Page 83 of Wolf's Prize

“The wolfsbane had wilted, and had minimal effect, but I could discern the circle they created with it. A perfect trap.”

Edmond frowned. “We all scented the wolfsbane and felt its effects. We have to presume Gaharet and Ulrik did, too. What would entice Ulrik into the trap?”

“All the mercenaries were dead, killed outside of the circle,” continued Aimon. “Except for one. But…I found blood inside the ring of wolfsbane, not belonging to him, Ulrik or Gaharet.”

“Erin.” Lance threw back his head and stared at the night sky. “Ulrik fought Gaharet for Erin. That is the only thing that makes sense. Erin must have been injured in the fray.” He rubbed his face with his hands. “We should have seen this coming after Ulrik challenged Gaharet over her at his keep.”

“If that is what happened, where are their bodies?” asked Godfrey. “Did you find them?”

“With such a confusion of scents I…” Aimon raised his hands, and an expression of defeat crossed his face.

Godfrey’s lip curled. “And in your wisdom, you did what? Nothing. You did not think to consult with one of us, to call on someone with more experience. No doubt one of us could have teased the truth from that clearing.”

Aimon flinched and Kathryn repressed a growl, her fingers digging into the bark of the tree. How dare Godfrey imply Aimon lacked the skills, lacked honor?

“But you had other things on your mind. You wanted to return to the d’Louncrais Keep. You had found a female werewolf, and you did not want to risk losing her to one of us.”

Aimon growled at Godfrey. “What was I supposed to do? Who was I supposed to trust? Kathryn said a brown wolf attacked her. That absolves Ulrik, but—”

“—not any of us,” finished Lance.

“For what it is worth, I did not expect to find my mate. I never expected to fall in love with her. I thought only of protecting her and keeping her safe.”

Kathryn stifled a gasp. He had told them, declared his feelings to the pack. Warmth infused her body, and she stared at Aimon, unable to shift her eyes from him. His gaze flicked toward her, scanning the forest. Could he sense her presence? She pressed closer to the trunk of the tree.

“Has Kathryn agreed to be your mate?” asked Lance.

Aimon shifted his gaze back to the men in the clearing, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. “No. Not yet.”

Kathryn pressed a hand to her chest at his wounded expression.

Godfrey smirked. “Well then, she may not settle for you, the newest member of our merry little band. Perhaps she will choose one of us.”

Aimon snarled, and his wolf roared to the surface.

Surprise flitted across Godfrey’s face. “You think to challenge me, young pup?”

Aimon roared, and his face contorted as his bones shifted. He ripped his sword belt off and reached for his hauberk.

Godfrey bared his teeth, his canines sliding clear and his face contorting as he unbuckled his sword and cast it aside. “So be it.”

No. They will not fight over me.Kathryn abandoned the safety and anonymity of the forest and raced into the clearing. She placed herself between the two partly shifted werewolves, arms held aloft.

“Stop!”

“Elise?” Godfrey recoiled from her outstretched hand. “How is this possible?”

Aimon’s hands dropped to his sides, and he took a step back. His bones shifted, and he settled back into his human form. “No, not Elise. Kathryn.”

The men stared at her, the anguish in Aimon’s eyes making her heart skip. He had been trying to protect her. As he had all along.

“There is a striking resemblance,” muttered Aubert.

“Do I not have a say in this?” Kathryn spun around, pinning each man with a glare.

Edmond chuckled. “And spirited like her, too.”

It unnerved Kathryn to have her back to any of them, so she gave it to the man she trusted most. Aimon.

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