Page 34 of Taming of a Wolf

“Hey, I didn’t mean—” Jess begins, her wide-eyed face etched with concern.

“Stay back,” I snarl at her. “Do not make me tell you again!”

Fear widens her eyes, and, strangely, I want to take the moment back. My father’s voice rings in my ears. I’d asked him once why Wulfric would be Alpha even though I was older and stronger. He’d told me,An Alpha is chosen for more than the strength of their arms, Anders. He or she must be able to put the needs of others before themselves when necessary and never use their superior strength as a weapon against the weak.

Is this… regret I’m feeling now? Wulfric would never have intimidated a peasant for such a simple mistake. A wave of inferiority crashes over me, dragging me down to the blackest depths. Is it really any wonder Wulfric was chosen instead of me?

I do the only thing I can and run from the shop.

Chapter 9

Jamie

What in the helljust happened with Anders? At least he didn’t wolf out again, but still, he seemed pretty freaked-out.

Jess gawks at the door he fled through.

My wolf, his urges faint without my furs, is pushing me to pursue our mate and make sure he’s okay, but I’ve got to check on Jess. She’s a wounded party in this too.

“Hey, you okay?” I squeeze her shoulder.

“What bit him in the ass?” She looks as bewildered as I feel. “It looked like he panicked.”

“You know how it is. A new job is stressful.”

“You’re not the one he called a wench,” she grumbles. “Who even talks like that anyway?”

A Viking time traveler who is in over his head and out of his element. It’s a good thing he left his furs at home, or he might have shifted.

“I’ll talk to him, Jess. It won’t happen again.”

Bailey hurries over with a mop in their hands. “I’ve got this, Jess. You go and take care of the customers.”

It seems they’re okay. Anders completely blew his first impression with my friends. I just hope he can fix it. I rush past the line of customers and out the door, only to find Anders sitting hunched over on a bench, face in his hands. A twinge spasms through my chest seeing him so downtrodden. I want to give him one of my famous Jamie hugs—my friends always say I give the best hugs—but I don’t want to overwhelm him even more.

“Hey, puppy dog. You good?”

Anders growls, the sound very un-puppy dog of him.

“What happened back there? Jess didn’t mean to bump into you. It was an accident.”

“I know that,” he says, voice muffled through his hands.

Tentatively, I lower myself onto the bench beside him. I want to touch him but ball my hands into fists in my lap instead. “Then what was it?”

A sigh deflates his shoulders, bitter as the chilly October wind. “I don’t want humans touching me ever again.”

My breath catches. Again? My poor puppy dog. “It’s okay to set boundaries. We’ll all understand and do our best.” A sudden thought makes my stomach twist. “Is it okay if I touch you?”

Anders nods, and relief warms me.

“Can I touch you now?”

“If you like.” Anders makes it sound like he’s going to the gallows.

“It’s not about what I like. Do you want me to touch you?”

He sighs. “Must I really spell it out? Aye. Of course. So just do it already.”

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