He paused to consider his next words before replying. “I don’t know if it’s the same for humans, but we form very strong bonds with our pups at birth. Sometimes, when pups are born sickly, we purposely distance ourselves, to make it easier when they die.”
“Oh…” Sarah said softly. “I guess I can sort of understand.”
It still sounded cruel to Sarah, but she reminded herself that they weren’t human, not entirely. She couldn’t judge them for following their natural instincts.
“Still,” she said. “Snow’s fine now. She’s a little sick, but it’s nothing we can’t manage. What she needs more than anything is a parent. Hale can’t keep acting like she doesn’t exist.”
Alder took Sarah’s hand, helping to her pull her up a steep rock. The pathway sloped downward, and past a good half mile of forest, Sarah thought she could see the river, but it might have just been wishful thinking. The muscles in her legs were starting to protest, but it was good ache, and she wasn’t ready to turn back.
“You know what I really don’t understand?” she asked as they continued down the path. “I don’t understand why Dawn would want to be with Hale instead of him. She and Cain had a child together. Why would she just throw all that away to be with Hale?” She wrinkled her nose. “Hale had to have been a teenager when they were together.”
“Why were you so quick to break off your relationship with Cain?” Alder countered.
She frowned. “That was different. Cain and I have only known each other for a month, and we don’t have a child together, not yet.”
“But you will.”
Sarah took a deep breath before nodding. “We will,” she agreed, and it was strange to accept it. More to herself than to Alder, she added, “And that’s why I’m going to try and work things out between us. I’m not sure if I can ever forgive him. Honestly, I don’t want to ever forgive him at this point, but I am going to try to make it work.”
She still wasn’t sure if it was the mature decision or if it was a cop out, but Sarah knew now that she was too invested in her life with the wolves to just walk away.
Alder said, “Dawn wasn’t a bad mother, she was just lonely. Cain didn’t treat her poorly, but he never loved her, so she turned to someone who would.”
“And that someone was you,” she said.
Alder stopped in his tracks, turning to look at her. His face was perfectly blank, and she did her best to mirror his expression. As they stared at one another, the realization that she was right began to creep over her.
It had been a total shot in the dark, but something had been nagging at her. Something about the way he looked when he spoke about Dawn.
“You were in love with her,” Sarah breathed. “I don’t understand. Why does everyone think Snow is Hale’s daughter? Does Cain know?”
Alarm flashed over his face. In a tight voice, he said, “No.” He looked away from her, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “Just Hale.”
Sarah moved to stand in front of Alder, forcing him to look at her. “Why not just tell the truth? What difference does it make?”
His eyes narrowed. “Hale’s an alpha. Someday very soon, he’s going to leave the pack and take a mate of his own.” Alder let out a sharp exhale. “I’m not an alpha. I’m probably going to spend the rest of my life here. If Cain knows the truth, he’ll always resent me.”
“You don’t know that,” she said, putting a hand on his arm.
He shook his head. “I’ve seen the way Cain looks at Hale. They used to be close, now Cain hardly speaks to him. You can’t tell him.”
It disturbed her to see such a large, strong male appear so vulnerable, and Sarah found herself stroking his arm in a reassuring gesture.
“If it worries you so much, why don’t you leave with Hale?”
He gave her a stricken look. “I can’t leave Snow.”
While she was contemplating his words, Alder’s muscles tensed up. She noticed his gaze had shifted to the woods behind her, but when she glanced back, all Sarah could see was a blur of snow and trees. Alder circled an arm around her, guiding her back up the hill.
“Come on. Let’s get back to the den,” he said, looking over his shoulder as they walked.
“What is it?” she asked nervously.
Alder’s reply was murmured, and she only caught one part of it, “…or maybe bears…”
“Bears?” she hissed. “Seriously, bears again?”
He placed a finger over her lips. “Hush.”
As they came to the summit of the hill, Alder paused and looked down, scanning the woods with his keen gaze. Anxiously, Sarah tugged at his sweater.