Page 91 of Taming of a Wolf

I sit up, tugging off my boot and emptying it of water. “Why did you bring me here?”

Arlo tugs at my arm. “You haven’t got much time left. Staying among humans isn’t an option, not if we want to keep people safeandprotect our secrets. Being around your pack will help. Now, come on, up-up!”

I snort. “My pack exiled me, remember?”

Arlo rolls his eyes. “I do, but regardless of how you feel, your wolf will know his pack and should settle down long enough for a decision to be made. Isn’t that how those bonds of yours work?”

I rise, stumbling. “The only decision that will be made is whether I will be put down like a dog or you will rip my wolf from me with your magic.”

I’d rather die than lose Fenrir’s great gift or live without Jamie.

Arlo grimaces as if he dislikes the idea as much as I do. “Wolves from an Alpha bloodline can’t be soothed by pack alone? It has to be a mate to tame your berserker?”

“Aye. Pack bonds can help slow the process, but the stronger the wolf, the harder he or she is to control.” And considering my bonds with my pack are in tatters, there may truly be no hope for me to recover. But if today will be the last day I have with my mind intact, then I won’t waste it.

I’ve got too much to make up for. Walking upright is difficult, the beast within yearning to prowl on all fours, but I push myself to move. I’ve got to see my brothers. There is too much I have to say to them. “Coming, witch?” I snap.

With Arlo behind me, I walk the familiar path toward the village. Smoke rises from chimney stacks, and the wind carries the distant sounds of life as usual. As the huts come into view, I hold up an arm. “Wait here. They won’t take kindly to you just waltzing in. Let me announce your presence first.”

Arlo folds his arms, sparing the village a wary look. “I appreciate it.”

“Not doing it for your benefit,” I grumble, forcing myself to move faster toward the village. Gods, what if they refuse to speak to me? I’ve earned their ire, I know that without a doubt, but I want so badly for a chance to apologize.

Heart racing fast, I force my trembling legs to march toward the village. Wolves lope through the streets, and children runand play while their parents haggle at stalls. Wulfric’s longhouse is the easiest to spot as it is the biggest building in the village. My knees knock together as I take one step and then another toward my family home. Heads turn, and a lull falls over the streets until whispers fill the air around me. Eyes narrow as the peasants glare at me. Wolves growl. Parents tug their children close. I want to disappear into the ground but make myself hold my head high and continue onward.

I’m only ten paces from the longhouse when the door is thrown open. As Wulfric’s eyes lock with mine, they blaze with shock and then fury.

“Wulf?” Kieran appears in the doorway, but Wulfric shoves him back.

“Stay behind me,” Wulfric snarls, voice deep and throaty.

My heart sinks, and I try to get my tongue to move, but the damn thing feels fat and heavy.

Wulfric puts one hand on his axe. “Why have you returned?How?I banished you. You were never to come back!”

“Aye, that’s what banishment usually entails, isn’t it?” As Wulfric snarls at my sarcasm, I internally hit myself. Now is not the time to mouth off.

Footsteps come crashing toward us. “Anders!” Lyall bursts through the door, shoving past Wulfric. A smile lights up his face, but it quickly falls as Wulfric muscles past him.

“Stay away from him, Lyall,” Wulfric commands.

In the doorway behind them, Gunnar grips onto my aunt Helga’s shoulders.

The whole pack is here. This will make things simple, as I don’t have to seek them out individually, but also so much more complicated.

“What trickery have you brought upon my shores, Anders?” Wulfric asks. “Or should I just call you Loki?”

I snort. “You flatter me, but I am not here to trick you. I mean it.” My heart races until I fear it will burst from my chest. Where do I even begin? I owe them all an apology, but none more than Wulfric. I look my little brother in the eyes. “I was here a few days ago but kept my presence a secret.” At their startled looks, I quickly add, “I only wished to make sure all was well.”

Wulfric’s hand falls away from his axe. “You were here. Why didn’t you make yourself known then?”

Gunnar scowls. “You’ve fallen lower than we thought if you’re sneaking around like a craven, Anders.”

Lyall snaps, “Would you lot just hear him out?”

Painful memories of that day claw at me, reminding me of how alone I’d felt when I’d realized they’d forgotten all about me. “I wished to survey the village, not to fight. I thought for certain that things would have changed, and not for the better.”

“Because of me,” Kieran states, gripping onto Wulfric’s arm.

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