Wolf's Pack (Wolves Next Door #3) - Auryn Hadley Page 0,110

asked, leaning into my hand. "Ian, I love you. More than that, Gabby loves you. You're like the father she always wanted, and you come with the guys. We aren't with you because you are the Pack Alpha. I didn't even know about wolves when we met."

"I know," I assured her. "I never thought you were with me because of rank."

"No," she groaned, stepping back. "Ian, listen to me. Damon sent his pack here for something. One of them died because she was going to kill Samantha, and Sampson killed her first. Died, Ian. Ashley said that Damon's the kind of wolf who won't accept your submission. What I want to know is what you plan to do in the unlikely event that you don't win?"

"I have to," I said.

Her eyes darted away and she pulled in a slow, measured breath. "I want you to promise me you'll run, ok? If you're losing, if you know you can't win, I want you to run before you submit."

"We'll lose our homes," I hissed.

"I don't care about our homes!" she shot back. "I care about you, Ian. And if you go, then your betas will follow, and we'll be right there with you. Gabby and I don't love you because you're the Alpha, or because you have money, or even because we live here! We love you because you're a good man, and you can't fight back if you're dead." She paused to swallow, then her eyes found me again. "Please? I know it's a lot to ask from you, but please, Ian? Promise me that if Damon does challenge you, and by some chance you can't defeat him, that you will run - so I can follow."

I stared at the beautiful tawny color of her eyes, watching the moisture well up in them, and I did the only thing a man could do in my position. I nodded.

"I swear, Elena. I would rather be a poor, broke wolf and have you than leave you at his mercy. I'll run, but only if I can't win, and I need you to trust me on that."

"I do," she promised, just as a car came speeding down the road, going much faster than the posted limit.

Without thinking, I moved to stand before her, turning to see what was going on - and then breathed a sigh of relief. I knew that car. I also knew the punk teenager behind the wheel.

"Roman," I bellowed as he pulled up in front of the curb. "What if a pup had been in the road? Drive slower!"

He ignored me, rushing out of the car to walk straight up to me. The boy's eyes were on the ground, refusing to look any higher than my feet. Even worse, he didn't even try to glance at Elena.

"Alphas," he breathed, "I think we have a problem." He paused to lick his lips. "Theo has a headache. A bad one, and he can't shake it. Says he has a cold."

"Does he?" Elena asked.

Roman just pushed his hand across his mouth and shifted his feet like he wanted nothing more than to run. "Um, when Hidden Forest attacked? Uh..." His eyes jumped up, seeking her instead of me. "He and Nik were alone. We knew they were alone. They went off specifically to be alone. The problem is that Theo said something about trying to pull on his pants with wolves charging him, and now he has a headache."

"Fuck!" I snarled.

CHAPTER 34

* * *

"What did they do?" I demanded, stepping around Ian to see the boy. "You all know better than to expose a human."

"We never talked about it with him," Roman said. "Nikolai, I mean. He's a natural-born. We thought he knew, but now I'm not so sure. And, um..." His face was turning very red, very quickly. "I mean, I know that's why we have to use condoms, but maybe it broke? Look, I didn't ask what they were doing. I didn't even think about the pants comment until Theo started saying he's got a headache. Olivia said I can't tell her mom, so..." His eyes finally moved to Ian. "I came to you, Alpha."

"That's the right thing," Ian assured him. "I need you to talk to Nik, ok?"

"Ian," Roman said. "Sir, I can't... I mean, what do I ask?"

"Wait," I begged. "If Theo's just sick, that's one thing. It's basically spring, Ian. He could actually have allergies." Then I looked at Roman. "Go get Gabby and call her out here."

He