Heart of Vengeance (Alice Worth #6) - Lisa Edmonds Page 0,17

now.

“Given what you told me in your e-mail, we know about your past interactions with other packs,” Sean said, turning back to Jesse. Joshua relaxed minutely when no longer the focus of Sean’s attention. “You and Joshua have chosen to be on your own since leaving the Clear Lake Pack. Tell us why you think our pack might be a good home for you and your brother.”

Jesse’s eyes glowed amber. “We’re not here to beg to join your pack, Mr. Maclin. If that’s what you want me to do, we’ll leave right now.”

He was as angry as Joshua was meek. We didn’t deserve his anger, but I couldn’t blame him for it, given the abuse they’d suffered. My heart ached for both of them. I didn’t let Jesse see my sympathy. He wouldn’t want it. He wanted our acceptance, though he was too angry and proud to ask for it.

Sean studied him. “Obviously, I’m aware Joshua is on the autism spectrum, and as an omega wolf he has been the target of abuse from your original pack, other packs, and even lone wolves. I’m also aware of your reputation as a fierce fighter and a protector. You have a well-documented history of starting—and finishing—a hell of a lot of fights, especially when someone mistreats Joshua, or when you think they’re going to. I understand how hard your life has been.”

“Do you?” Jesse asked, his voice bitter.

Sean moved like lightning. In a blink, Jesse was flat on his back, staring up in shock as Sean pinned him on the ground with a fist in his shirt. The sudden violent act startled me, but Nan didn’t react.

“Yes, I do,” Sean snapped. “Just because I haven’t lived it doesn’t mean I can’t understand it. I’ve seen my share of suffering.”

I wondered if he was thinking about my memories of my life with my grandfather, which he’d seen when I got them back from the sorcerer Miraç. I hadn’t intended for Sean to see them, and really hadn’t wanted him to—not because I wanted to hide them, but because Sean had enough bad memories without having mine too. But it was over and done, and there was no undoing it.

Sean kept Jesse pinned on the ground as Joshua watched, fear in his eyes. “Let me make something clear. If we invite you to join our pack and you decide to accept, no one in my pack, least of all me, wants you to beg—for a place among us, or anything else. No one in my pack will abuse you or your brother, because that’s not the kind of people we are, and because I won’t tolerate it. No one in my pack will treat Joshua or you as anything but a brother. We will protect you both, and you will protect your pack mates. Before that happens, however, you will get that chip off your shoulder. We’ve lost two pack members recently who wouldn’t let go of their anger. If you know about our pack, you know that.”

“I know about that.” Jesse avoided Sean’s eyes. “Please let me up, so my brother doesn’t get scared.”

Sean released Jesse’s shirt. The younger man got to his feet and backed up several steps. “He didn’t hurt me,” he told Joshua, who’d shrunk back when Sean put his brother on the ground. “I was out of line, talking to an alpha like that.” His expression indicated he didn’t think he’d been entirely out of line, but he wanted to reassure Joshua, who looked ready to bolt.

“I’m not saying you shouldn’t be angry about what you and Joshua have been through,” Sean said as the brothers stood silently. “You have every right to be angry. I’m angry on your behalf. You’ve seen the worst of toxic pack culture, power dynamics, and abusive behavior. A lot of packs measure their worth based on brute strength and how they cull those they think are weak. Since the days of my predecessor, this pack has never been that way, and as long as I’m the alpha, it never will be.” He glanced at me, his eyes warm. “As Alice has said, mercy and love are not weaknesses.”

“At the end of the day, they are our greatest strengths,” I told them. “As you know already, you will never fight harder than to protect those you love.”

Jesse and Joshua exchanged a glance, having a conversation with their eyes as only siblings could. “That’s why we came here,” Jesse said finally. “Because we heard your