Page 66 of Wolf's Redemption

Ulrik barked out a laugh. As if that would make things better. No. Not after the betrayal of her previous lover, Spider. That he had had a reason for doing what he had done, that he had not known of Lothair’s reaction in his absence until it was too late, would not matter.

“My family died because of me. My sisters’ lives cut short, never to know the joy of being mated. It is only right that pleasure be denied me as well.”

“Ulrik…”

Ulrik turned away from Gaharet and stripped off his tunic and breeches. “Go back to your mate, Gaharet.”

He shifted before Gaharet could argue. Though Gaharet’s current circumstances could not have been worse, his alpha had found his mate. Erin now carried his unborn child. With Aimon mated, too, it was natural for Gaharet to wish that for all his pack. Fate, it seemed, had other plans for him. Right now, staying in that cottage, watching what could not be, was beyond his forbearance. With one last glance at the door, he loped off into the forest.

* * * *

Bek stood expectantly as the cottage door opened, but only Gaharet entered. “Where’s Ulrik?”

Gaharet shook his head. She headed for the door, but Gaharet blocked her way.

“Stay here, Rebekah. Ulrik has gone for a run, and it is not safe for you out there alone.”

She stared up at him, jutting out her chin. “I need to talk to him. Explain…”

She rubbed her hand against her chest. It hurt that she’d hurt him.

“Sit.”

The command in his voice rolled over her, a wave of physical force threatening to knock her down. Her knees shaking, she held her ground. “But…”

“He will return soon.”

From the set of his jaw, she figured he’d stand there, guarding the door all damn night if he had to. She thrust her shoulders back and locked her knees. He wasn’theralpha. If he thought—

“Oh dear,” Erin moaned. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

She jumped up from her seat, grabbed a bucket from beside the fire and clutched it to her chest. With her hair shrouding her face, she leaned over it and retched violently. Gaharet was by her side in an instant.

Bek glanced at the door. Could she leave them when Erin was clearly unwell?

Erin groaned and leaned over the bucket again. “Someone should have warned me morning sickness doesn’t just happen in the morning.”

Gaharet hovered over Erin. “Can I get you anything?” His hands flexed at his side, as if he held himself back from trying to grasp hold of Erin’s illness and rip it from her.“Tell me what will help you?”

The commanding, in control alpha of moments ago was gone, reduced to an anxious mate.

“A cool, damp cloth would be good,” came the mumbled reply, muffled by the bucket and Erin’s hair.

Gaharet rushed to grab a cloth, soaking it in a bowl of cool water. As he turned his back to them, Erin lifted her head and winked.

“Go,”she mouthed and made a shooing motion with her hand.

She dropped her head and gave another pitiful moan as Gaharet brought her the cloth.

Erin pressed the damp cloth to her forehead. “Thanks, honey. You’re so sweet.”

Bek covered her mouth with her hand, hiding her smile. Yeah, he was sweet. And gullible. Especially when it came to his mate. It worked for her, though. With Gaharet’s back turned, his attention on Erin, Bek scooped up her jeans and quietly slipped out of the cottage and into the night. She had to find Ulrik. She had to make this right.

A few steps into the forest, Bek paused. No movement from the cottage. No Gaharet barreling out the door to drag her back. Good. She hurriedly threw on her jeans. How the women of this century gallivanted around the forests all day in dresses and no knickers was beyond her. Not Bek. She’d take all the protection she could get.

Now, where would Ulrik have gone? He’d said he’d take the first watch. A patrol? He’d do a sweep around the cottage first, wouldn’t he? She had to hurry. Despite Erin’s theatrics, Gaharet would soon notice her gone and come after her. Bek wasn’t going back to the cottage to wait like a good little female. No way, no how. She’d go back once she’d found Ulrik. Once she’d got it into his thick head that she hadn’t meant him.

She did a loop around the cottage, keeping within the cover of the forest. Not that it’d hide her from Gaharet for long, but it’dbuy her time. No Ulrik. She glanced about the clearing. Would he scope out the pond? A reasonable presumption. The path to the pond beckoned, disappearing beneath the darkened canopy of leaves and limbs.

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