Page 93 of Taming of a Wolf

“Got it!” Gunnar takes off past me, and I snap at his ankles, longing to chase him and rip into his flesh.

Gods, it is happening fast.

I’m not ready.

Where is my mate?

I want to see him.

To say goodbye.

One last time…

Chapter 25

Jamie

I slam on thebrakes and lurch from the car. Gulls cry, and the frigid river breeze numbs my throat as I run.Please let me be in time. Please!My lungs ache by the time I’m at the marina. He has to be here. There’s no way anyone would let a little boy just get a boat and sail away.

“But I have money!” a familiar voice protests.

My heart skips as I whirl around. Jace stands in front of a ticket booth, holding up a handful of cash.

“Sorry. No unaccompanied children are allowed on board any of our tours,” the ticket-taker says kindly but firmly.

“Jace!” I snap, both angry and relieved as I rush up to him.

At the crack of my voice, Jace winces, his shoulders hunching up to his ears. “Uh-oh…”

“Yeah. ‘Uh-oh.’” Grabbing his wrist on his uninjured side, I tug him away from the booth and toward the car. “What were you thinking?” I snap once we’re out of earshot of the lady in the booth.

Jace’s cheeks flush. “I was trying to find Anders.” His bottom lip wobbles. “You guys need to make up. You have to.”

My heart clenches. “I will.”

“Why did you two fight? Was it because of me?”

I can’t tear my gaze away from his cast, can’t let go of my guilt because if I’d just been there, Jace might not have gotten hurt. I was so focused on myself, lost in the love I’d found with Anders, that I’d forgotten about the promise I’d made to my parents. “No. I was the one at fault.” I swallow hard and kneel, gripping his shoulders. “I promised Mom and Dad I’d look after you, and I failed. I felt like if I’d been there instead of out with Anders, I could have helped you. I used my guilt as an excuse to push Anders away. I’m sorry if you felt like you were responsible.”

“We were finally a family again. You, me, and Anders. Do you… do you think Mom and Dad would be mad about that? Or sad? Like they think we’ve forgotten about them?”

I shake my head frantically. “No. No, of course not.”

Jace nods his agreement, making a determined fist at his side. “They always said they wanted us to be happy. Remember?”

That’s true. When I’d come out as gay to them, they’d both embraced me and told me that all that mattered was that I found someone who made me happy. And Anders didn’t just make me happy. Anderswasmy happiness.

“I do, but…” When my throat closes, speaking becomes difficult. “I was driving when they were killed. It’s m-my fault they’re gone.” Tears spill down my cheeks, and I hang my head so he can’t see. “I don’t deserve to be happy. Not when I took them from us.”

Jace puts his arm around my shoulders “It wasn’t your fault,” Jace says, voice shaking but full of sincerity that only makes me cry harder. “It was an accident. The doctors said so. Grandma said so. Mom and Dad would too, right?”

Hiccupping, I nod into his shoulder.

“Mom and Dad wouldn’t blame you. I know they wouldn’t.”

“Do you?” I choke out the words, suddenly feeling sick with fear. “Do you hate me, Jace? Do you blame me?”

Jace’s hesitation makes more tears fall. Of course he does. How could he not? I’d feel the same if I were in his shoes.

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