Redemption: Montana Wolves, Book Three (Montana Wolves series 3) by Chloe Cole Page B

to be.
    “I didn’t want to lie to you. I need you to believe me when I tell you that I had no choice. Hell, even now, I’m breaking more pack laws than you could ever hope to imagine by telling you. Our kind doesn’t do this sort of thing.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and stared down at her. “Do you know how many humans I’ve shared the truth with, Amber?”
    She glared at him before whipping around to face the fire, staring into its depths as if it held the answer to his question.
    “None,” he said softly. “You are the only person I’ve ever told about us. Because I hated lying to you and I thought you deserved the truth.”
    He’d known this wasn’t going to be easy, but what if he’d gotten it wrong? What if she did the exact opposite of what he’d thought she would do, and betrayed him? Or, worse, betrayed his pack?
    He steeled himself against the rush of emotions that swamped him and shoved it aside. They’d had a bad run with humans lately, what with Sara’s death and Chandra’s kidnapping, but Amalie was living proof that there were humans who deserved their respect. And Amber was one of them.
    "So, just to state the obvious and make sure we're all on the right page, you're what? A werewolf?" she asked, her voice still tight with anger.
    He mulled over that question, debating on arguing semantics, but opted to take the easy route to start. No point in overwhelming her this soon.
    "Basically, yeah."
    "All of you?"
    "The people at the compound, you mean? Yes."
    He’d originally considered only telling her about him, but had dismissed it out of hand. She wasn’t stupid. Once the wheels were set in motion, the rest would fall into place whether he told her or not. No point in losing what little trust he’d earned by telling her another lie that wouldn’t help the situation in any case.
    She started pacing back and forth, muttering to herself, and he didn’t interrupt her. Another five minutes went by before she slowed to look at him again. Some of the anger had faded and her eyes were clearer than he’d ever seen them, like she’d been lifted from a fog. The sight sent a shot of hope through him.
    "And that's why Wheeler wanted Chandra so bad? He wanted to prove that you all existed, is that right? That was all the crazy nonsense he was rambling about."
    He nodded, leaning back against a nearby tree. “And she wasn’t his only victim. He murdered Jax’s first mate, Sara.”
    She blanched and her already pale cheeks went chalk-white. "No wonder Jax hates me.”
    “You didn’t know. You couldn’t have known. You made a mistake.” He pushed away from the tree, and this time, when he stepped forward, she didn’t back away. “We made mistakes on our end too, and I’m trying to rectify that now. What do you say we start fresh? From today.”
    Her responding nod was tentative and slow to come. “We can try.”
    He would need more than that from her soon enough, but for tonight? He’d take it.
    Her nod circled around, morphing into a dazed shake of her head. “I know I should be freaking out right now. Werewolves exist. Jesus, it’s like a frigging bizarre dream. But all I feel is residual anger.” She met his gaze, her brows knit in confusion. “And relief. How crazy is that? Like, a frigging Mack truck ton has been lifted off my shoulders. Because I knew."
    She bit her trembling bottom lip and the fire bathed her skin in a warm glow as she wrapped her arms around her waist and rocked slowly from side to side.
    "I was so lost. I knew I'd seen something, but my brain just wouldn't accept it.” Her throat worked as she swallowed hard enough that he could hear it. “Thank you for showing me. I know it must have been a difficult decision.”
    There was so much more to the story. So much more he needed to say before he could even imagine an outcome that didn’t end in tragedy. But her words were a start. The kernel of hope he needed to push forward with his plan.
    Tomorrow .
    But