Page 66 of Wolf's Prize

Kathryn sat beside Erin, slipped her boots off, and dangled her feet in the cool water. She eyed the men sitting across the pond from them, deep in conversation. Every few moments, both Gaharet and Aimon lifted their gaze to her and Erin, but they did not appear to be listening.

“I brushed up against him when Comte Lothair summoned my father and I to Langeais Keep. I think he scented me then. Had he not, perhaps one of Gaharet’s other vassals may have come to the d’Louncrais Keep in time.”

“Because of Lothair’s bequeathing of the d’Louncrais estate? It’s a wonder one of them hasn’t already.” Erin smiled at her. “I’m so glad it worked out the way it did.” She shrugged. “If it hadn’t, I would’ve found a way to get you two together somehow. I would’ve nagged Gaharet until I got my way.”

Kathryn bit back a laugh, the thought of anyone having influence over Gaharet, amusing. Yet, Erin did. And she did not appear to find Gaharet at all intimidating. Were all women from her time like this, or was it only Erin? Kathryn liked it, liked her. She had from the moment she had met her, sensing a kindred spirit. Someone who did not, would not, quite conform to the standards expected of well-bred ladies. Someone like her.

“What is it like? Where you are from? Do you miss it?”

Erin frowned, her gaze straying to Gaharet. “Some things I miss. Coffee. Ireallymiss coffee. And chocolate. In time, I think the biggest thing I will miss is the freedoms women have there that they don’t have here. Being able to make my own decisions, have a career, a job, other than running an estate, embroidering stupid roses and making babies.”

Kathryn snorted. “I do not enjoy embroidery either.”

“And the clothes. What I wouldn’t kill for a pair of jeans.”

“Jeans?”

“Breeches. Where I come from, women can wear breeches if they want to.”

Kathryn’s eyes widened.

Erin laughed. “Does that shock you?”

“Yes. But I, too, would kill to wear a pair of these jeans. My father made many allowances for me. Wearing men’s breeches was not one of them.”

“Gaharet has promised he’ll have several pairs made for me, and I can wear them as often as I want. Just not in public.”

“Truly?” She glanced at Aimon. Would Aimon grant her such concessions? She lifted a lip in a scowl. Why did she need to ask him? He lifted his gaze to meet hers, and she tilted her chin up and stared him down. His brow furrowed.

Kathryn turned to Erin. “Can you arrange for several pairs of men’s breeches for me?”

Erin grinned. “Of course. I see no reason you can’t wear them, too.” She looked over at Aimon. “He might actually enjoy seeing you in them, but he probably wouldn’t like anyone else to. His wolf would likely react badly if another man, or wolf, looked too closely. Or, God forbid, tried to touch you.”

“Like earlier? When Gaharet reached for me?”

“Exactly.”

Kathryn cast her gaze at the men. They seemed absorbed in their conversation. She turned back to Erin. “Whydidhe do that?”

“It’s a wolf thing. Apparently. Gaharet did the same thing when I met Ulrik. It’s their way of saying hands off she’s mine or, as Ulrik explained it to me, I’m claiming her as mine and I will fight you to the death for her. A touch melodramatic, but nothing like a guy willing to fight for her to make a girl feel special.”

“Aimon did that for me? He was claimingme?” Her voice rose.

“Kathryn, are you well?” Aimon’s voice floated across the pond. He was on his feet, his hands clenched into fists, as he scanned the forest beyond them as though looking for a threat.

“Relax, Aimon. It’s fine.” Erin rolled her eyes at him. She turned to Kathryn, as a reluctant Aimon resumed his original position beside Gaharet on the mossy bank. “See what I mean?”

“But he has said nothing of this, or of a union between us,” she hissed. “Though we have…” She blushed.

Erin broke into a grin. “Good for you Kathryn. It took me too long to take that step, though I wanted to, and Gaharet made it quite clear he wanted to, as well.”

Kathryn looked down at her feet, splashing in the pool. “I kind of forced the issue. I disrobed in front of him and asked him to make love to me.”

Erin burst out laughing. Gaharet and Aimon looked up at them. Kathryn flicked her hair over her face to conceal her embarrassment.

“Let me guess. Anne. She had to have a hand in that.”

“Yes. She did. How did you know?”

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