Page 53 of Wicked Wolf

Quinn frowned and looked at his Alpha and friend. “I want Helena out of my life forever. I don’t want her near Jesse. She almost killed him. I want to forget Helena was ever part of my life and move on.”

Gideon nodded. “With Gina.”

“With Gina,” he said without hesitation.

Gideon’s eyes warmed. “That’s a dramatic change from the way you acted before.”

“I was impulsive before. I can’t deny the pull I feel for her. If I’d seen her before all of this happened all those years ago, there wouldn’t have been a second thought.”

“That second thought hurt the hell out of her.”

He flinched at his Alpha’s words. “Yes. And I’m going to do my best to make it up to her.”

“Do you love her?”

Quinn swallowed hard then let out a breath. “I…I think I could. It’s too soon for me to say that. And when I do? It needs to be to her, not to someone else.”

“Good for you, man. Good for you. Now, let’s get this show on the road, and then we can deal with the other thousand things we have to do for the Pack and your mating bond.”

Quinn groaned. “It’s never-ending.”

“Hey, at least you aren’t Alpha.”

“True. And thank the moon goddess for that.”

Gideon flipped him off then prowled into the stone circle that acted as their Pack circle as well as mating circle in those times of need. It was the first thing that had been established when the Talons settled here all those years ago. The amount of magic that had been bled and beaten into the stones after centuries of ceremony and honor was staggering. No doubt the Redwood circle, which was slightly older, was even more magical.

He stepped into the circle then froze as a familiar scent reached his nose.

He turned and frowned. “Gina?”

She gave him a small wave but didn’t smile. “Your elders called me personally to be here. I wasn’t too pleased with a summons from a Pack not of my own, but if it’s for you, I’ll do it.”

He reached out and cupped her face, pleased when she didn’t back away. “You slay me, Gina.”

She leaned into his hold but didn’t stand on her toes to kiss him like she had before. “Don’t say things like that. Please.”

He shook his head then lowered his lips to hers. She didn’t kiss him back, but she didn’t lean away. That was something at least.

“You are remarkable. Will you stand by my side during this?” His wolf wanted her in his sight at all times, and the man didn’t want to do this without her.

She looked pained but nodded. “Okay. Is Jesse with you?”

“No, he’s with some of the maternals and other children. All of the Brentwoods had to be here, or he’d be with them.” He let out a breath. “I don’t want him to see Helena. I don’t want him to hear the excuses she’s bound to make.”

“Quinn, she was your mate. Are you sure you can move past that? Because you didn’t before.”

He growled softly, but it was at himself, not her. “We will talk about the mistakes I’ve made with you and how I’ve treated you poorly once this is over. I will make it up to you, Gina. Everything. As for Helena? I don’t want her.”

Gina didn’t look as though she believed him, and he knew he had a long journey in proving himself to her. After all, it had taken him far too long to realize that he wanted what fate had provided for him—Gina. And now he had to pay the price for that hesitation, for that denial. He’d do that readily as long as he got to have Gina by his side.

Only he didn’t know if he deserved that. He’d just have to see.

“We’re going to be late,” she said softly then pulled away.

His wolf nudged at him, and he gripped her hand. She looked down at their clasped hands then up at him before turning back toward the stone entrance. They walked into the circle as a mated pair, and he prayed that it symbolized something more than just an easy walk.

There was no one in the center of the circle yet, but most of the Pack had taken their seats. The Brentwoods were in their royal box, with the elders on the other side of the circle in theirs. Quinn pulled Gina toward the Brentwood area and stopped directly beside it. He was a lieutenant, so it was his job to protect the Alpha. This circle was about him and his past. He needed to be close to the action.