Heartsong (Green Creek, #3)

by T.J. Klune

“I don’t know who I am,” I admitted, and it was a terrible thing to say aloud, but after the words were out, I felt … lighter. Almost free. The Alpha took a step toward me. i know i know child but you will i promise you will you are important you are special you are—

He laughed until I thought he would pass out. I wanted to hear that sound for as long as I could. For a moment it was like this was a first date, like we were relative strangers just getting to know each other. Like we had all the time in the world. We didn’t, but I could pretend. Because there was a man like sunshine sitting across from me, acting like there was no place he’d rather be than here with me.

“And I know you’re still you, Robbie. I know it with everything I have, because that’s not your wolf. It’s Kelly’s.”

“I wonder,” she said. “About what?” “What makes a man?” Her face was covered in shadow. Her hand never left my hair. “If all he knows is stripped away, what is it that remains?” “I don’t know.” “I didn’t either until we found you again. I think I know the answer now. Would you like to hear it?” “Yes.” Almost more than anything. She said, “What remains is a broken heart shattered like so much glass. Pieces are missing, and the ones that are left don’t fit like they used to. But still it beats, because no matter what is taken away, no matter what is lost, it needs to continue. To survive. You are a survivor, Robbie. And not even magic can take that away from you.”

“You said you thought the world of me. That we’d been through so much and you couldn’t stand another day if I didn’t know that. You told me that you were a good wolf, a strong wolf, and if I’d only give you a chance, you’d make sure I’d never regret it.”

“I said no homo,” a voice whispered in my ear. My eyes flashed open. Everyone else was gone aside from the bastard behind me. Carter burst out laughing as I tried to pull away. He held on tightly, his growl rumbling in my ear. “I know you don’t remember, but you love cuddling with me. Promise. You always said as much. Pissed Kelly off to no end.” “Let me go, Carter.” “Nah,” he said easily. “Just a little bit longer. Need to get my scent on you some more. Make you smell like pack. Are you into watersports? That’d make things quicker if you are. I could just whip it out and— Oof!”

“Crap,” Carter muttered. “You were serious.” “I’m always serious,” Ox said. Carter sighed. “You know, you take this Werewolf Jesus thing a little too far.” He twirled his hand in the air above him. “Take this bread, all of you, for it is my body. Eat of me and—” “Your little brother doesn’t seem to mind eating my bread.” Carter looked horrified, even as Joe screeched incredulously.

“Why is Robbie sitting there with his mouth open?” Chris whispered to Tanner. “I think he’s coming to a dawning realization,” Tanner whispered back. “Keep watching him.”

“Because you filled a hole in me I didn’t even know was there. You make me complete. You make me happy. I see you, Robbie. I see you.”

“We are literally the gayest pack that has ever existed,” Rico said to no one in particular. “I see no problem with this.”

Impossibly, ridiculously, Carter whispered through a mouthful of blood, “Oh shit. I think I’m bisexual.”

“Mom,” he croaked as a tear spilled down his cheek, chest hitching. And ah, god, there was so much blue pouring off him, I thought it would drown us all. “He … left. Mom? Why—why did he go? Why did he leave? I didn’t know. I didn’t know.”