spent the last six years fixing what I could. But the humans were becoming a big issue we couldn’t escape. When I heard there was a safe place for the pack to live under a new alpha, I knew I had to do the right thing and take them to him. I plan to leave them there and walk away.”
“Why?” I question, leaning forward.
“There can’t be two alphas in a pack, and my wolf has only known how to fight and defend itself. There is no way my wolf will submit to anyone,” he explains. “But I can’t keep my people safe in the world, so this is the only way. I guess I saw a bit of myself in you when you fell into the sea. Just someone who ran away because the world is fucking scary.”
“Do you think I should go back?”
“To a vampire who hurt you? To angels you can’t trust?” he says and shakes his head. “No, you shouldn’t go back, but you will because you have friends who need you. I fought my father, even when it broke my heart to do so, because my friends and family needed me. I always loved my dad…but I did the right thing. Sometimes the right thing is devastating.”
“I like you, Myles,” I say, standing up straight and offering him my hand. He slides his hand into mine and grins at me.
“Good thing you do. I like you too, Kaitlyn,” he replies, watching my eyes closely. “And anything you decide, you have my support.”
Holding his hand, I feel a connection between us that was never there before. Almost like my soul is happy, my body itches to move closer and my hand never wants to leave his hand. Before I utter any of the embarrassing things in my mind out loud, I let go of his hand. I walk around him to the door and pause with my hand on the handle. “You didn’t just save me from the sea, Myles, you saved me from myself. I don’t know if I could have been brave and gone back, but if you were brave enough to face your father, I know I can do this. Thank you.”
Myles doesn’t say anything, and I’m thankful as I pull the door open and walk back with him to the table. We sit down, and I watch Gabriel and Madi. I sense the same deception Myles picked up on, but it all comes from Gabriel and not Madi. I’m not sure if it’s deception, but something feels off.
Crossing my arms, I keep my head high as I give them the answer they need. “I am going back to the academy.”
“And I’m coming with you,” Myles adds, and I stare at him like he has truly lost his mind. “Secretly, of course. You should go through the main gates or doors, and I will sneak in. Be your secret guard in the shadows. Trust me. I can be invisible if I want.” He winks at me.
“Myles you’ve saved my life, and I can’t let you risk yours. I already owe you,” I say. “Plus, won’t your pack need you here?”
“We are nearly at the island, and as I see it, there is an alpha ready for them there. It would have been a fight between us on that island. My wolf doesn’t love competition,” Myles explains, standing up. “Be right back, I need to let everyone know and put my beta in charge until they get to the wolves. I wouldn’t leave unless I was sure they were safe, but it’s time. I could never have left this boat anyway, and now I have an option that fell from the sky.”
“Myles…” I say his name, but he is already out the door, not looking back.
“Don’t bother. Wolf shifters can be real stubborn about their females,” Madi says with a wave of her hand.
Gabriel only shakes his head. “Young love, how I do remember it fondly.”
As they talk between each other, my teeth ache, and I close my eyes as I hear their loud heartbeats like a song I want to dance to. I turn away and cover my face with my hands for a minute until the moment passes and I feel safe. Sooner or later, I will need to face the truth.
I’m not just an angel anymore.
Chapter 32
His fingers softly flicker down my bare back, caressing me with every brush of his fingertips against my skin, my body reacting with shakes of desire.