Listen to me 92

In “Listen to me 92,” Sloane finds herself in a tense situation as she and her brother Slade approach their car, where Uncle Roman awaits. Slade’s protective nature surfaces as he checks on Sloane’s well-being after an encounter with Benedict, who has taken measures to address the bullying Sloane faces at school. While Sloane feels relief for Slade’s safety, she grapples with her own fears and the complications surrounding her family’s dynamics. The conversation quickly escalates when Benedict confronts Uncle Roman about the bullying, revealing a deeper conflict that Sloane is reluctant to address.

As tensions rise, Sloane feels the weight of her silence regarding the bullying and the impact it has on her life. Benedict urges her to speak up and not fight her battles alone, emphasizing that her family can offer protection. Despite her frustration with him, Sloane is caught off guard by a kiss from Benedict, leaving her in a whirlwind of emotions. The moment serves as a catalyst for her to consider the importance of sharing her truth, though she is still hesitant about the repercussions it may bring.

When they return to the car, Uncle Roman’s anger is palpable, and Sloane is confronted with the harsh reality of her situation. She finally opens up about the bullying and the pain it has caused her, revealing the cruelty of her peers who remind her of her family’s tragic past. The conversation shifts to the involvement of other packs, highlighting the complexities of their world and the alliances that may need to be navigated. Sloane’s bond with her brother Slade is evident as they support each other amidst the chaos.

As they arrive home, Sloane is met with mixed emotions, especially when her grandfather Waylon arrives. The family history weighs heavily on her, filled with pain and betrayal that she struggles to reconcile. However, the arrival of her friend Will brings a moment of lightness, providing Sloane with a sense of comfort amidst the familial tensions. The chapter closes on a hopeful note, as Sloane feels a glimmer of support from her friends and family, hinting at potential healing and the strength she needs to confront her challenges.

**Listen to me 92**

Sloane

“Hey, are you alright?” Slade’s voice cuts through the air as we make our way toward the car where Uncle Roman patiently awaits us.

“Yeah,” I reply, though the word feels inadequate.

A sense of relief washes over me knowing that Benedict has taken steps to ensure Slade’s safety. My own well-being feels secondary; all I truly care about is ensuring my brother is secure.

“He didn’t upset you, did he?” Slade’s tone is low, almost a growl. My brother’s protectiveness is a mirror of my own, an unbreakable bond that runs deep.

“No, surprisingly, he was quite nice,” I respond, hoping to ease his concern.

As I glance up, I catch a glimpse of Uncle Roman’s lips pressed into a thin line, a sure sign that disappointment is brewing beneath the surface. My heart races as I watch Benedict approach him, my instincts screaming that something is about to unfold.

“What the hell?” I exclaim, pushing myself forward, urgency propelling my steps.

“I want you to understand, Alpha Roman, that I do not tolerate the behavior of my she-wolves. They will face consequences for their actions. I hold Sloane, Aisling, and your Luna Samara in the highest regard,” Benedict declares, his voice steady but firm.

“Benedict, what are you doing?” I interject, my voice laced with confusion as I stride closer.

“I’m certain Principal Rollins reached out to inform you that four she-wolves were bullying Sloane today. Since two of them belong to my pack, I felt it was important to assure you that I have taken care of the situation,” he explains.

I know for a fact that Principal Rollins has never informed Uncle Roman about my struggles. He never does.

Uncle Roman’s gaze shifts to me as he addresses Benedict. “Actually, Alpha Benedict, I would appreciate hearing your perspective on this matter.”

“I’m certain Alpha Benedict has far more pressing issues to attend to, Uncle Roman. He shouldn’t waste his time on trivial schoolyard antics,” I interject hastily, trying to defuse the tension.

“Well, Sloane, if I could get YOU to share those ‘trivial schoolyard antics,’ I wouldn’t have to rely on others, would I?” His tone is sharp, cutting through the air like a knife. “No one has brought up bullying to me before,” he growls, his frustration palpable.

I glance at Benedict, silently pleading for his help to navigate this minefield.

“Alpha Roman, are you planning to attend our political dinner tomorrow night?” Benedict asks, shifting the subject.

Political dinner? What political dinner?

“Yes, Samara and I will be present,” Uncle Roman replies, his demeanor softening slightly.

“Perhaps we can discuss this further then, Alpha,” Benedict suggests, his voice calm and controlled.

“I’ll ensure I have time for that,” Uncle Roman responds, signaling the end of this conversation. “Let’s go.”

As I approach the back door of the car, I turn to Benedict, mouthing a silent plea of ‘please’ to him.

He steps closer, shutting the door behind him, creating an intimate bubble around us. “It’s time you stop fighting this battle alone, Sloane. Your aunt and uncle wield considerable power. They can protect Slade just as much, if not more, than I can. Isn’t that what you want?”

