Filed to story: Cara Nelson The Guardian: Werewolf Book PDF Free
When we reach the pack lands, the difference in this pack and my pack with Eli is apparent. But, I can also see the difference in this pack and my father’s pack. Where my father needed to be the most intimidating wolf in the pack, Rik seems to lead with love and patience. Pack members of all ages run up to him, surrounding us and walking with us back to the packhouse. There is no fear or intimidation as they ask him and Cara questions and are asked questions in return. Both Cara and Rik seem to know every pack member by name and know their lives enough to ask them questions as we walk.
Eli and I are introduced and when it becomes overwhelming, Rik and Cara tell them that we’ll be introduced at dinner tonight. When we arrive at the packhouse, a young woman who looks to be as pregnant as Cara is standing at the back door of the packhouse.
“Welcome to Canyon Ridge.” She says, smiling at me and Eli. She steps back. motioning for us to enter. “I’m Lacey, the pack’s Beta female. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you your room and you can get settled. We have lunch scheduled in an hour on the patio. Does that give you enough time to get settled and shower if you’d like?” She asks as she guides us through the packhouse and up the stairs.
“That will be great.” I tell her.” Thank you.”
She shows us to our room and when she leaves, Eli sets me down and I look around. “Will our packhouse look like this one day?” I ask him.
He comes up behind me and wraps his arms around me. “Our packhouse will look whatever way you want it to, baby. It will just take some time.”
I turn around, my arms snaking around his neck. “You are a good man, Eli Gunnar.” I say, meaning it from deep within my heart.
He leans his head down against mine. “I haven’t always felt that way, but when you say it, I believe it. And I want to make sure that you always feel that way about me.”
I step out of his embrace, taking his hand. “Come on, let’s get showered and changed so we can eat. I’m starved.”
When we’ve freshened up, we head downstairs to find Rik and Cara. Cara is already seated at the table, Rik hovering near her. She pats the seat next to her, wanting me to sit beside her.
“I can’t tell you how much it means to me that you are here. Losing dad was… She stops, her voice breaking. Rik is right there, his hands on her shoulders.
“Little Guardian, if it’s too much for you….”
She cuts him off, taking his hand. “No, it’s good to know that some part of them survived. It’s just still painful for me. Angel has been amazing and having her and Alessia has helped. And, of course, Rik has been amazing.” She says gazing up at him with love in her eyes. “But now that you’re here, it’s like our family is back together.”
She smiles through her tears, and I can see that Rik wants nothing more than to whisk his mate away and comfort her, but he doesn’t. Maybe she needs this just as much as she needs his comfort. “You’ll have to excuse me. Pregnancy hormones.” She says, laughing through her tears.
“I’m here to tell you, they’re real and they’re awful.” Angel says, walking in. She leans down, hugging Cara, then me before taking the seat across from me. Rik sits on Cara’s other side and Eli and Liam sit in between me and Angel.
We are able to order our lunch from several different options. I look at Eli. “I definitely want to be able to do this in our packhouse.” I mind link him.
“Agreed.” He says, deciding what he wants to eat.
After we’ve placed our order, Cara looks at me. “I don’t want to overwhelm you, but Angel and I already know everything about each other. You should have those memories now, and know that, while my life has been fairly simple, Angel’s was difficult.”
I nod, realizing that I do have memories of both their histories.
“We’d like to hear about you and how you came to have Donovan’s Guardian spirit.”
I look at Eli and then at everyone at the table. I wasn’t sure I was ready to discuss what had happened to me, but I feel a strange familial bond with Angel and Cara and therefore, Liam and Rik as well. The environment here feels safe, caring and supportive.
Eli reaches out to grasp my hand. “You don’t need to do anything you’re not comfortable with Grace.”
Our food arrives and I decide that I might as well tell them. Based on my memories, Angel’s life has been worse than mine. “My story isn’t a happy one, so maybe we should wait until after we eat.” I suggest.
We all agree, and lunch is a festive event. It’s relaxing and it’s interesting to see pack members, specifically omegas, interacting with their Alpha and Luna without fear. In our pack, it’s so different, but Eli and I will change that.
I turn and see him watching the same interactions I have been. He looks at met and I know that we’re in total agreement. Our pack will one day look and feel like this one.
After lunch, we sit back and relax, letting our food digest. Cara looks at me. Whenever you’re ready, we want to hear your story.” She tells me, reaching out. and taking my hand.
So, I start from the time I was 10 years old and go through my life, watching my
? +15 BONOS mother slowly deteriorate and eventually holding her while she died. I talk about my time alone until I met Eli and then our time on the run. I’ve been lost in my story, not looking at their reactions, but when I finish, I look up and see that both Angel and Cara have been pulled into their mates’ laps and are crying.
“I’m sorry.” I say, worried that I have upset them unnecessarily.
“No, no.” Both Angel and Cara say. “Pregnancy hormones.” They say in unison, then look at each other and laugh. I can’t help but laugh, too.
“Who’s your father?” Liam asks me.
“Edgar Winters.” I say, guessing they know him. Alphas have meetings and gatherings throughout the year. I know, I used to attend them with my father.
I watch as Liam looks at Rik.
“What?”
“When did you say your mother died?” Rik asks me.
“A little over two years ago.” I say.
I watch as they look at each other again.
“What is it?” Eli asks this time.
“You were right, Grace. Your father took a new mate just over two years ago and they have a son, nearly two years old.”
I knew it. I knew that’s what happened to my mother.
But having it confirmed still feels like I just received a swift kick to the stomach
I didn’t like Alpha Edgar before, but I definitely dislike him
I can feel the impact that Liam and Rik’s news has on Grace. It’s one thing to assume and another to find out you were correct. I pull her face to me, leaning into her. “Are you okay, baby?”
She just nods, a single tear sliding down her cheek. My sweet mate has had so much thrown at her in such a short period of time. Sometimes I forget that she’s still so young. She’s a strong and fierce woman, but there are moments, like right now, that she’s fragile.
I look up at the others at the table. “I’m going to take my mate to rest for a bit. Thank you for lunch. We look forward to spending more time with you and getting to learn more about Maia’s Guardian spirit, but right now, Grace needs. some time.” I say, before standing up, picking up my mate, much to her surprise and walking us to our room.
“You didn’t have to do that.” She says quietly, her head resting against my shoulder.
“Yes, I did. The actual job description for ‘mate’ is to take care of the one that is given to you by the Moon Goddess. I could feel how much their confirmation of what your father did hurt you. We can take some time. We’re here all weekend. Let me hold you.” I say as we get to our room.
