Both took off without argument, and Loren once again got the sense that this was primarily for her benefit. He was speaking in terms she would understand.
“As for Loren. You’ll come with me.”
He didn’t explain his plan for her, and she couldn’t suppress a shiver of apprehension as she followed him up to the hill that overlooked the property. This far out, she was grateful for his jacket as a barrier against the cold.
Not that the chill seemed to bother him. He stood tall, easily picking his way through the underbrush. Once they neared the crest of the hill, he stopped.
“I know you’re frustrated.”
His words seemed to penetrate beyond the surface tension, cutting to the irritation she could feel swirling within her.
“Loren, what happened the other day was my fault—”
“You keep saying that.” She didn’t know where the impulse to argue came from. She couldn’t control the anger. The rage. It felt irrational, centering on the way he kept his gaze averted as if he were afraid to face her while isolated from the others.
“Loren, I need you to listen to me.” His stern tone cut through her aggravation like a knife. She could think clearly for a split second and sense the sincerity in his voice.Listen. Whatever he intended to say, it was important to him.
“It’s time I gave you a crash course on everything lycan. We won’t have long, so we can start with the basics—pack structure. Every pack, big and small, consists of an Alpha at the head. Then a subordinate, usually called a beta, and finally several other members to fill the ranks. A lot of it is formal bullshit, rooted in tradition. In essence, you only need three to constitute a pack.”
“Is that what you have now? You, Micha, and Naomi?”
He exhaled, not seeming to like that characterization. “Technically, yes.”
“But then, what does that make me?”
He turned to face her, and the expression in his gaze smothered what little resentment she still felt. He looked so…torn. Conflicted.
“Whatever we are, you count as one of us.”
But there was a reason why that was. A big one. Something he wasn’t saying.
“What happens to me when you leave?” her voice caught at the prospect.
“That’s up to you,” he said evasively. “For now, I want you to only focus on what I tell you. These next few days will be hard. I’ll have to push you to your limits. It’s vital we get you to shift as soon as possible.”
“Okay,” she said, nodding. “I’m ready.”
He didn’t look convinced. In fact, Loren wondered if that were why he’d brought her out here alone. To warn her. From here on out, things would change. That talk about the pack wasn’t mere information. It was a warning. In their unspoken hierarchy, she was at the bottom. No longer was he solely her protector but the Alpha of this ragtag pack. His job was to enforce order. Ensure survival.
By any means necessary.
“I want you to know that my main goal—my only goal from the start—has been to help you.” He turned, catching her wrist before she could react.
Her heart lurched as she watched his larger fingers manipulate hers until they rested against his calloused palm.
“If you are to reach your full potential, then I need you to trust me. Without question. Can you do that?”
She didn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
“Good.” He released her and took a step back. In that instant, something in his expression changed. His eyes? They were too bright. Molten silver.
“Then run.”
11
“You’re dead.” The cheerfully voiced statement came from Micha, who stood over her, his lips parted into a dazzling smile. “Try again?”
Loren groaned at the prospect. “Trying” seemed to be the only word capable of describing what exactly she’d spent most of the day doing. Trying to be patient. Obey. Learn. Put up with whatever McGoven threw her way without argument.