Page 86 of Taming of a Wolf

Jace shakes his head. “Tired.”

“I’m sure you are. You were very brave.” Pride warms me.

A sweet smile lights up his face. “Really?”

Kneeling, I run my fingers over his soft hair. “Braver than most warriors I know.”

Jace yawns big and wide, making me chuckle. “Can I see Jamie before I sleep?”

“Of course.” Leaning down, I plant a kiss to his cheek. I don’t want to leave his side. All I want is to stay and watch over him in case he needs anything. “Sleep well, pup.”

Gods above, but I adore this little boy as if he were my own son. This cold heart of mine has only grown twice its size to fit how much I love Jamie and his little brother. They are my family, my pack.

“He okay?” Jamie is right outside the door, worrying his bottom lip.

“Tired but all right. He wants to see you.”

Jamie sweeps past me without another word, and all the warmth of seeing Jace turns cold in my chest. Why is he being so distant? To distract myself, I wash my face and brush my teeth, then head into our bedroom to change. By the time I’m dressed, the bedroom door opens behind me.

“Is the lad asleep?” I ask as I turn, only to freeze. Jamie’s looking at me in a way he never has before, eyes narrowed and lips in a tight line. The scent of anger pours off him. By the nine realms, what’s happened now?

“You taught my little brother how to throw a punch.”

It’s not a question. No blade is as sharp as Jamie’s words.

Oh Hel. What have I done? The ground feels unsteady beneath me as I fold my arms across my chest. “To protect himself, aye.”

Jamie rolls his eyes skyward. “You had no right.”

Shit. Damn it!

“I only wanted the lad to be able to stand up for himself!”

“And guess who he decided to hit at the party?” Jamie snaps. “Guess!”

“I don’t know! A frost giant? Maybe Odin himself?” My jests bounce right off him.

“Kevin. The brat who bullied him. He’s the reason Jace broke his arm, because Kevin shoved him down the stairs after Jace hit him.”

My heart drops into my stomach. Oh gods. “I… I’m sure Jace had his reasons.”

Jamie barks a harsh laugh. “Oh, I’m sure he did, but that’s not the point. I’ve always told Jace to get an adult if he needs help so shit like this doesn’t happen!”

“He’s ten! He’s not a toddler. Any child of mine will know how to fight back!”

“He’s notyourchild!” Jamie’s shout makes me flinch, but it’s his words that hurt the most, cutting me to the very core. I must look as devastated as I feel. Tears suddenly flood Jamie’s eyes. “He’s mine, and he got hurt because I wasn’t there to protect him.” The tears spill over despite Jamie’s best attempts to dash them away.

I’m moving before I can stop myself, my hands on his shoulders. “You can’t always be there, pet.”

“No.” Jamie untangles himself from my arms and backs away from me. “After our parents died, I promised Jace I’d protect him. I swore to myself he would always come first. I told my—my grandmother the l-last time I saw her alive that I’d take care of him.” Jamie heaves in a shuddery gasp as tears drip down his chin. “I let myself get distracted. I’ve been selfish.”

“Jamie…” I don’t know what to say, speechless as he falls apart right in front of me. “Jace didn’t get hurt because you put yourself first for once.”

But Jamie shakes his head, furiously wiping his face. “I can’t do this, Anders.”

Dread rises within me. “We can find ways to include Jace in our outings. We—”

“No. I can’t—I can’t be with you.”

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