Page 65 of Wolf's Prize

They all left the cottage. Kathryn walked beside Erin along a trail that followed the little creek, lost in thought, glad of Erin’s suggestion. The fresh air, the whisper of a breeze in the trees and the gurgle of the creek flowing beside the trail soothed her frayed nerves. She now had an alpha and was part of a pack. Erin had come from the future, using a magical amulet of sorts, and talked of things Kathryn could not begin to comprehend. And thanks to her recounting of her attack, they had narrowed the traitor down to two men—Godfrey and Lance.

“Stay close, Erin,” Gaharet called from behind them.

Erin rolled her eyes. “I can’t wait for this training business to be over.” She hitched her thumb over her shoulder, jabbing it in Gaharet’s direction. “Mr. Overprotective is driving me crazy.”

Kathryn grinned. “Aimon said it took him three months.”

“Three months!” Erin came to an abrupt halt and spun to face Gaharet. “It’s going to take me three months?”

Gaharet shrugged. “It takes whatever time it takes. You and Kathryn should be able to help each other.”

“But three months?” Erin gave an exaggerated sigh. “Why couldn’t I have been born a werewolf? It would’ve made thingssomuch easier. This whole shifting, keeping form thing would come naturally, and I wouldn’t have to practice so much.”

Gaharet chuckled, shaking his head. “Not so. My father confined both my brother and I to the grounds of the keep for almost a year once because we struggled to maintain our form.”

“Really?” asked Erin, her eyes alight with curiosity. “Do tell.”

Gaharet grinned at her. “We were at an age where we had started to notice female werewolves. It only took a look, a smile or a hint of their scent, and we would transform and fight over her.”

“Was the girl impressed?” asked Erin.

Gaharet grinned and shrugged. “Not really. My brother and I spent more time as wolves than we did in human form that year. It was easier. And running around naked upset the servants.”

“I bet. Well, that makes me feel a little better.”

Kathryn stared at Gaharet. “I do not remember seeing wolves running about the keep grounds. Nor naked boys.”

“No, you would not have. We were under strict instructions, from both my father and my mother, to behave ourselves whenever you and your father visited. If I remember, the threat of punishment from my father merely goaded us. Our mother’s disapproval held more weight. Her tongue lashings were legendary. Neither D’Artagnon nor I wished to risk that. And of course, there was always the threat of Anne.”

Aimon chuckled. “I think we have all come up against Anne at one time or another.”

“She is rather formidable,” said Gaharet. “I think she may have even had my father a little intimidated.” He turned to Aimon. “Have you noticed she is different with the females?”

Aimon’s gaze flicked to hers, and Kathryn blushed. She turned away, and continued walking along the path, with the others railing along behind her.

“Yes, I have.” Aimon’s voice followed her.

She caught Erin’s eye.

“I think this is a story I have to hear about,” said Erin, linking her arm with hers. “When the boys can’t hear us.”

Kathryn smiled at her. She had made the right decision to join the pack.

The trail opened into a clearing, and Kathryn halted.

“How beautiful.”

A clear pool of water, bordered by moss-covered rocks and sheltered by trees, lay before them. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, sparkling off the water, and on the far side, water spilled from a rocky outcrop, creating a small waterfall that splashed into the pool.

Kathryn’s skin prickled with awareness, and she turned, catching Aimon’s heated gaze. Was he thinking of her in the pool? In her chemise? Him naked? Her breathing hitched, her core clenched, and her wolf hovered close. If either Erin or Gaharet noticed, they said nothing.

“Why don’t you two go somewhere over there?” suggested Erin, waving her hand at the other side of the pool. Gaharet’s expression darkened. “Just far enough away so you can’t hear us talk. Kathryn and I have things to discuss. You two should put your heads together and come up with a way to get Ulrik out of Langeais Keep. We owe him.”

Gaharet growled. Erin gave Gaharet a long-suffering look, and Gaharet sighed. “Very well, but do not leave this clearing. I want to be able to see both of you at all times.”

Kathryn hid a smile behind her hand. Erin chafed at the restrictions as much as she did.

“I guess I don’t have to worry about introducing you to Aimon?” said Erin, finding a comfortable spot in the sun as the men moved away. “I can see why you were interested in him. He’s gorgeous. And about the right age for you, too.”

---