Page 72 of Taming of a Wolf

“What does that mean?”

But Jace shakes his head. “Don’t wanna talk about it.”

I let it go, wrap his sandwich in foil, and hand it to him.

The bathroom door opens. Jamie’s hair is still wet. Why didn’t he bother to dry it? He’ll freeze outside. Then I see his eyes, bloodshot and wet, and my heart stops.

Jamie smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Sorry for taking too long.” He dumps his coffee into his thermos. “Let’s get going.” He isn’t fooling anyone with that fake casual tone.

It’s obvious to anyone that he was crying, or trying very hard not to. Is that why he spent so long in the shower? The sadness coming from his bond wasn’t especially heightened. Unless, mayhap, he was trying to hold back his tears?

By the gods. What has happened to him?

Rushing to the door, Jace grabs Jamie’s coat and hands it to him. “Come on, get your coat on.”

Jamie shrugs it on, sniffling. “Thanks. I’m super excited for your presentation, bud.”

“No,” I say, standing so swiftly my knee knocks into the table. “You can’t go anywhere today, Jamie. Not like this.”

He stiffens, brows furrowing. “I’ll be fine.” Finally, there’s something other than forced cheer in his voice. He’s pissed that I haven’t fallen for his act.

I barely strangle the snarl rising to my lips. “You’re staying home, Jamie. Do not make me chain you to the bed. You are in no state to—”

Jamie crosses his arms. “You’re my boyfriend, Anders. Not my—my father.” His voice catches, and the firm set of his lips trembles. “You don’t tell me what I can and can’t do.”

Jace looks worriedly between us. “Come on, guys, please don’t fight!”

I want to swing Jamie over my shoulder, carry him into our room, and lock him in until he tells me what in Hel’s name is going on.

“Anders.” Jamie’s shaky voice snaps me out of my rage. “I’m okay. Let’s just go.” And without another word, he throws open the door and storms out.

It feels like there are worms writhing in my gut as we arrive at the school. Jace insisted I get changed into my gear from my timeline, and he’s also wearing a tunic and a horned helmet. The armor feels heavier than it used to. I’ve become accustomed to the clothing of this time. “Ready, lad?”

Jace grins. “Yeah, let’s do this!” He leaps from the car and rushes toward the building. Chuckling at his enthusiasm, I follow with Jamie beside me. “Hurry up, guys!” Jace waves us over.

Jamie offers a quiet smile. “Coming, bud!” Once Jace disappears through the door, the smile falls off his face. Before I can take his hand and offer comfort to my mate, Jamie quickens his pace. I follow him through the halls, which are bustling with parents and their children. Inside Jace’s classroom, he runs up to greet his friends, most of whom are wearing unique costumes.

What was I nervous for? I can speak in front of pups.

Jamie gives Jace an encouraging pat on the shoulder, then goes to stand in the back. I follow as the woman I assume is the teacher stands before the class, welcoming everyone before the presentations begin. It takes a long time to get to Jace’s. Many students tell stories, some about these people called cowboys or astronauts who walked on the moon itself, and images flash across a big white board to accompany their stories.

“Next, Jace Sullivan!”

He leaps up and waves wildly at us, making me chuckle.

Clearing his throat, Jace addresses the class, reading from a paper he holds. “Today, I want to talk about these really fascinating people called Vikings. But I won’t do it alone. Please welcome Anders, a real, live Viking!”

Heat rushes up my neck when all the children look at me, excited whispers filling the room. Waving awkwardly, I go up to stand next to Jace. “Greetings, everyone. Blessings of Odin upon you.”

Practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, Jace says, “Vikings were seafaring warriors who traveled all around the world. Anders, where’s a really cool place you visited?”

When everyone looks at me, I suddenly don’t know what to say. “Well, I, uh—”

Someone yawns loudly. “Boring! That’s not a real Viking. They’re all dead. This isstupid.” Damn it. That’s the obnoxious boy who bullied Jace. I’d recognize the little shit anywhere.

Jace flinches, crumpling the paper in his fists.

“Kevin!” the teacher reprimands. “If you’re going to be rude, you need to go and wait outside. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson, please tell him not to be disruptive.”

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