Dead?
“But I wasn’t dead.”
Colton nodded.
“Yeah. Apparently that was one giant lie. What’s shocking is that if they hadn't sold you off, they could have had a far stronger ally. Irony right?”
I was just nodding now because I had to process everything he was saying.
“It would have been better, wouldn’t it? To have told my father who I’d met? Then again, Black Creek could be scary. I doubt my father would have lied had he realized where Devon was from.”
Colton shifted and it seemed like he tried to move further away.
“Devon isn’t just from here Kiara, he’s our future alpha. The whole reason he isn’t yet named as alpha is because of you. Because he isn’t mated. He held off for years.”
Colton’s hand traced up and down my back, but it wasn’t creepy or uncomfortable. Was this what friends did? Comforted each other?
It felt like what I imagined family might have been like. The fight or flight mode should be kicking, and maybe it was but in a different way. I was waiting for the next shoe to drop. Always. But another hunger was being met while I sat in wait over chaos to erupt. Devon might have been a dream, but Colton was here and it felt real. I’d yearned to be wanted for so many years. I’d been a little girl lost in a masquerade of hate and politics and all I’d ever wanted was to be loved and wanted.
Everything here should have triggered me, but instead it was like I was so starved for affection I found comfort in this small olive branch.
I turned to glare. “Do you usually go around touching girls? What are you trying to do? Gain my trust for what?”
A slow smile spread over his lips.
“Nah. Just the pretty ones who are shivering. Your trust would be nice though. Maybe you should go take a warm shower and I’ll be back to pick you up later tonight?”
The kindness in his eyes and his words filled me with a lightheartedness and my wolf? No reaction at all. She was probably still tired.
“Alpha?”
Colton nodded.
“He told me not to go, and as alpha shouldn’t we listen?”
Colton stood and towered over me. He didn’t look this big outside, but in a small room?
“I take what Devon said as more of a suggestion. Come with me tonight. It will be fun,” he said.
My wolf and I really needed to have a chat. Why couldn’t she be responding to this guy? Then the thought of Devon came to mind and the memory of his touch. Damn it. I wanted Devon.
I sniffed the air and found it to be pleasant just in case I was wrong. There was nothing there. Not like with Devon.
“What would I go as?” I asked.
He chuckled.
“As friends Kiara. I think he could use your support, maybe? And me? Well, it will be easier to watch you if you’re with me.”
He reached for my hand bringing it closer to his lips.
“Although, if I’m wrong and you should ever find yourself in need of more I can be that too. Still, I hope we all find our fated mates truly. I will come for you before the party. Sarah will most likely come by sooner. Go warm up in the shower and if you need anything there is food in the kitchen. Help yourself. No one is on kitchen duty tonight because of the party.”
His warm lips kissed the back of my hand and I waited for shivers. Nothing. Damnit. This guy was sweet and kind and could probably take care of me and yet nothing.
It was okay. Or was it? I wanted to be a part of something and when that dream was crushed over and over I’d made the stupid idea to just hide when I got free. But here? It was a taste of what I could have had if Devon would have come for me. No, if my father wouldn’t have lied. A small fleeting thought was what if Devon was lying, but then why would he? There was nothing for him to gain with me. Nothing. I brought nothing to the table except for alpha blood running through my veins.
Small-insignificant-rejected- from-my-pack blood.