Page 100 of Taming of a Wolf

Once we return the boat, we seek out the nearest subway and ride to Kate’s apartment. I’m so tired I almost fall asleep on Anders’s shoulder. Hand in hand, we leave the train and hurry through the streets until we’re at her building. Anders rushes up the stairs, following Jace’s faint scent, shuffling restlessly as I climb the final steps. He wants to see Jace.

I ring the doorbell, and Anders fidgets beside me.

Kate smiles when she answers the door. “Come in, come in. He’s brushing his teeth now.”

The apartment is dark except for the glow of lamplight in the living room.

“Thank you so much for taking him at such last minute.” I give her a quick hug she returns.

A door creaks open. “Anders?” Jace’s hopeful voice flips a switch in Anders. He whirls around to face Jace, who is frozen in the middle of the doorway.

“Lad,” Anders says, voice so soft and gentle it’s almost a whisper.

“You came back!” Jace charges across the room, and Anders drops to his knees and wraps my brother in his arms, carefully avoiding his injury. He nuzzles into Jace’s shoulder, but not before I notice the tear that falls down his cheek.

“Aye. Of course I did, pup.”

Jace’s narrow shoulders heave with overjoyed sobs. “You can’t ever leave again, Anders. You’re our family, okay? Family sticks together, no matter what.”

Anders makes a sound between a laugh and a sob. “And you’re mine too, Jace.”

I wipe my eyes, smiling so wide it hurts.

As I pull them both into a hug, my heart has never felt so full.

For so long, it was just Jace and me against the world. I never could have imagined a Viking werewolf was the missing piece my little family was missing.

I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Epilogue

Anders

“This is a badidea.”

Jamie waves a hand. “Oh, hush, puppy dog. It’s a great idea.”

Sometimes I question my mate’s sanity. “They’ll never approve.”

Jamie just folds his arms defiantly. “Give them a chance.”

My stomach won’t stop churning as I count down the minutes until Jess and Bailey arrive. Somehow, I let Jamie convince me to show Jess and Bailey my true self. Jamie assured me he’d “come out” to them as a wolf as well. I don’t know what I was thinking.

So far, I’ve been wrong in many of my assumptions about the human world, but if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that humans are unpredictable in the best and worst ways.

“Hey. Look at me.” Jamie tilts my chin and offers a smile. “Hiding who you are from those you love is no way to live.”

“Sometimes it is the only way to stay safe.”

“I know.” He kisses my cheek. I lean into the touch of his lips, seeking sanctuary from my worries. “But you are safe. I promise.”

“What will I say?”

Jamie takes my hand and squeezes. “Let’s save the time travel stuff for another time. I think learning about time travel and werewolves in the same day would be a lot.”

I huff. “I would imagine so. What if they panic?”

Jamie points to the window. Outside, Arlo gives a cheery wave. “Then Arlo will wipe their memories of the event, and it’ll be like it never happened.”

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