Page 57 of Taming of a Wolf

“Hunters. Ulfhednar heal our wounds, but cuts made by a silver blade never fade.”

I think back to our talk in the diner. So much of his anger toward his brother sounded like fear to me. He’s lost his parents, and he’s scared that unless he returns home, he’ll lose more of his family.

My fingers slip. I wince when a few drops of blood well to the surface of Anders’s cheek. “I’m so sorry.” The wound heals in seconds before my eyes. “Did that hurt?”

Anders shrugs. “I doubt there’s anything you could do that would hurt me, pet, even if you tried. You have a kind soul. I’ve always thought of kindness as a weakness, but you have defied my expectations. There is nothing weak about you. I’m glad your life has been easier than mine. My wolf does not like the idea of you knowing the hardships that I have.”

It’s like he read my thoughts. I don’t know how to tell him I have known plenty of hardships. Sure, we had sex, and we’re stuck together for now, but it doesn’t make talking about thepast any easier. Maybe I’ve never been cut by a blade, but I’ve known pain that stabs just as deeply. Pain I’ve learned to hide behind a smile, laughter, books, and coffee.

I cup his cheek and angle his head, shaving with care beneath his nose. He closes his eyes, a low rumbling in his chest that speaks to my wolf. I can feel how pleased he is, how content… How he trusts me not to hurt him. It makes my heart fluttery and light.

In a few minutes, Anders’s face is clean-shaven. He wipes away the remnants of the cream with a towel and considers himself in the mirror, running a hand over his smooth jaw.

“Okay?” I ask.

Anders’s brow furrows. “It’s… different. But I like it.”

I exhale my relief. “Really?”

“Aye. Feels like I can be a new person. Someone else.”

I’d like nothing more than for Anders to find a place here, maybe even with me, but I shove that thought away. Anders has made it clear his place here is temporary.

Closing my eyes, I try desperately to ignore the howl of my wolf, begging for him to stay.

After shutting down my computer, I stretch out my back as I leave the office, passing through the empty kitchen. Beyond the kitchen, the café is wonderfully busy. Every table is full. People work on their laptops, read while they sip their coffee, and chat with their friends. I can’t help but feel warm with pride. My gran created a space where people can come together.

Since Jace is suspended, he’s hanging out at the store this week. He’s also been helpful and brought people their pastries and drinks for us. I’d love for him to work in the shop once he’s older. I think he could be a natural.

I go to help fulfill drink orders behind the counter, and I spot a face I haven’t seen in a while. It’s Kieran Grove and one of my regulars, Amanda. I almost don’t recognize Kieran; he’s grown out a beard as red as his hair. Hell, he almost looks like a Viking warrior.

“Hey, Kieran!” I wave at him. “The usual?” He always has an iced matcha latte.

“Yes, please,” he calls. After he pays, I get his drink ready. It’s nice to see him and Amanda again. The last time I saw them, they’d been planning a trip to Iceland together after Kieran’s jerk of an ex dumped him. I hope they had fun.

I deliver Kieran’s drink, and by the time I’m back behind the counter, Kieran is talking animatedly to Amanda about something.

“Jamie, sugar-bear,” Bailey says as they prepare an espresso, “how about you and Jace come over to my place? It’s time for our annual LOTR marathon.”

“Oh yeah! I’d totally forgotten. I did promise Jace we should do something fun this weekend. Should we watchThe Hobbittrilogy too?” Obviously not in the same night. Those movies are long as fuck.

Bailey laughs. “Those movies are goofy as hell, but why not?”

Maybe the second trilogy isn’t a masterpiece, but it’s still quality entertainment.

Bailey grins impishly. “You should have Anders cosplay as Thorin.”

“Holy shit. I never noticed the similarities!” Maybe Anders is too tall to play the dwarf Thorin, but now that I think about it, he looks alotlike Richard Armitage. Cue the drooling. Yummy.“Maybe I can dress up as Bilbo, and we can be BagginShield.” It’s the ship name for Bilbo and Thorin. They were a popular ship on Tumblr back in the day, even though they were never canonized as a queer couple.

“BagginShield is cute,” Jess interjects, “but nothing will ever top the epic romance that is Sam and Frodo.”

“Never! Sam and Frodo will live forever!”

We laugh, and for the next hour, I fantasize about introducing Anders to some of my favorite films and hobbies.

“Tyr’s balls! It’s you!” Anders’s voice snarls.

I jolt out of my thoughts. Anders looms over Amanda and Kieran’s table, body taut with tension, and anger is rolling off him in waves as he glares at Kieran. What is going on? How does Anders know Kieran? The fear blanching Kieran’s face makes my stomach lurch.

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