Page 80 of Wolf's Prize

“Good. I will be in the kitchen should you need anything. But have no doubt, if I suspect either of you are planning something, I will not hesitate to lock both of you in the training room for the night. Do you understand?”

Kathryn looked at Erin, and they both nodded.

“Good.”

With a satisfied smile, Anne left them to their brew.

“Formidable, isn’t she?” whispered Erin, as Anne’s bulk disappeared through the door.

“Oh my, yes. She does not care one bit we are werewolves. You know, she threatened to rap Aimon over the knuckles my first night here.”

Erin chuckled. “She scolded Gaharet like he was a naughty little boy the first time I met her.”

Kathryn gasped. “And Gaharet allowed it?”

“Yep. It was one of the most astounding and amusing things I’d ever seen. I think if he’d challenged her, she might’ve grabbed him by the ear and dragged him from the room. Nowthatwould’ve been a sight to see.”

Kathryn giggled. She could not envision Gaharet letting a servant treat him so, but Anne was a force to be reckoned with.

“So,” said Erin, before taking a sip from her brew. “How are things going with you and Aimon?”

Kathryn’s smile slipped, and she stared down into her mug.

“That good, huh?”

Her fingers clenched around her mug, and her gaze slid to the embroidered wall hangings, settling on the one of her aunt and uncle.

“I learned something—” She bit off her words.

“Something about Aimon?”

Kathryn turned her attention back to her mug. “No. Something about werewolves.”

“Oh. Does it change how you feel about Aimon?”

“I…”

Kathryn shifted her gaze to Erin. Did Erin know? “I overheard Aimon talking to my father. It appears werewolves can only have children if they mate another werewolf.”

Erin’s eyebrows rose. “Say what now? Gaharet never mentioned that.”

“Before you came, there were only seven werewolves left in the pack, and no females. There are five unmated males out there.” Kathryn waved her hand toward the forest. Somewhere amongst the trees, five men met to discuss her. “Gaharet said I was precious. Now I understand why.”

She turned her gaze back to the wall hanging of her aunt and uncle’s courtship. “All of Gaharet’s vassals are fantastic matches—a rise in status and fortune for many women. But would any woman feel the same if they knew what they had to become? Would they not falter in their pursuit of such a match if they were told they would have to go through a turning?” Kathryn drew in a deep breath, releasing it with a heavy sigh. “I understand now why Gaharet’s vassals have not married. The risk of exposing our secret, should they reveal all and face rejection, is too high.”

Erin gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze, drawing her attention back to her friend. Was she not angry Gaharet had kept this information from her?

“It might surprise you what a woman will do for the man she loves.” Erin gestured at the wall hanging of her aunt’s courtship. “Your aunt braved the turning for your uncle. And though I never had the chance to make that decision, I chose to stay here in this century. A place so far removed from my home, from everything I knew, so Gaharet and I could be together. Think about it, Kathryn. If you weren’t a werewolf already, would you choose to become one so you could be with Aimon?”

Kathryn sat up straighter. She had never considered it from that perspective. Would she?

“I…” She got to her feet and paced in front of the fire. “Oh, I do not know what to think. Then there is Lance and Godfrey. What if either of them challenge Aimon for me? What if Anne is right and the men take care of things? And what if I do not like the outcome?”

Erin shrugged. “Then go to the meeting.”

“But I gave Aimon my word I would stay here.”

And there was Anne. She had once wondered if Anne would drag her back to the keep by her hair if she disobeyed orders. She did not doubt it now. And she would have to get past Gaharet.

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