Page 41 of Taming of a Wolf

Jess smirks. “Uh-huh. The blood pouring from your nose really screams, ‘I got this.’”

I growl and wipe my nose.

“I think you look badass,” Bailey chimes in, smiling sweetly as if they hadn’t just pinned down a big brute of a guy. “Come on, big guy. Let’s get you home to Jamie.”

I hang my head and grunt, too worn down to muster any of my usual confidence.

Humans just came to my aid, and I let them help me, and now I’m going home to Jamie bloodied and bruised.

Odin’s beard, can tonight get any worse?

Chapter 11

Jamie

“Those bastards did anumber on you, huh, puppy dog?”

Anders grimaces at me as I hand him his furs. Jess and Bailey rode home with him but went their own separate ways at my apartment door.

I’m relieved they looked out for him, even if I want to beat up the assholes who hurt him. Or my wolf does. He’s restless and wants to hunt down the witches or mages or whatever Anders called them. “Are these witches going to give you any more trouble?”

“Not if I stay on my best behavior.” Anders shrugs on the black furs, and before my eyes, his broken nose stops flowing blood, and his bruises fade to fair skin.

“So, the rules are no exposing humans to the paranormal world, and you’re to go to some agency or something?” My stomach flips. “Wait, but you exposed that you’re ulfhednar to Jace and me. Can you get in trouble for that? Can we?”

“You and the lad are of an ulfhednar lineage. You should be fine. As for the agency, I’ll go whenever I have time.” He setshis nose with a nasty cracking sound that makes me wince. “I’m fine, pet.”

He sure doesn’t look fine. In fact, I’ve never seen him so downtrodden. Anders can barely meet my eyes and glowers down at the floor. I join him at the edge of the bed. As I recall those wounded puppy dog eyes, my heart sinks. I should have been there, but I couldn’t leave Jace.

“Sorry I wasn’t there.” Before I can stop myself, I lean in and kiss his cheek.

Anders’s fair skin colors adorably. “I should have been able to fight them off.” He drops his gaze to the floor. “I failed to defend my honor. You must be ashamed of me.”

Bumping my shoulder into his, I say, “Hey. I’m not ashamed of you. Why do you think that?”

Anders rolls his shoulders morosely but still doesn’t meet my gaze.

“I’m not, Anders. I promise.”

Those wary green eyes look at me at last, brightening with hope. “Truly?”

Ugh, my heart. I hate that he can even think that. “The opposite. I… I really like spending time with you, Anders.”

Surprise softens Anders’s sharp features, makes him look young and vulnerable. “You do?”

I laugh, then hop right up and straddle his knees. His pleased little growl makes me smile as I lace my hands behind his head. “I really do. My question is why don’t you believe it?”

Anders wets his lips and looks behind me at something on the wall. Leaning in, he props his chin on my shoulder, wrapping those big, strong arms around my back. As he squeezes me to him, he mumbles, “Because most would rather have my brother than someone like me.”

“What do you mean?”

“Someone who isn’t good enough to be an Alpha.” He says the words so softly I almost don’t hear them. “Someone who couldn’t even win a fight without his furs.” Bitterness floods his voice. “Someone who acted the fool at your bookshop. How could you not be ashamed of me?”

I’m quiet as his words sink in. Anders gives off such a confident air to the point of arrogance, but beneath all that bluster is someone with deep insecurities, someone who doesn’t feel like he’s good enough. His jealousy toward Bailey this morning makes more sense.

“Hey…” I run my fingers through his hair. A pleased growl escapes him even as he jerks away from the touch. “Look at me, puppy dog.” I take his face between my hands and force him to look at me. He scowls at me, but I can see the little cracks in his armor in those wounded eyes. Am I crazy for thinking he looks adorable when he’s mad? Because he does. “I don’t know who your brother is, and I don’t care. I likeyou.And yeah, you got your ass whooped. So? Just means I can take care of you afterwards.”

He glowers in the face of the sunny smile I give him. “Don’t need anyone to take care of me. I can heal.”

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