The Alpha's Rebel

Chapter 37

"Kyla was a hunter."

Maddox and I both tense up. I turn my focus to my mate once again. His eyes meet mine, and I hold his gaze. I watch him take a deep breath, noticing the shakiness. It concerns me. I've never seen him take a breath like that, not even when I have him fully under my control in our bedroom.

He's scared, and that scares me.

Alan continues, "Your mom was a hunter, but we made things work. She came to understand that werewolves were not the sadistic and inhumane creatures she had grown up being taught about, and she taught me ways to better protect my pack against hunters. I was happier than I had ever been. And then you came along, Maddox, and I couldn't imagine how life could get any better.

"Her family never forgave her. To them, your mother was nothing but a traitor, and to break the oath of a hunter is a death sentence. Your mother didn't just teach me ways to protect my pack from hunters; she taught me how to protect her from them, as well. We had six blissful years together before her family finally found her." A lone tear escapes Alan's eye, and he remains silent for a moment before continuing. "They killed her with no mercy right in front of me."

I gasp, and Maddox lets go of my hand as he abruptly stands up. He walks to the edge of the balcony, gripping the wood until his knuckles turn white. I stand up and approach him, placing a soft hand in the center of his back.

"They weren't expecting any retaliation. Hunters have never understood the bond between mates. I hunted them using their very own game and killed her father. Your grandfather, Maddox. As guilty as I feel for taking his life, I don't regret it. If he had the ability to murder his own daughter in cold blood, I refuse to feel bad for taking his life.

"I'm worried that a hunter may now be coming after you."

~~~~

Back at the house, the mood of my friends is quickly brought down when Maddox and I get back. Molly has dinner ready at the table, but Maddox goes straight up to our bedroom. Everyone crowds around the center kitchen island.

"Everything okay?" Thay asks, concern etched across his face. He glances in the direction Maddox disappeared before looking back to me.

I shake my head back and forth.

"Did you find out anything?" Molly asks.

"Yeah, but it's not my place to share," I say softly, glancing up in the direction that Maddox and I'd bedroom is in. "I think things are a lot worse than we though they were, though."

My friends don't question my secretiveness. They know it has nothing to do with not trusting them; I'm loyal to the people I love, and that includes keeping secrets that aren't mine to share. They know this.

"What can we do to help?" Vinnie asks, bracing his hands wide against the edge of the counter.

"Take my mind off of it. Dinner smells amazing, Mols."

That's all I need to say. Silverware clatters as Molly dishes us each a heaping plate of the pasta she made, and conversation erupts around me as Kaitlyn explains how her and Dax can't decide who's going to switch packs. I don't have to force the smile on my face as I join in, trying to just enjoy this time I have with my friends regardless of what's going on. My mind keeps drifting to Maddox, but he needs some time to process. Me being there wouldn't help or hurt him; it would only distract him from what's going through his head right now. As much as I would love to take his mind off of it and forget about the threat of the hunter, I can't do that.

"So, game plan for tonight. I'm thinking, for, like, the first time ever, we actually go out," Kaitlyn suggests. "How much fun would it be if us girls got to dress up and go drink our way to the dance floor?"