Page 87 of Taming of a Wolf

I try to speak, but all that escapes is a pitiful little gasp.

Jamie’s rejecting me. My mate is rejecting our bond.

“You don’t mean this.” My voice is barely louder than a whisper.

Sniffling, Jamie pulls the necklace over his head.

What can I say? How can I convince him to give us a chance, that it’s all right to put himself first? A lump aches in my throat.

Jamie takes my hand, fingers trembling. “Take it. Go home and be with your family. I won’t force you to stay here anymore.” He presses the necklace into my palm.

“Youaremy home.” I grip his hand tight, desperate to keep him here with me. “You are my family. Do not send me away. Please.”

Jamie’s mouth shakes, and he wipes away tears as he tugs his hand free.

My heart cracks to pieces in my chest. I’d fall to my knees and beg if I thought it would change his mind, but the devastation in those watery blue eyes tells me all I need to know. He’s made his choice, and it wasn’t me.

A broken sound I didn’t know I was capable of falls from my lips. The pain has me folding in on myself as my very heart itself feels as if it will shatter.

Our mate doesn’t want us,my wolf howls, and the pain brings me to my knees.

My gasps turn to snorts and pants as the pain morphs to a fury that burns me from the inside out. Claws burst from my fingertips, carving into the floorboards. No. No, no, no! My berserker is coming out, and I can’t control him.

“A-Anders?” Jamie’s heart races fast in my ears. He’s scared.

“Get back,” I snarl, voice deep and distorted. My body grows, clothes straining before they tear to threads. A red haze falls over my eyes. Thick fur sprouts all over my body. I’ve got to get out of here before I hurt him.

“Anders, wait! I’m sorry. I’m so sorry!” He reaches for me, and my eyes latch onto the veins in his wrist. I imagine them bursting beneath my fangs, how sweet his blood would taste as it fills my mouth, the crunch of his delicate bones.

“Get back!” I roar through my fangs, and Jamie scrambles across the room, face pale and eyes wide and damp. He smells so sweet. I want to tear him apart and devour him piece by piece…

I charge, rushing past him toward the window. Glass shatters, cutting into my flesh as I hurl myself from the bedroom. The wind roars in my ears, whipping my fur back. I land on myclawed paws, shaking the earth. Drawing in a lungful of air, my mouth salivates as I catch the scent of prey nearby. Human prey. I push myself onto my back legs, claws scraping the ground as I prowl from the alley, shoulders brushing along the walls.

There they are, across the road. A man and woman argue, their shrill voices hurting my ears. They haven’t seen me yet. Licking my lips, I drop to all fours and lope toward them. The woman’s perfume makes my mouth water. She will taste so sweet.

Something moves behind me. My nose burns, making me growl. Suddenly, an immense weight bears down upon me, forcing me to the ground.

“Easy there, Anders. I’ve got you.” A witch I vaguely recognize stands over me. I snarl, hungry for his blood. If I kill him, the stink of magic will go away.

The witch’s face pinches in pity. “Shit. There’s not much time left. I must get you to your brothers.”

With a snap of his fingers, the portal bursts open, the light blinding me. My paws are ripped out from beneath me as the portal pulls me toward it. I drive my claws into the concrete, but I’m not strong enough to fight the portal’s magic as it draws me in.

White light obscures everything I know.

Chapter 23

Jamie

When I wake up,there’s an Anders-shaped hole in my chest.

Tears dampen the pillowcase as images torment me of Anders being hunted down by the police and shot dead, hurting himself or others, running off into the wilderness never to be found.

He dropped my gran’s necklace when he went berserk. It’s all I have to remind me he was here at all. I touch the necklace against my chest, eyes stinging.

There’s a howling in my soul. My wolf is mourning the other half of his heart. I want to howl out all my anguish until Anders hears me and comes home.

Chest aching, I force myself from the bed. I can’t focus on myself. Jace needs me. Falling apart isn’t an option. I dry my eyes as I leave the bedroom, trying to look like I haven’t been crying all night. In the kitchen, I crack some eggs in a bowl. Yesterday, Anders and I cooked breakfast together. I’d laughed when he cracked the egg too hard and got yolk all over his hand.

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