Chapter 195

Chapter 0195

I had no idea when I agreed to come to Cara’s house for dinner that it would be this emotional. There’s so much going on, so many emotions, so many memories that are coming to the forefront. It’s a bit overwhelming.

Liam has been very supportive. I’m glad he’s here. I’m not sure I could do this

without him.

“Anders, you want to help me with the ribs? Cara, are you ready with everything else?

“Yep, we’ll get the table set while you go pull the ribs off the slow cooker.” She says to Clint before looking at us. “They’ve been cooking for several hours. They should fall off the bone.”

I follow her to the kitchen. “What can I do to help?” I ask.

Rik goes to the oven and begins pulling out what looks like twice–baked potatoes, some sort of vegetable casserole and something else that smells like mac and cheese.

“It all smells delicious.” Liam says, coming up behind me and putting his hand. on my hip. I’ve noticed that any time I move away from him, he makes sure that he moves close again, touching me. I don’t mind, it helps me to feel relaxed in this new environment.

Cara hands us some platters and tells us to put them on the table. We’re all

moving to the table when Clint and Alpha Anders come in with a huge amount of ribs.

Clint and Anders sit at each end of the table, with Cara and I sitting beside Clint and across from each other and Rik and Liam sitting beside Anders and across from each other.

When we’re all seated, Anders speaks up. “So, Angel, we didn’t get a chance to be formally introduced. I’m Alpha Anders, the previous Alpha for Canyon Ridge Pack and this fine fellow is my son, Rik, the current Alpha.

“It’s nice to meet you both.” I say as food is passed around and I watch as all four men pile so much food onto their plates that I don’t see how they will be able to eat it all. Cara isn’t too far behind them, filling her plate to nearly overflowing. By comparison, my plate looks practically empty. No wonder Liam keeps telling me to eat, if he thinks this is how much I’m supposed to be eating.

Clint looks at me. “You are welcome to have as much food as you want. There is

+15 BONOS

plenty.”

“I’m fine, thank you.” I say and bite into the ribs. The familiar taste hits my tongue and I close my eyes enjoying the memories of sitting around a campfire, eating this meat.

“This is bear, right?”

Every head at the table looks at me. “You know what bear tastes like?” Rik asks

I shrug, not sure if I should say anything. I am in a room with three Alphas. “My family and I were rogues for six years. During that time, my father caught a few bears, which was great because it fed us for several days.” I said, watching their reactions to me being a rogue. No one said anything or looked like they were going to kick me out.

“Your father must have been quite a strong wolf to kill several bears.” It’s Clint that comments.

“He was the lead warrior in our pack. After we left, our Alpha searched for us for years. We had to move frequently when they’d find us or get too close. It wasn’t until one of my father’s friends found us and realized that my parents left for me that we ended up with a stable home.”

“What do you mean? How did his friend finding you give you a stable home?” It’s Alpha Anders that asks this time.

I explain the meeting with Jude and how he let us use his cabin, provided us with a burner phone and kept us informed of the search. “It gave us a few years of peace before everything fell apart.”

Clint reaches out and takes my hand. “Let’s finish dinner before we get into the heavy details.” He says and I’m grateful. I’m having a hard time swallowing thinking back to those days.

It’s quiet for a moment before I pick up another rib. “So, who caught this bear?” I ask, taking a bite. When I realize no one has answered me, I look up to see everyone looking at Liam. He’s looking uncomfortable.

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