Read Online Resounding Truth: (Werewolf Novella) (The Resounding Series) by Kate Thomas - Free Book Online Page B

bargained with humans and dealt with vampires, his main concerns wealth and comfort. He knew nothing of being a true leader of the pack." She paused and shook her head. "I remember my own parents often talking quietly about him and questioning whether he really was 'wolf' at all."
    "I never knew him, but I cannot imagine letting someone like Seth rule the pack. He was frightened by his own shadow, which obviously didn't bode well for him." Dru looked up as sadness stretched across her for a moment.
    Merilla shrugged. "Anyway, when we were about seventeen and the time had come for us to begin looking for a mate, your mother, being the rebel that she was, decided that she wasn't interested in any of the males the pack had to offer, so she was going on the hunt."
    Dru snorted; the very idea of her mother being a rebel seemed so foreign. She had been sweet and loving, kind and very traditional. "You're making this up as you go."
    Merilla laughed. "No, but stick with me and learn something new. You are very much your mother's child. The rebel in her settled down quickly at the arrival of her greatest gift—you."
    Memories pulled at Dru as her eyes swam with tears. She wiped them away and looked back down on Caleb, trying to tuck her memories and the pain of loss away. "Is he going to be okay, Meri?"
    "Yes, baby. He'll need to rest for a few hours, but all of the poison is gone, and he’s incredibly strong. He will live a very long and prosperous life."
    "Okay. Tell me more about Mom." Dru absently rubbed Caleb's hair, a sense of serenity settling over her as she stayed by his side.
    "There was a neighboring pack back in those days, the Graybacks."
    "We're the Graybacks."
    "Well yes, but that's because your father was one. We were originally the Chippewa under your grandfather." She moved to sit and continued, "Your mother had her eye on the Alpha's second in command, the wolf young, but strong and fearless. He was the biggest wolf I'd ever seen. Your mother took me with her several times to see him because it was too suspicious to go out by herself. She, of course, didn't want her family to know what she was doing."
    "Didn't she know that bringing in a Beta would lead to the death or removal of her family from their pack?"
    "She did, but it didn't matter. She'd fallen in love with your father, and nothing could stop that bond from maturing inside of each of them. It was a sad day when your father dismissed your grandfather, the older man far too weak and timid to fight for his position."
    "Did you see the confrontation?"
    "No, but my parents did. Your dad was still very young, but authority sat on him like a cloak and goodness like a halo. He was benevolent and yet vicious." Merilla smiled and started to hum again, her attention on her fingernails and not Dru.
    "I hate Derik for killing him."
    Merilla looked up. "I know you do, but it is the way of our people, Dru. Your dad brought Seth and Derik in at an early age because they had no place to go. He knew the risks, since I and several other seers had glimpsed into the future. The greatest of Alphas will always accept death under the wolf that they've raised to protect and grow their pack."
    "Yeah, but Derik is a bastard. He's nothing like my father. Daddy wouldn't have raised someone to be so mean and filled with rage," Dru scoffed.
    "Wouldn't he?" Merilla left the question in the air, Dru slipping into her own thoughts for a few minutes.
    The curtain opened at the side of the tent and Karis slipped in, her short hair messy and her eyes swollen with lack of sleep. "How is he?"
    "He's healing, but he will be well in a few hours," Merilla answered her.
    Karis moved toward the bed and looked at Dru, a weary smile on her sister's face. "Are you okay?"
    Dru nodded. "Yeah, I'm good. I just hate that he got hurt trying to save me again. I need to start being more aware. If I get another person killed, or even hurt, you guys should beat me good."
    Karis puffed up, her brow clenching as