Page 79 of Wolf's Prize

“Brown. The wolf who attacked her had brown fur.”

“Well.” Edmond looked around the clearing. “That does not narrow it down at all.”

Aubert turned to his twin. “Rules out D’Artagnon.”

Edmond inclined his head. “Truly. I would not call his wolf brown. His fur is as black as Gaharet’s.”

Silence descended amongst them. Aimon waited and watched, his gaze flicking between Lance and Godfrey.

“So, Aimon,” said Godfrey, breaking the uncomfortable lull in their conversation. “How is it you came by all this information? The knowledge that Kathryn is one of us? Were you not supposed to be tracking Gaharet and his mate? Were we notallordered to stay away from the Beauchenes?”

“Why did you petition Comte Lothair for Kathryn’s hand in marriage?” countered Aimon.

Edmond shared a look with his twin. “Godfrey? You petitioned Lothair?”

“I have spent all week pouring over scrolls and texts, trying to find a way to circumvent wolfsbane, while Aimon has spent his time bedding the last female werewolf, and you questionme?”

“Godfrey is right,” said Lance. “I made it clear none of us were to approach the Beauchenes.”

Resentment flared in Aimon’s chest. “None of us were supposed to approach the comte either. You also petitioned Lothair for Kathryn’s hand in marriage, Lance. Would you care to explainyourself?”

Lance met his stare, unperturbed by Aimon’s accusation. “I made no secret of my intentions to ask for the d’Louncrais estate. You, however, have flouted a direct order from the pack. Perhaps you would care to enlighten us on why? And how you know of any petition to Lothair?”

Aimon calmed himself. Anger would not serve him now. He could not make a mistake and compromise Gaharet. Nor could they ever know he now answered directly to Lothair. “Very well. I caught her scent at Langeais Keep. I thought my nose confused by the stench of it, or a lingering effect of the wolfsbane. As Godfrey pointed out, I have not been a werewolf for long. I assumed I had it wrong. I planned to ride to the d’Louncrais estate, wait until the Beauchenes arrived, catch Kathryn’s scent again and confirm my error. Then I would be on my way, carrying out the tasks Lance assigned me.”

“I gather that is not what happened,” ventured Edmond.

“No. I was not mistaken. I approached Farren Beauchene with the truth of it, and he disclosed the circumstances of Kathryn’s turning. He knew of us but had kept his daughter unaware. She did not know we existed and thought herself to be cursed. Frightened, with no training, she had resisted her wolf for over a decade.”

Godfrey gaped at him. “Resisted her… That is not possible.”

“I assure you it is, and she has,” said Aimon, unable to keep his pride in her from entering his voice.

Shadows flitted in Lance’s gray eyes, and his lips lifted in a smile. “If that is the case, then she is quite a remarkable woman indeed.”

Chapter Thirty-Six

Kathryn slumped onto a stool and stared at the fire, her lips still tingling from Aimon’s kiss. He had said he loved her. That he would have loved her still had she not been a werewolf. She touched her fingers to her lips.

“It’s only been a few weeks since I was here, but I’d forgotten how immense this room is.” Erin’s voice broke through her reverie.

Kathryn rose to meet her and hugged her. “I am so glad to see you, Erin.” She released her. “Is it not dangerous for you and Gaharet to be here? The servants, the farmers…someone will see you.”

“No need to fret now, child,” said Anne as she bustled into the room carrying two mugs. “There is a celebration in the village. All the servants have the night off so they can attend. Only myself and Gascon are in the keep tonight.” She handed a mug to Kathryn and one to Erin. “Chamomile brew for the nerves.”

“There’s a celebration in the village tonight? That’s rather convenient,” murmured Erin.

Anne chuckled. “We leave nothing to chance, dear girl. Now, sit by the fire, relax and let the men do what they do best—take care of things.”

Kathryn grimaced. “I have had more than enough ofmentaking care of things for me.”

“Now, now, Kathryn.” Anne wagged her finger at her. “Do not go getting any ideas about leaving the keep. Or you, Erin. This meeting is dangerous, and neither of you have the experience as wolves to risk yourselves out there tonight. Gaharet and Aimon would never forgive themselves if something were to happen to either of you. Sit, drink your brew and stay put.”

Erin planted herself on a stool. “Yes, Anne.”

“Kathryn?”

Kathryn wilted under Anne’s stare. “Yes, Anne.”

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