voice was a soothing rumble. I’d always noticed that. Other than a few times when he’d raised his voice, he always spoke like that. I wasn’t sure if it was for my benefit or that’s how he always was. Either way, I liked it.

I nodded, then took a breath. But when I couldn’t speak, it wasn’t because my voice was gone again. Instead, I had no idea what to say. Killian reached out a hand, offering it to me without any kind of demand. It took me a minute. Maybe two. Then I slid my hand into his.

Killian let out a pleased little rumble and squeezed gently.  “Elliott, we need to talk about your former pack.”

I liked that he considered me one of his now, that the pack I’d grown up in was the before, my past, and that this pack was my future. But then his words really sank in and fear spiked. I turned wide eyes to him and tried to pull away, but Killian held firm. Strangely, it didn’t feel constrictive, only comforting.

“I haven’t pushed,” he said, almost conversationally, his attention back on the water. “It was more important to get you safe and healthy. But the abuse you suffered—” Killian choked off the words and took a slow, calming breath. That I knew was for my benefit and I appreciated it more than I could express. “They need to be stopped.”

“They’ll hunt you,” I whispered, the words scratching my throat as I forced them out.

“Probably.”

“He’s…a very bad man.” It was inadequate, but it was all I could say. I certainly couldn’t utter my old alpha’s name. Just the thought of it made my insides quake.

“I know.” Killian turned his head and offered me a smile that warmed me. “I won’t be alone and I’ll go through proper channels so justice is served.”

I didn’t believe it. I wasn’t the first one that had gotten free over the years, and nothing had ever happened to change things. I used to think that was because the pack managed to hunt down and kill whoever had escaped. But I’d made it. Surely someone else had too.

“I promise you, no matte what, you will be safe. I won’t ever let anyone hurt you again.” Killian tugged gently and I listed sideways. When he tucked me under his arm, I went willingly. The alpha’s embrace was soothing and protective, warm and comforting, and I trusted my instincts and cuddled in.

Killian dropped a kiss on my head. “I swear, Elliott.”

And the conviction was so strong in his voice, I believed him.