Stolen and Forgiven (Branded Packs #1)(28)

Ariel put her hand on his chest once again and lifted on her toes to kiss the bottom of his chin. “Never take my pain, Holden. If you want me to be a partner, then let me help. I won’t leave your side today. I’ll help you in any way I can. If that means holding you while you grieve the part of you the humans ripped away, then I will. I know this isn’t what we thought it was, but I’m yours, Holden. All I ask is that you let me find my place.”

His wolf pressed against him, wanting out, wanting to run and be with Ariel until the end of days rather than being merely the Alpha. Yet, he couldn’t do that. Instead, he brought Ariel in his arms, inhaled her scent, and knew they’d find a way to make this work.

He pulled away and rested his forehead on hers. “We need to go. If we’re late, the humans will take it out on us.”

“The SAU,” she whispered. “Call them the SAU. Not all humans would do this.” Tears glazed over her eyes, even if he saw the fury in them. “But I still hate that I fell for the lies the SAU told us. I hate myself for not finding a way to free you. I’ll never forgive myself.”

He kissed her softly and led her away from the house. “Propaganda works wonders, siren. We’ll find a way to our freedom.” They had to. She slid her hand into his, and his wolf brushed up against his skin, wanting more. The wolf had already fallen for the woman—had at first scent—now the man knew her strength, her determination and wasn’t far behind.

“So the guards just watch?” Ariel asked, her voice low.

Holden growled and took a deep breath. He needed to remain in full control today. If he didn’t, he’d slip up and the children would feel the pain. There was no way he could take that chance. He owed it to his Pack to protect them—even from himself.

“Yes, they watch. They also take out some of our wolves and make examples of them if we’re not showing the proper respect.” He clenched his jaw and allowed his wolf to once again rise to the surface. His wolf would aid in what they had to do as long as Holden held the reins.

“Examples?”

“They use Tasers and electric sticks to hurt us when we’re not doing what they want.”

“Barbarians.”

“And yet we’re the ones with the collars.” He looked down at her, only to see her fingering the collar at her neck. If there had been another way to keep her safe without forcing her to endure captivity he’d have done it.

There might have been another choice…one that only a chosen few knew about, but Ariel wouldn’t have survived outside the walls in that circumstance. He pushed that unnecessary thought from his mind.

They made their way to the center of the compound, Ariel’s hand firmly clasped in his. A few wolves had already gathered there, waiting for Holden to begin. Not every wolf would show up for this. There was only so much everyone could stomach year after year. At first, every single Pack member had shown up as a sign of solidarity, but Holden had pushed them away after a few years. Forcing everyone to witness the brutality that came with captivity and being Alpha only hurt the morale of the Pack. So only a chosen few would stay behind and guard Holden when he was at his weakest. Friends and family members of the children who had just turned two would also be in attendance. No children other than the ones who would be branded today were there.

They didn’t need to see this as they’d already lived it once. When they were adults, they would be able to come back and help Holden and those who would forever be changed. Of course, if Holden and the others had their way, by the time the children were old enough to choose, they wouldn’t be behind the walls anymore, under the thumb of the SAU.

Time would tell if plans came to fruition.

Once again, he pushed those thoughts from his mind. He rolled his shoulders and let go of Ariel’s hand. She brushed his hip, and he looked down at her.

“Let me hold you,” she said softly.

He shook his head. “I need to concentrate,” he whispered, knowing the guards were near.

She lifted up on her toes and brushed a kiss on his cheek. “Then I will be here when you need me.”

He nodded, emotion clogging his throat. He shouldn’t have brought her here, not when he wanted to keep her as his, but he hadn’t had a choice. The Pack needed to see her, and Ariel needed to know everything about what it meant to be the Alpha’s mate.

In his mind, once she shifted, she would be a partner, one who could stand with him and help him keep his Pack safe. She would be strong, fearless, and soft only for him. Though she hadn’t shown her true wolf yet, he could taste the dominance of her soul, the strength of her heart.

She would be an Alpha’s mate in truth. Of that he was sure.

There were six children today.

So many.

Of course, they hadn’t had a branding in four months. The guards hadn’t come to force it and Holden had held off, knowing the SAU wanted its hands in all things shifter. He’d branded more than six at one time before, but today would be long. He met Soren’s gaze, and his Beta nodded. Holden would be out of energy at the end of this. It would take all in his power to keep on his feet and make it home, before he passed out in agony and sheer exhaustion. Soren would have to do his best to keep the peace and the Pack safe while Holden was out of commission.

His wolf huffed at the thought, but Holden held back a shrug. This was his lot in life, and he’d do it over and over again if it meant the relative safety of his people.