I shut my eyes, the weight of his words pressing down on me. “They don’t know anything. I don’t want to be the catalyst for a war.”

He gently lifts my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “You’re not igniting a war, Sloane. By remaining silent, you’re inadvertently encouraging it, allowing others to believe they hold more power than they truly do. Stop giving strength to wolves who have none. Share your truth tonight, or I will do it tomorrow.”

“Do you have any idea how much I want to punch you right now?” I snarl, frustration bubbling within me.

A smirk dances across his lips. “I would relish the chance to spar with you. But for now,” he says, leaning in unexpectedly and pressing his lips to mine.

The kiss catches me off guard; I hadn’t anticipated a warm, firm yet gentle connection. He pulls back swiftly, just out of reach of my retaliatory punch.

“I’ll see you Monday. You need to tell your uncle. It would have a greater impact coming from you,” he states, turning away.

As he strides off, I blink in disbelief, still reeling from the warmth of his kiss, a strange tingling sensation lingering on my lips.

Climbing into the car, I instantly feel the heat of Uncle Roman’s anger radiating from him.

“Are you going to enlighten me about what’s really been happening?” he growls, his voice low and dangerous.

I glance at Slade, who nods, encouraging me to speak up. Uncle Roman’s eyes narrow as he observes our exchange. “Now, Sloane.”

“Kids can be cruel, Uncle Roman. They know about our parents. They call us murderers, claiming no one will ever want us. It’s just childish nonsense,” I explain, my voice trembling slightly.

“Then why does Principal Rollins keep insisting that YOU are the problem?” he retorts, frustration evident in his tone.

“He only shows up after I’ve ended the discussion,” I reply, meeting his gaze through the rearview mirror.

His eyes narrow further. “Alpha Benedict mentioned that two of the four girls are from his pack. What about the other two?”

“Uncle Roman…” I begin, hesitating.

“Alpha Jeremy’s pack,” Slade interjects. “And Principal Rollins is fortunate that Aisling didn’t humiliate him in front of the entire school. She was furious, rightfully so, but she didn’t force him to his knees.”

“I will be having a serious discussion with Principal Rollins,” Uncle Roman growls as we pull out of the parking lot.

Silence envelops us for several miles, the tension thick in the air. It’s I who finally shatters the quiet.

“I didn’t realize you had a meeting this weekend,” I say, attempting to lighten the mood.

“Yes, but your Grandfather Waylon and Grandmother Judith will be joining us, along with Alpha Will,” he replies, his tone softening slightly.

“Will is coming?” My excitement bubbles over. Will is a fantastic friend; his presence will help me navigate the turbulent waters between me and my grandparents.

“Your Aunt Samara thought you’d appreciate having him here,” Uncle Roman explains.

A smile spreads across my face as I glance down. While I adore Uncle Roman and trust him implicitly, Aunt Samara seems to grasp my needs on a deeper level. Perhaps it’s because we share blood, or maybe it’s because we’re both women, but she always knows how to support me.

“Scarlet is going to lose her mind,” Slade chuckles, eliciting a laugh from me.

“Absolutely. She’s still holding out hope that they are mates,” I agree, the amusement lifting my spirits.

“Funny, I’m hoping that the two of you are mates,” Uncle Roman quips, casting a sidelong glance at me.

I scrunch my nose in mock disgust. “Will and I are just friends, Uncle Roman. We always have been.”

“Are you certain?” he probes, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

I shrug, a playful smile creeping onto my lips. “Well, I hope so. Being mated to Will would feel like being mated to Slade. Eww!”

Slade snorts, laughter bubbling up as Uncle Roman joins in, the atmosphere lightening considerably. By the time we pull onto our pack lands, the laughter echoes through the car, a much-needed release of tension.

As we arrive at the packhouse, I hop out of the car, only to be enveloped in a warm hug from Uncle Roman.

“I love you, Sloane. I love you as if you were my own daughter. I know you’ve never accepted me as a father, and I understand that. But my feelings for you remain unchanged. I want you to know you can come to me about anything,” he whispers, his voice low and sincere, meant only for my ears.

I wrap my arms around him, feeling an overwhelming sense of safety in his embrace, a sanctuary in a world that often feels chaotic.

“Thank you,” I whisper back, my heart swelling with gratitude.

He presses a gentle kiss to the top of my head before stepping back. “Now, brace yourself.”

A frown creases my brow, and as I look past him, my heart sinks at the sight of my grandfather Waylon. I had hoped for at least one more peaceful night before their arrival.

With a forced smile plastered on my face, I approach my grandfather. I didn’t always know who he was to me; Uncle Roman and Aunt Samara had made him wait until I asked. The moment I did, I wished I hadn’t.

