Page 95 of Taming of a Wolf

Gunnar shakes his head. “Follow me.” He jerks a shoulder, motioning for us to follow, then breaks into a jog.

“I’ll be right behind you, enjoying the view!” Arlo singsongs, and a growl rumbles from Gunnar. A roar echoes over the trees, and my wolf howls within my soul. I need to hurry, now! Anders is in trouble. I’ve got to get to him.

The cold has numbed my throat by the time we arrive outside a big longhouse. Gunnar motions us onward, leading us past the house and into the woodlands beyond. Another roar shakes the forest down to the roots. It’s the most furious sound, and a whimper crawls up my throat. Something is wrong with Anders. Voices get louder and louder, and through the trees, three figures come into view. Two are men, both huge and blond and clad in wolf furs. The other is an older woman, also wearing furs.

They’re restraining a beast so hideous, so terrifying, it freezes me in my tracks. My heart sinks like a cold stone into my stomach as primal fear paralyzes me. The beast is a hideous conjoining of man and wolf as it towers on two muscular back legs, tail lashing at the air. With a swipe of an enormous, clawed hand, it bowls the older woman off her feet.

“Helga!” one of the men shouts, fear in his voice.

“Lyall, focus!” booms the other one. “Keep him restrained!”

Gunnar. Lyall. Then the big blond man must be…

Wulfric goes flying, back smashing against a tree. I’m not sure what cracks, the trunk or his spine.

“Anders, please, stop!” Lyall screams, clutching at Anders’s huge black-furred arm.

That thing is… Anders? Oh god. What’s happened to him? As the beast throws back its head and roars, making my ears ring, blazing green eyes set their sights on me. Eyes so familiar, I can’t deny the truth.

I’m too late.

Anders has become a monster, and I don’t know how I can get him back.

Chapter 26

Anders

A red haze offury falls over my eyes. It feels like I am a passenger in Jamie’s car, watching through a window in horror at my own actions. Against my will, I lash out. First at Helga, then at Wulfric. Wulfric’s bones crack. His blood hits the air and makes my mouth salivate.

Why am I doing this? Stop! Please, stop!

Lyall screams, “Anders, don’t!” His hand looks so tiny as he clutches at my arm. Oh, how his fingers tremble. How sweetly they’d crunch beneath my fangs. How his blood would water my tongue, quenching this thirst that’s burning in my throat.

Another scent washes over me, tugs at my mind. Mate. My roar sends birds fleeing from the treetops as I whirl toward Jamie. As our eyes meet, my stomach lurches. Jamie’s sweet face is bone white, eyes impossibly wide, and the scent of fear rolls off him in waves.

My mate is terrified… because of me.

“A-Anders,” Jamie says, voice breaking. “Please, stop. Just listen to me.”

Jamie is here. He came for me. Joy tempers my rage. A whimper of sweet relief rises from my chest. Gods above, how I missed him. I thought I’d never see him again after he…

After he broke my heart. Rejected me.

Fury burns anew in my veins. A growl rumbles up my throat.

“Jamie, get out of here!” Lyall shouts, tugging my arm. Trying to pull me away. To separate me frommine.

My twin screams again, this time in anguish. His bones crunch just like I knew they would, the sound musical. Blood gushes onto my tongue, and I slurp it down like a starving beast. It’s not enough. Why aren’t I sated?

“Anders, no!” Wulfric bellows.

My twin’s howls of anguish pierce my ears.

Oh gods. Lyall. I am so sorry. I can’t stop. I can’t!

Snarling, I throw Lyall away from me. Gunnar shoves Jamie behind him. How dare they come between me and mine? No one is taking Jamie from me!

Jamie gasps. “Wait, everyone get away from me! Quickly!” Panic spikes his scent. They’ve scared him. Unacceptable!

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