Free An Alpha's Trust by Shannon Duane Page A

mother wolf would for her cub. Please give me a chance.”
    “I ran away, Jake. I don’t want to do this anymore. I want to live a normal life. I don’t want to have to look around every corner and be suspicious of everyone. I want peace.” She could feel her panic start to rise.
    “I haven’t gone out since high school. I can’t drink alcohol because I need all my focus at all times. I haven’t dated and have resigned myself to live with Trevor; he’s all I’ll ever need. I never wanted a relationship. I’m still not sure I do.”
    “You don’t have to decide right now, Shana. I know we’d be perfect together, but I won’t force you. As I’ve said, my pack will keep you safe. Even if you’re not ready, we’ll care for and watch over you. One day maybe you’ll come to me.” He hoped it was soon because the look she was giving him shot straight to his groin. Like he could be her salvation. He wanted to carry her to her room, make gentle sweet love to her and show her how a man really acted.
    “Would you like to stay for dinner? After I put Trevor down we can talk about...stuff.” She turned away without waiting for his answer. She knew he wasn’t going anywhere.

 
    Chapter 12
     
    She looked out the kitchen window and saw Trevor riding a big brown wolf, almost as big as Jake. She knew it was Grant. She didn’t know how she knew, but she was aware of all of the wolves. She knew her son was safe.
    Trevor came pounding into the kitchen. “I got to ride a wolfie, mommy.” She had never seen so much joy on his face.
    Using her sternest voice, she said, “Go wash up now, it’s time for dinner and we have a guest.” She looked to Jake.
    “I’ll come along, little buddy. I’ve got to wash up too.” They raced to the bathroom laughing as she set the table. How had she become so uptight? She thought her and Trevor had a good life, but she couldn’t remember ever hearing such happiness from her own child. Was she pushing her fears and anxiety off on him? Bloody hell.
    “Mama, Jake says if I eats all my broccoli tonight, he’ll read me my bedtime story. I want the one about the lady eating a bat. Can he read that to me?”
    “Of course, big guy. I’m sure he’d love to read it, but you have to eat the broccoli. We’ll be watching you.” She made a motion with her index and middle finger like she was watching him and he giggled.
    The conversation at dinner was light. Mostly, Trevor telling them about his day, and what the kids in his class were up to. He had always been very social. Shana thought he might have trouble adjusting to school and the move, but he was doing fine. She was the one in an emotional pitfall.
    They were done eating and Trevor got up to take his bath with Jake following. Suddenly, Jake took a sniff and said, “Tsk, tsk, Trevor. I guess you don’t want that story I promised.”
    Shana was a bit confused until Trevor put on a small smile and said, “Way cool, Jakie,” pulling a piece of broccoli from his pocket and popping it into his mouth.
    He chewed, swallowed and then stuck his tongue out and said, “All done. That was neat. Can you show me how to do that?”
    Jake winked over his shoulder to Shana and went up to help Trevor.
    She stood at the kitchen sink and smiled. The boys were bonding. She had a sudden feeling of loss. The boys were bonding, but she was on the outside. She was so emotionally scarred that her five-year-old was able to love, but not her. Whoa, maybe love is too strong a word.
    She walked up the stairs and heard the melodic tone of Jake’s voice reading ‘The Little Old Lady Who Swallowed A Bat.’ She stood outside the door and listened. He was really great with her son. Accepting.
    At the end of the story, she was shocked to hear a little voice. “Thanks; I love you, Jake. You can read me a story at night all the time and mommy can come and read me a story too. She is so sad. I know you can make her happy, like you make me smile. Mommy needs to