Page 50 of Alpha's Claim
“Yes, the tragedy is you two could’ve worked it out long ago, but you were running from yourself. And you made that self out to be Teddy.”
I stare at Paloma, my heart thundering unnaturally in my chest. If anyone else had said it, I would’ve ignored them. Walked away, like I always do. Suppressed any feelings that caused me pain, just as I suppress my bear.
But it’s Paloma. Mymate. The female who already holds my heart. The female I want to give everything to.
“I don’t know if I was running from myself. But definitely from my past. I wanted to go somewhere my bear couldn’t hurt anyone. Away from this mountain where I could barely control him.”
“It sounds like you’re afraid of your bear. Maybe you got that from your mother.”
“It’s no wonder my mom was afraid–my bearhurtmy mom. And she’s a shifter, so she healed, but if he did something like that to you–”
“I mean she was afraid of her own bear.”
I swallow the torrent of damning words that were about to flow out of my mouth about my bear and the damage he’s done.
I blink.
It never occurred to me that my mom was afraid ofher ownbear.
And I sure as fuck don’t want to be like my mom.
But…fuck. I did the same exact thing she did! I abandoned my family because they were too bear-like for me to handle.
Right now, I wish Teddy were here beating the shit out of me. It would feel so much better than the deep shame that’s burying me alive.
“Fuck, you’re right,” I mutter, rubbing my forehead.
“Come on.” Paloma climbs off the bed and tugs my hand. “Let’s get you cleaned up–you still have the forest on you, and I could use a shower myself.”
I follow her to the bathroom and turn on the shower, and I then treat Paloma to a slow, sudsy round two.
Chapter Ten
Paloma
The shower is amazing, in more ways than one, but even better is the sense that Darius and I have connected on a new, deeper level.
He’s more than the insanely hot Viking warrior. More, even, than a man who can change at will into a bear.
He’s human. Or at least, my definition of human–a man with a heart that hurts.
As I put on another one of Darius’ flannels, a knock sounds at the door. “Yoo hoo! Darius? Paloma?” a female voice calls from the front of the cabin.
“That will be Lana.” Darius pulls on a pair of jeans and heads, shirtless, to answer the door. I follow in nothing but his shirt.
A curvy woman with smooth, dark skin and long, pink-tipped braids throws her arms around Darius’ neck. Behind her, Teddy stands awkwardly holding two large shopping bags.
“Darius! How dare you come to the mountain and notcome to say hello,” Lana mock punches him, making her braids swing. Her hair is the same soft pink as her jumpsuit.
“We were coming to say hello,” Darius grumbles, receiving her hug with a warm embrace, “but your mate decided to knock down a tree and challenge me to a fight in front of Paloma.”
“Yes, I heard about that.” Lana pulls away and glances affectionately over her shoulder at Teddy. “He’s very protective of the cub.” She turns her attention to me, reaching for both my hands instead of shaking one. “And you must be Paloma. It’s so nice to meet you. I’m so thrilled to have a sister-in-law. How are you feeling? I heard about the poison–how horrifying!”
“Um, better, thanks.”
Lana is a lot to take in, but I instantly love her. I’ve been lonely as hell for far too long, especially missing my sister, so I don’t mind that she’s already adopted me as her new kin.
“Good. Matthias can heal anyone–even of poison. Here, I brought some clothes for you.” She turns and takes the shopping bags out of Teddy’s hands. “I didn’t know your size, so if you like anything here, and it doesn’t fit, we can run to my clothing outlet in town.”