Page 68 of Wolf's Prize

“I am turned, not born. I have not lived my whole life as a wolf as you and the others have.”

Gaharet’s dark gaze bored into him. “Aimon, your abilities are as sharp as any of us. Your wolf is strong, your senses keen, and I have taught you everything I know. Do not doubt yourself. You have survived while others have fallen. You are no less in my eyes because you were not born a wolf.”

Heat suffused his neck. Gaharet believed him equal to the rest of the pack? Wolves Gaharet had grown up with, had known since childhood?

“And the others?”

“If they believe you lacking, then they are wrong and have underestimated you. Use it to your advantage.” A heavy weight lifted from his chest. “But you must bear witness to that meeting. One of the others may have learned something useful. We have yet to find a way to rid ourselves of our affliction to wolfsbane and silver.”

“Constance could not help us?”

Gaharet sighed, a heavy sigh with the weight of responsibility behind it. “According to her, the only cure is to not be a werewolf.”

“All our plans to free Ulrik will come to naught without some way to circumvent them.”

“Agreed. And we can expect Renaud to continue to make full use of our weaknesses.”

Aimon grunted. “I am beginning to wish we had taken Ulrik’s suggestion and killed Renaud when we had the chance.”

Gaharet grimaced. “It may yet come to that.”

“If the alliance between Lothair and Renaud deteriorates further, Lothair may yet save us the trouble.”

Gaharet grinned. “We can only hope.”

They turned as Kathryn approached, and Aimon assisted her into her saddle. He mounted his own horse and gathered his reins.

Gaharet moved to Kathryn’s side. “You are one of us now, Kathryn. No longer are you alone with this. If you have questions about your training, about anything, do not hesitate to ask Aimon. For his part, Aimon will arrange so you can spend time with Erin, as much as we can manage without endangering either of you.”

Gaharet tugged on his beard. “There is something else to consider. Aimon and I have a deeper connection than the others because I turned him—my saliva mixed with his blood.”

“We do?”

“A part of me is in you, Aimon. And a part of Kathryn’s attacker will be in her. You both have a connection to your maker.”

Aimon growled. A connection with the person who attacked her? Had killed her aunt and betrayed them all? Betrayed them still?

“It will be much more subtle for you, Kathryn, because you have remained dormant and unknown to the pack for so long, but it will be there. When you meet the others, which will happen in time, if you feel anything—a sense of recognition, a familiarity, a connection with any of them—you need to tell us, tell Aimon.”

Kathryn nodded. Aimon nudged his horse closer. He reached out and placed a comforting hand on her arm. Her eyes sought his. His resolve firmed. He would keep her as far away from the others as he could, for as long as he could.

“Can he sense me? Track me through this connection?”

Aimon raised his eyebrows at Gaharet. Could he? Could Gaharet track him?

Gaharet shook his head. “No. I cannot track Aimon any more easily than I track the others.”

Some of the tension eased from Aimon’s shoulders.

“You are safe with Aimon,” said Gaharet. “He will take good care of you. Trust him. And as frustrating as it is, listen to him when he tells you something is not safe. Now we have found you, we do not want to lose you.”

Aimon nodded at Gaharet and turned his horse toward the trail.

“Keep her safe, Aimon.”

Aimon urged his horse from the clearing and into the forest, Kathryn following close behind. Would her connection to her maker draw her to the traitor? Despite Gaharet’s assurances, Aimon was not so certain of his standing in the pack. And if Kathryn had a connection to one of the other wolves, would she choose him or Aimon?

His hackles rose, and he growled, his wolf snarling in his mind. His horse pranced about, unsettled.

---