Wolf's Call (Wolves Next Door #2) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,203

unable to hold it up any longer. "When you say it, that sounds like something impressive."

"You outran the alpha," he reminded me. "You pushed us harder than I can remember a pack running before. You didn't just shift into your new body, you claimed it, and I can't wait to help you learn how to master it. You, Elena, are an amazing wolf, but an even better woman. I have no idea why you don't think you're strong."

"Because I've never been allowed to be?" I guessed.

"You are now," he promised. "I don't care if you yell at me, bite the shit out of me, or anything else. I want you to challenge me if you think you must. I'm not going to leave you over something like that. I have no interest in cheating on you, just so you know, and I'm not going anywhere. If you want to get rid of me, you'll have to chase Lane away first. We are your mates, and I have every intention of making that forever - so be strong. Be as strong as you want, and you don't need anyone's permission but your own."

I just let my eyes close and smiled. All this time, I'd been so worried about everything. I'd been so convinced I was weak when the reality was that I'd simply been scared, but listening to Ian? I could do this. I was doing this.

"I can be strong," I mumbled against his neck.

"No, you already are," he told me. "Maybe you aren't a bitch, and you definitely aren't mean, but neither of those makes you strong. Strong is when you'll give of yourself to help someone else. It's when you know your own boundaries and aren't afraid to enforce them - like waiting to turn until your daughter is protected. It's speaking up when someone needs to hear it. So many people think that being strong is the same as being an asshole, but it isn't. There's a huge difference between being a tyrant and a leader. You, Elena, give people something to follow. A reason to believe in themselves and try harder. If that's not strong, then I have no idea what is."

"Being brave enough to say that I love you," I told him.

"Well, since you've done that, then I guess it proves my point," he teased.

All I could do was smile because he was right. I was strong. I could finally believe that, even if I was being held in his arms and carried to his truck. I'd still done everything I wanted. I'd made this happen. I was a part of something bigger now, and the kind of part I could be proud of because even if something else knocked me back down, I finally knew how to handle it.

I'd get right back up and growl.

EPILOGUE

I barely remembered getting back home, which meant I'd napped in the truck those few blocks. Once we were there, Lane carried me in, but it was Trent who helped me take a shower and get the leaves and debris from my body. Seth and Pax changed the bed while Ian warmed up some of that broth soup.

Before I knew it, I was fed two full cups, and I'd sucked back three bottles of water. Then, the guys all tucked me into bed, each one giving me a kiss before sneaking out of the room, and Ian ordered me to sleep. While I could feel the desire to do as he asked, that was pretty much it. I wanted to make him happy, but was that really any different from normal? Maybe a bit.

Yet I'd seen other wolves when he used that tone. Even Ian's betas seemed to feel the compulsion to please more than I did, almost like a soldier being given orders. To obey had probably been drilled into them since they were pups, though. Not that it mattered. He was right, and I was honestly exhausted, so I slept.

It didn't last long. I woke to voices sounding like they were right beside the bed. I recognized Ian's voice easily. Then Lane's. Trent, Pax, and Seth joined in, but they didn't seem to have as much to say. At first, the sounds were just jumbled syllables, but they were too loud. Too intense to not be in the room with me, so I cracked open my eyes.

The door was closed and I was still alone, but now I was also truly awake. That allowed the sounds to become words.

"I