The Gift chronicles novel Chapter 1

Book 1 Chapter 27

When we got into the car, I tried scooting off of the Blood Alpha's lap, but his grip was firm and he growled harshly. He didn't seem quite too pleased about my escape.

One of his pack members was waiting in the car the whole time, and I felt bad that Alpha Cain hadn't invited him in, although I had a feeling the pack member would have been highly uncomfortable. Cain's willingness to go into another pack's territory with no backup just proved how much he trusted Thane.

Alpha Cain didn't say anything for the first thirty minutes of the trip, and I felt uneasy because of it.

Your and Thane's name are very similar. I mindlinked him, just wanting to ease the awkwardness.

He smiled at my statement and got a faraway look in his eyes as his grip on me loosened. "His mother and mine were sisters. Twins, to be exact. My mother had me 3 years before Thane was born. When she was pregnant, she had a hard time coming up with names. She asked her sister for help, and she told her that she liked the name Cain. The problem was, my mother liked the name so much she wanted it for me, but her sister also wanted to name her firstborn it. So, my mother suggested Thane for her when she had her first pup. I think they liked how similar the names were, thinking it would bond us similarly to how their twinness bonded them."

If you're three years older than Thane, that makes you really old.

He cocked an eyebrow. "Is that a question or a statement?"

How old are you? I rephrased.

"I turned 28 this past spring," He answered, searching my eyes to gauge a reaction.

I didn't mind the age difference. All things considered, his age was the least of my problems with him. I chose not to say anything, and kept my face stoic.

"Does that bother you, pup?" He smirked, lowering his face just centimeters from mine.

Does my age bother you, grandpa? I retorted sarcastically.

The Alpha shrugged. "Not particularly. It is better that I met you while you were still young. It will leave plenty of time to put many pups in you, and they will be healthier due to your youth."

I swallowed the lump in my throat, looking away from his eyes that swelled in hope for his future family. I didn't want to have kids, and that was 90% of my responsibility as a Luna. If I had been mates to a normal wolf, there would be no pressure to carry on their lineage.

You can still choose someone else to be your Luna you know.

He growled fiercely in response, and jerked my chin up so we were making eye contact. "If I wanted to take another she—wolf to bed and impregnate, I would have already. I had plenty to choose from."

I narrowed my eyes at him, not surprised by this knowledge. All she—wolves craved mates with power and dominance, it was in their instincts. Even I on some level relished in my mate's power and dominance. I just refused to submit to Alpha Cain because he had not proven to be a worthy Alpha to my wolf and I. He had been considerably easy on us, and I knew he would have been harsher if it were any other wolf. It made him look weak to go so easily on me. I didn't think he would step up and completely dominate me when it came down to it.

"Does that make you jealous, mate?" He leaned over and mumbled the words into my half—ear. I held still, forcing myself not to react.

I failed to keep my composure when he let his canines extend, and nipped me in the ear. I involuntarily shuttered as he ran his tongue over where his canines touched. He didn't draw blood from the bite.

"You like being bitten? My little demon," Cain whispered the words softly as he moved his mouth down to my neck.

I was acutely aware of the fact that his canines were hovering over where he Marked me.

His large hands, which were softly stroking my hair, suddenly tugged on a piece of my hair. I cried out in surprise at the sudden pain, even though it didn't really hurt too bad, it was more the shock of it.

"I like hearing you," Cain spoke the words so softly I strained to hear him even with my werewolf abilities. "One day you'll scream my name."

I gulped, rather loudly. I could feel him smirk against my neck, as I'm sure he was loving my physical reaction to him. As much as I wanted to blame it on the bond, there was a part of me that was incredibly attracted to this wild man.