Page 31 of Taming of a Wolf

“What’s that, Anders? Oh, okay. Let me show you where we keep that!” Jamie whirls me around and shoves me toward his office. In seconds, he crams me in it and locks the door. “What is going on? Is this some weird ulfhednar thing?”

I pant through my fangs and make myself breathe in his scent. To my relief, the rage begins to fade. My claws become blunt, and so do my fangs. My muscles shrink back to their normal size. The fur growing across my body retracts below my skin.

“Anders,” Jamie snaps.

I growl at him. “All wolves from an Alpha bloodline tend to be stronger than regular wolves, but this power comes with a cost.”

“What is this cost? It had better not involve you ripping my employees’ limbs off.”

Collapsing into his desk chair, I glower at the floor. I don’t like his harsh tone, a reminder that I have disappointed and upset him. “We risk becoming berserkers. We’d lose control of ourselves and become beasts capable of great and terrible destruction.”

Jamie’s face pales. “Is there a cure?”

“The only thing that can cure a berserker’s rage for good is by claiming his fated, or chosen, mate. We would have to exchange bites.”

Jamie’s mouth falls open. “O-oh…” He rubs the back of his neck, his cheeks reddening. “So, if we, uh… bit each other, then you’d be okay?”

“Aye, but—”

“—but you’re not staying.” There’s no accusation in his voice, but his words hit me like one. “Because this is temporary, like we’ve agreed, and mating would complicate things.”

I hesitate for a moment, willing to say anything to save his feelings. “True.”

Jamie worries at his bottom lip. Have I hurt his feelings? Before I can sniff him to parse how he feels, Jamie asks, “So what can we do instead?”

I shrug. “Being around you is helpful. You’re my mate. Your scent is calming. For now, that could be enough.”

Jamie eyes me hopefully. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. Unmated wolves are most at risk of going berserk when we’re overwhelmed or angry. We wolves are very possessive, and we do not take kindly to anyone touching what is ours.”

“So that’s what triggered you.” Jamie huffs a laugh. “Anders, Bailey is just a friend. They’re dating Jess. They aren’t interested in me. Honestly. So can you cool it and try to get along with my employees?”

“Aye.”

Jamie smiles. “Good.”

It seems I have convinced him I’m not a threat. But I know better. Until we’re mated, which will never happen, my wolf will be close to the surface. It would be so simple if I could just claim him. My wolf craves to make him mine, to leave my mark upon his skin for all the world to see. Proof he wants me and no oneelse. I can’t. My only choice is to hurry and earn his necklace as fast as possible. Before I lose myself for good.

I follow Jamie from the office, vowing to keep my wolf on a tight leash.

“Anders, this is Bailey. They’re my barista. Bailey, this is Anders. He’s going to be working here. Hey, would you let go?” He wriggles, but I only crush him tighter to my body, glaring at this Bailey person.

Bailey cracks a grin. “Ooh. Mixing business with pleasure, Jamie?”

I growl.

Bailey snorts. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to steal your man. Nice to meet you, Anders. How’d you and Jamie meet?”

“We’re mates,” I declare.

Jamie coughs loudly and elbows my ribs, forcing me to let go. “He means roommates!”

“They were roommates!” Bailey gasps, then winks at Jamie and walks around him to the counter.

“Anders, what the hell?” Jamie glares at me. “You can’t just stake your claim on me in public like that!”

His words strike me in the chest. “Are you… ashamed of me?”

---