Page 16 of The Wolf

He approaches the bed and sits down by my side, caressing my naked thigh to comfort me. “Baby, for everyone’s sake, I can’t have you there. It would be too distracting for me. Trust me, it’ll be the most helpful when I know that you’re safe and sound here.”

“I won’t be safe or sound if you get hurt, either way! You die, I die, remember?”

“Exactly. Keeping myself alive means keepingyoualive so you have nothing to worry about—Iwon’tget hurt.”

And I’m crying. “Alex, we didn’t even have any time yet!”

His arms wrap tightly around my waist, pulling me closer, while I sob into his chest.

“We will have plenty, I promise,” he declares with a hoarse distortion in his voice, burying his snout in my curls.

He cuddles me for a while longer before I get coherent enough to try to think of other ways to go about it.

“What if I turn?” I mumble, craning my neck to look at him.

That’s something that has been on my mind since the other day. And although the idea of sucking blood repulses me, I’d be willing to make that sacrifice.

“What?” He frowns. He doesn’t have eyebrows in this form, but I just know he’s frowning at me right now.

“Into a vampire. Penny can bite me, right? That way you won’t have to worry about me and I could help. I mean, I know I might stink to you, but—”

Shaking his head, he cuts me off. “First of all, vampires have the most weaknesses among all supernatural beings. I’d still be worried.”

“They are immortal,” I object.

“Only as long as they are lucky. It’s not a difficult task for a skilled hunter to kill a vampire, and it’s even easier for the rest of us.” His argument makes too much sense to try to dispute it. “Second, you aren’t able to change now that we’re already bonded.”

“Well, then maybe I can become a witch?” I quickly propose.

“No, you have to be born of a witch, and Farah is certain you don’t have any magic powers.”

“How can she be sure? My mom was only fostered by Nancy.”

“She tried to trace your roots to the Celtic tribe of witches, but with no luck.”

Ah, of course, they looked into that.

“So, I’m completely useless, is what you’re saying—just some peasant white girl next to Your Babylonian Majesty!”

“Actually, you come from the long lineage of royal bloodline,” he tells me with a trace of humor twinkling in his eyes. “One of your earliest known ancestors that could be identified was a notable Scottish princess from the 10thcentury, known for her archery skills and fiery brave spirit, similar to yours.” He flashes me a little smirk. “You’re also distantly related to Mary, Queen of Scots.”

“Huh.” I blink repeatedly. “Alex, that’s not just some news you sprinkle on someone like that! It’s completely insane!”

“I’m sorry, I’m not the best at these things. Farah is happy to walk you through everything she discovered.”

I know he’s not the overly emotional or sentimental type and maybe he completely lacks a tact… I still think he’s cute, though.

“That’s fine. It’s not important right now.” I remind myself what the discussion was about. “Can’t I sell my soul to the devil for superpowers or something? Because I’d do that for you.”

“Well,theDevil you speak of lives in the Veil with us if you want to talk to him,” he replies as if what he’s saying is completely normal. “But your soul is alreadymine,” he adds darkly, dragging his tongue across the length of my neck where his mark is.

“When you saydevil, you mean…”

“The Leviathan,” he discloses, but I don’t think I fully comprehend the meaning of his words. “And even if you become the most powerful force, I still don’t want you anywhere near the danger.”

I manage to wiggle away, glaring at him. “Then what am I supposed to do? Sit here and wait with no job to do while you all go to war? You’ve ripped me away from my life—”

“Your life wasn’t truly yours, now was it?” he interjects, and he’s no longer cute with that nasty tone.

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