Page 13 of Taming of a Wolf

I snort. “In New York City? Not likely… Although we have a few large parks. I’ll take you in the morning after Jace has gone to school.”

Anders grins. “I can hardly wait. Your wolf will be as beautiful as you are.”

Nerves ripple through my stomach. I woke up this morning thinking I was just a normal guy. Turns out, I’m ulfhednar. I have so many questions. Will it hurt? Are there any complications? Is it dramatic like in the movies?

I guess we’ll find out.

Chapter 4

Anders

I don’t sleep wellon Jamie’s sofa. It’s far too small, and my feet dangle over the edge. How can Jamie sleep with people all around him? The village back home was spread out, but here, I can hear every cough, sneeze, and bark of a dog from the floors above and below. Worse yet is the couple down the hall on their second—third?—round of sex for the night. The gods must hate me.

Normally, I can tune these sounds out, but I’m too restless. My wolf stirs, making my claws prick the cushions and my fangs sharp. He wants to be in the next room with Jamie. Our mate. I still can’t believe it. The ladies of fate must have it out for me to not only lead me to my mate but to make him the key to being able to return home. Mayhap Loki is controlling my fate and laughing at my expense.

When I open my eyes, the room has brightened. I managed to sleep, but not much. It’s a struggle to leave the sofa as my body cries out for more sleep.

“Jace, I’m ready!” Jamie barrels out of his room, arms flailing at the shirt caught over his head. “Hurry, we’ve gotta go to school!”

A snort answers him. The little lad sits at the counter, munching on something sweet-smelling in a bowl. “Been ready for, like, ten minutes.” He smirks proudly and puts his bowl in the sink.

“Who put sass in your cereal?” Jamie says with an amused smile. He jogs to the door. “Eat up, we’ve gotta go.”

He’s barely finished speaking by the time Jace is by the door. “Beat you to the car!”

Jamie sighs like he’s already exhausted.

I grin at him. “The lad’s keeping you on your toes, eh?”

“Tell me about it.” Jamie chuckles. “You can either wait here or come with us. We’ll go to the park after I drop Jace off.”

I rise, muscles cracking as I rotate my neck. “Grab your furs, pet. It’s time to show you who you’re meant to be.”

Jamie drives us in the metal horse—no, thecar, that’s what Jamie called it. Not a horse at all but a machine, whatever that is. It’s faster than a horse, louder too, and we sit inside instead of riding on top. I tried to climb on the roof, but Jamie yanked me down and made me get inside.

In any case, Jamie drops the lad off for his lessons, then drives us to some place called Inwood Hill Park. My wolf bristles beneath my skin as my mate’s sweet scent tugs at me, so potent in the enclosed space of the car. All wolves feel the urge to mateon the full moon, and although the full moon above is outshone by the sun, the urge is still so potent.

I’ve never liked the idea of soulmates. Oh, I know they exist, but the idea of needing someone, some so-called better half, has always terrified me. I understand why they’re important, but when I was a boy, I learned that having someone only means having someone to lose.

Father was never himself again after Mother died giving birth to Wulfric, the precious Alpha. Father changed, closed himself off even from us children. The softness Mother brought out in him died when she did. I’d do anything to avoid knowing that pain myself, even if it means leaving behind the man my wolf demands I mate with. Mate or not, Jamie is a tool. Nothing more or less.

No. I’ll earn his necklace and return home to challenge my foolish little brother.

There is no room in my plans for anything… anyone… else.

“Anders? Earth to Anders.” Jamie waves at me. “We’re here.”

I jolt out of my thoughts. “I heard you the first time,” I snap, shoving open the door. “Get your furs.” Once Jamie has retrieved the furs from the trunk and thrown his bag across his shoulder, I follow him farther into the park. We walk for a bit until we’re surrounded by trees and there’s no one else around.

The wolf pelt he carries is a darker shade of silver than his hair, mottled with brown, black, and white fur.

“You had better not be playing a prank on me,” Jamie says, his scent souring with unease.

“A prank?”

“You know, a joke. You’re not gonna make me wear these furs, close my eyes, then run off on me?”

“I once killed a traveling jester who tried to rob me. The only good jokester is a dead one.”

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