Page 61 of Taming of a Wolf

I shove aside my plate, my appetite diminished. “For damn good reason.”

“Oh? Tell me, then! Kieran’s a good guy.”

I snort. “Hardly. He has my brother charmed, but I never liked him. He’s going to trick them all into thinking he’s one of them, and then he’ll betray them.”

Jamie groans and leans on the counter, tugging his fingers through his hair. “Anders, you’re better than this. You’re a good person.”

Am I really? I’m good to him. I would never dream of being cruel to Jamie. “That isn’t true. Others would tell you I’ve been the villain in their story. My brother. Kieran. Anyone who has threatened my pack. Certainly the lovers I’ve kicked out of my bed.”

Jamie swallows, his heart racing faster in my ears. “Are you going to be the villain in mine?”

I meet his gaze sharply, alarmed he’d ever think that I’d hurt him.

“Am I going to lose you to this obsession for revenge?”

The barstool creaks as I rise. Jamie takes a step back against the wall as I cage him in. Reaching out, I take his chin in my hand and make him meet my gaze. I need him close, need him to understand. “The only time I’ll ever be the villain in your story, James Sullivan, is when you need me to be. Say the word, and I’ll unleash Hel herself upon your foes.” My gaze lands on the necklace against his chest. “Jamie, I need to check in on my pack. I need to be sure Kieran isn’t planning anything.”

Jamie’s eyes widen. “Anders, I don’t like this.”

“I won’t do anything rash. If it’s as I’ve feared and the pack is in chaos, I would need to plan my next move.”

Jamie closes his hand around the necklace. “And you’d come back?”

I hesitate, suddenly finding it near impossible to refuse him. It wasn’t long ago I would have thanked him for his hospitality and left without a second thought. Now…

“You want me to come back?”

Jamie’s lips part, but he takes a moment to reply. “I mean, sure, but only if you want to. Your home is there. Your family. Everything that’s familiar to you. Why would you want to come back to New York, of all places?” Jamie laughs softly, but his wounded eyes contradict his attempt at humor.

“I wouldn’t be coming back to New York, Jamie. I’d be coming back toyou. Wherever you may be. In the past, present, future. It does not matter to me.” Jamie tries to look away, but I capture his face in my hands. “Never doubt the way that I feel for you. You are mine, and I am yours. I crossed time and space to find you, and I’ll be damned before I let you go. Trust in our bond. Trust me and the depth of my feelings for you. Can you do that?”

I’ve never meant any words more. For so long, I lived in the darkness of my brother’s shadow, never feeling good enough. When Jamie came into my life, he brought the sunshine with him. Day by day, he’s challenging my deeply held beliefs. He’s changing me into someone else, someone far better than the monster I was before. My world is a brighter, better place because of knowing him.

“Now, answer me. Do you want me to come back?”

“Yes. Of course I do.” Jamie squeezes my hands.

A smile spreads across my face, but it trembles. Jamie wants me to stay, but what if my brothers need me? Torn in two, I grip his hands like he’s an anchor in stormy seas. “I will see how thevillage fares, and then I will return with news. How does that sound?”

Jamie holds my gaze and nods. “O-okay, Anders. I will. Just don’t take too long, okay?”

I kiss his fingertips. “I won’t, not longer than a few hours. I swear this to you.”

With trembling fingers, Jamie removes the necklace and hands it to me. “Take good care of it.”

“You have my word.” I pocket the necklace.

“What?” a wavering voice whispers behind me.

When I turn, Jace has come out of the bathroom, hair shiny and damp. His eyes are wide and glistening, his little mouth slack. “You’re… leaving? But what about my school presentation? You promised you’d help me.”

The hurt in his voice twists like a knife in my chest. Going to him, I kneel so I can look him in the eyes. His fists are clenched, his lip trembling as he glares at the floor. “It is only temporary. I will return in time for your presentation, lad. I promise.”

“Yeah, right.” Jace pushes me away, and I’m surprised by the ache that throbs in my chest. “What’s the matter with us? Everyone always leaves!” Rubbing his eyes, he runs into the bedroom and slams the door.

Swallowing what feels like an egg in my throat, I hang my head. “What does he mean?”

Jamie sighs behind me. Turning, I find him hugging himself, eyes downcast. “Before you… nobody I dated stuck around. I’d be careful to really get to know a guy before introducing him to Jace, but no matter how sure I was or how great things were going, the relationship would fall apart. Jace really liked my last boyfriend, Tim. He was a great guy, but things didn’t work out. Jace was crushed.”

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