Page 73 of Taming of a Wolf

Kevin’s parents go and whisper to their bratty child. Kevin stomps his foot. “But this is stupid! Why couldn’t I go beforehim?” He glares at Jace. The poor lad is red-faced, tears bright in his eyes.

“I raided the shores of Francia.” The class loses interest in Kevin’s antics and turns their attention to me, just like I’d hoped. “I’ve sailed endless blue seas, roamed scorching deserts, and fought many foes.”

Jace looks up, wide-eyed with intrigue. “Really?”

“Tell us more!” a little lass calls.

My confidence grows as I answer questions and tell the pups all about my time. Even the adults look fascinated. Jamie is finally smiling as he watches me. I get so carried away with my stories that the teacher clears her throat and says, “Thank you so much, Anders and Jace. Unfortunately, we are out of time, but this was wonderful!”

The class claps for us as Jace and I go and stand next to Jamie. Jamie squeezes my hand and bumps his shoulder against mine.Thank you, he mouths, appreciation softening his face.

I squeeze back. “My pleasure,” I whisper.

Anything to make the lad happy.

Anything for Jamie.

After a brief lunch break for the kids, the presentations resume.

“Finally!” Kevin barks, stomping up to the front of the class. Jamie’s hand tenses in mine, and I stroke his knuckles soothingly. To the class, Kevin announces, “I’m going to be doing a presentation on the history… of snails!”

“What are snails?” I whisper to Jamie.

Haughtily clearing his throat, Kevin begins to drone on about snails while images flash on the white board. It turns out snails happen to be small creatures of some kind with a hard shell. While at first I’m interested in learning about these strange little things for the first time, ten minutes later, I’m yawning so hard my jaw pops.

A girl suddenly exclaims, “This is boring! Bring back the Viking!”

Kevin’s face goes red.

“Yeah,” chimes in a boy with glasses, “I wanna hear more about epic battles!”

“That’s enough,” the teacher says. “Let Kevin continue.”

Kevin throws down his papers and storms from the classroom, slamming the door behind him. His parents rush after him, leaving the teacher to approach the children who upset Kevin and reprimand them.

Jace frowns. “That was mean…”

“The little lout deserves it,” I grumble, and Jamie elbows me.

“Don’t be rude, puppy dog.”

Jace furrows his brow as he suddenly rushes out of the classroom, making Jamie and me rush after him. Outside, Kevin is sniffling as his parents escort him to their car. Kevin’s mother gets in the driver’s seat while his father sits beside her.

Before Kevin can get in, Jace calls out, “Hey, Kevin!”

Kevin’s shoulders hunch up toward his ears, his fists clenching. He glares at Jace through wet red eyes. “What do you want?”

Jace hesitates, worrying his lower lip. “I… I liked your presentation. I didn’t know anything about snails until today. It was interesting.”

Pride glows warm in my chest. Jace is a kind lad. I can’t say I would have been as kind to the boys who’d picked on me as a pup. It’s good that he’s already so much better than I am.

“Shut up,” Kevin snaps, making Jace jump. “I don’t care what you think! What, you think you’re special just ’causesomepeople liked your presentation? You’re so annoying. I bet your mom and dad died just to get away from you.”

Jamie squeezes my hand so tightly it aches.

Jace stumbles back, eyes big and round. “Wha… what?”

“Hey,” I snarl, dropping Jamie’s hand and making for the brat, but Kevin slams the car door behind him. All I can do is watchthe boy who just hurt Jace get away. Damn it. I feel so bloody helpless. If he weren’t a child, I would have butchered him where he stood for such a callous remark. I’m almost afraid to turn around and see the devastation that’s surely on Jace’s face.

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