Page 70 of Taming of a Wolf

Tomorrow is the worst day of my life. The one I dread the most every year.

How could I forget? I’ve been so distracted that it completely slipped my mind.

Trying to fight down the urge to bolt from the bed, I curl onto my side away from him.

“Jamie? Are you well?”

I nod, trying to breathe. “Just… just tired. Keep reading. Please.”

“Very well.” Anders continues to read. He stumbles over words but keeps on going, then pauses with a frustrated sigh. “What in Tyr’s balls? Jamie, what is this word? Jamie?”

I screw my eyes shut.

How am I going to get through tomorrow without falling apart?

Chapter 18

Anders

When I wake withJamie curled up beside me, all I want to do is lie in bed all day with him and never leave. I may have lost my pack, but if I hadn’t been exiled, I might never have met him.

Leaning in, I nuzzle my nose into his neck and breathe in his scent. Waves of calm wash over me, and my wolf, though dormant without my furs, rumbles in satisfaction. Our mate is perfect. It shames me that I ever thought of leaving him. I must make things right.

I will claim him. Soon.

“Pet? Wake up. Jace will need breakfast soon.”

Jamie’s back is to me. In the quiet, I realize his breathing is uneven, and his body is far too tense. He’s awake, so why isn’t he leaping out of bed with his usual energy? His scent shifts, and sadness clouds his sweetness.

“I, uh… just need a minute, okay?” His voice is shaky and subdued.

“What’s happened?” I touch his shoulder. “Jamie, what’s—”

He twists his shoulder, jerking out of my touch. The ache of his rejection feels like someone struck me in the chest. “Sorry.”Jamie’s voice shakes, and he sinks deeper beneath his blankets until just the top of his head is visible. “Need space.”

I don’t understand. Have I done something wrong? I don’t even know what to say. “Aye.” At a loss, I get out of bed. The cold floor gives my bare feet a shock. Outside the bedroom, the cold has spread throughout the apartment.

In the kitchen, I make us some coffee, preparing Jamie’s the way I know he likes. Surely he’ll want coffee. I can’t fathom what’s come over him.

Jace shuffles into the kitchen. “Morning,” he chirps.

“Morning,” I say, tousling his hair. “Orange juice?”

“Yes, please.” Jace hops up onto a barstool at the counter.

I pour my coffee into my mug, add sugar, then bring both our drinks to the counter.

Jace takes a big, refreshing sip. “What was it like going back to the past?”

Before I can answer, the bedroom door slams open. Both of us fall silent. Jamie crosses the room, head down, and goes into the bathroom without acknowledging either of us. The shower starts running. The ball of dread in my chest only expands, threatening to morph into a void that sucks me in.

Jace hangs his head, sighing.

“Not you too. What’s wrong?” I ask.

Worrying his lip, Jace says, “I don’t wanna talk about it. Sorry.”

What would Jamie keep from me? We tell each other everything. Don’t we?

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