Grandpa Waylon always gazes at me as if I’m a long-lost child. I’m not; I’m his long-lost grandchild, and I’m not lost at all.

I know the story of my family all too well. My grandfather chose a mate but ultimately found his fated one. He had a son with his chosen mate, Kaelin, but the mate bond drew him to my grandmother, and they had a child together—my father, Derrick. According to my grandmother, Kaelin was a terrible heir, and his mother was no better. My grandfather renounced his heir, telling my bastard father that he wanted him to take on that role.

Tragically, my mother was unaware of this and killed my father before he could reveal his true lineage to her. Pregnant with me at the time, she couldn’t bring herself to end my life as well.

I learned all of this far too young, unable to process the weight of it. I stumbled upon the love letters exchanged between my mother and father, a discovery that shattered my understanding of my family.

Once I grasped their identities, a torrent of anger surged within me directed at my grandparents, though it isn’t entirely their fault. My mother is the true architect of the chaos and devastation that plagues our family. She murdered my father, her fated mate, driven by her desire to be a Luna, convinced he wouldn’t lead his own pack. In doing so, she obliterated her own legacy.

My mother was a white wolf, a rare lineage descended from a pure Alpha line. After she killed my father, her wolf lost the Moon Goddess’ blessing, and the purity of the white wolf was stripped away. For years, I sought to prove myself worthy of that legacy, but when Aisling came to me, she was a normal wolf.

I adore Aisling; she is a pure Alpha wolf, but she isn’t a white wolf. I’ve come to terms with my unworthiness of a white wolf, yet it pains me that my incredible wolf doesn’t get to fulfill the life she was destined for.

“Hi, Grandpa Waylon. Hello, Grandma Judith,” I say, approaching them for a hug.

“Sloane. We need to discuss something important with you this weekend,” Grandpa Waylon states, his tone serious.

I have no clue what could be so vital, but I’m about to suggest we find time to talk when I spot another car approaching down the drive.

I turn to watch as it parks, and a familiar figure steps out.

“Will!” I call out, rushing into his welcoming arms.

“Hello, Sloane. What kind of trouble have you found yourself in this time?” he teases, a grin spreading across his face.

“How much time do you have?” I reply, my voice laced with playful exasperation.

He grins wider, wrapping his arm around me as we head inside.

“I have as much time as you need.”

As the weight of the day’s events settles around me, I feel a shift within, a flicker of hope igniting in the depths of my heart. The protective gestures from Benedict, the unwavering support from Slade, and the unexpected warmth of Uncle Roman’s embrace have all contributed to a newfound sense of belonging. For the first time in a long while, I realize that I am not alone in this fight. The burden of my family’s legacy, the shadows of my mother’s past, and the cruelty of my peers no longer feel insurmountable; instead, they become threads in a tapestry that I can weave with the help of those who care for me. The laughter shared in the car, the promise of Will’s presence, and the safety I feel in my uncle’s arms all remind me that I have allies, that I can confront the challenges ahead with a united front.

Yet, as I stand on the precipice of this new chapter, I am acutely aware that the journey is far from over. The tension with Uncle Roman and the looming presence of my grandfather serve as stark reminders of the complexities that lie ahead. I must find the courage to share my truth, to confront the past, and to stand firm against the forces that seek to undermine my worth. With each step forward, I embrace the uncertainty, knowing that the love and support surrounding me will be my guiding light. As I lean into the warmth of Will’s embrace, I am reminded that I am not defined by my lineage or the mistakes of those before me; I am Sloane, a force in my own right, ready to forge my path and reclaim my story.

**What to Expect in the Next Chapter?**

As the tension in the packhouse escalates, Sloane will find herself at a crossroads, facing the weight of her family’s legacy and the pressures of her peers. With her grandfather Waylon’s serious demeanor hinting at urgent matters that could change everything, readers can expect revelations that will challenge Sloane’s understanding of her place within the pack. The arrival of Will adds a layer of complexity to her emotions, and their budding friendship may be tested as secrets unravel and loyalties are questioned. Will Sloane find the courage to confront her past and the truth about her family, or will she retreat into the shadows once more?

Furthermore, the political dinner looms on the horizon, promising not only potential alliances but also conflicts that could ignite tensions between packs. Benedict’s insistence on Sloane sharing her truth may lead to a pivotal moment where she must choose between her own fears and the safety of those she loves. As the stakes rise, the dynamics between Sloane, her brother Slade, and their protective uncle Roman will be put to the ultimate test. Will Sloane step into her power and reclaim her voice, or will she allow the ghosts of her family’s past to dictate her future? The next chapter promises to be a whirlwind of emotions, confrontations, and unexpected alliances that will leave readers on the edge of their seats.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.