Taze (Rise of the Pride #11) - Theresa Hissong Page 0,21

being held captive during the time she should’ve been in school, hanging out with her friends on the weekends.

“You know he keeps to his policy of confidentiality unless he believes a pride member is in danger.” Talon stood up and walked around his desk. Seeing the tears well up in her eyes, he didn’t want to be on the other side of that desk in the alpha position. Instead, he took the other guest seat and turned it around so he was facing the female. “Is there something you haven’t told me about your time with the wolves?”

“I know I have been having anxiety lately,” she blurted, skipping over his question. “I’ve been asked so many times about coming back to the training program that I’m sick of it, alpha.”

“Is it your brother?” he pressed, frowning when she covered her face with her hands. She was barely keeping it together, and he could feel her frustration and anger as if it were his own.

“It’s a lot of things,” she sighed. “Can we just get over the fact that I have made my decision to study for my law degree?”

“You can do whatever you want, Calla,” Talon said, clearing his throat. “You have your entire life ahead of you, and you can make your own path. Don’t let others decide for you. If you do that, you will be miserable. As your alpha, I want you to find things that make you happy. I want you to grow and thrive here. As your friend, I hate seeing you going through so much, and the trauma you experienced as a teenager has lingered for long enough. You are a strong female, and its time you take back the reins of your life. Quit living for what everyone wants for you. Live for yourself.”

“I’m trying.” She paused to look into his eyes. “I’m really trying.”

“Don’t fight your nature, Calla,” he tacked on. “You can find balance between your work and your life outside of that law office. I’m not going to sugar coat things with you, and you know that.”

“You never have,” she chuckled, and he smiled down at her when she relaxed without his command.

“If you find love with Taze, he will support you,” Talon added.

“He irritates me to no end,” she growled.

“I know you feel torn between your brother and Taze, but you have to remember something.” He sighed and knelt down to take her hands into his. It wasn’t very often an alpha would come to an even level with one of his pride, and Calla’s shock reflected it. “In the end, when your life is over, it’s you who will go. Not them. You. Do you want to be on your funeral pyre with regrets? You can’t take a lot of things with you, but you can take your memories and the love of the people around you.”

“You’re right,” she agreed and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “I have a lot of decisions to make.”

“Yes, you do,” he replied and stood. “I have one more thing I need to ask you.”

“What’s that?” She looked confused, and Talon could see the questions in her eyes.

“Is what I’ve asked of you, to help track Holden Manzelli, too much for you?”

“Gods, no,” she gasped, placing a hand on her chest. He felt her determination through their magical link. “I actually enjoy tracking. Plus, I want to find him so this can be over. The Guardians and Protectors are in enough danger out there on the streets. I want this stopped as much as everyone else, and if I can get the information you need, then I’m going to do everything in my power to help my pride.”

“Thank you for that.” He smiled and returned to the chair behind his desk. “If it becomes too dangerous or you feel like it’s too much, you must tell me.” His words were a command, and Talon saw her eyes flash amber sparks when she felt the magic behind his words.

“I promise to come to you should I have any issues,” she promised.

“Okay, you may go,” he offered. “Take care of yourself, Calla, and I hope you find your true happiness. Remember what I said.”

With a nod, she left his office, and Talon covered his face with his hands. The amount of pain and suffering that female was going through seeped into him through their magic, and he found himself wiping away a tear as he wondered what she wasn’t telling him.

Chapter Six

Calla fired up