Page 78 of Wolf's Redemption

“Lothair!” he roared.

Startled gasps echoed around the room, and the crowd parted. Curious whispers buzzed in his ears. The onlookers, the voyeurs ever eager for a spectacle, closed in behind him as he walked the length of the hall. Standing before the dais, before Lothair, were his fellow wolves—Aimon, Lance and the twins—their eyes wide. Aimon nodded. Good. He could trust the young wolf to have his back. Shock rolled off Edmond and Aubert, tinged with anger. He could not fault them for that. They believed him to have killed Gaharet. From Lance, strangely, he sensed nothing.

He might have given Godfrey’s absence more thought had his gaze not fallen on a figure, straining against two guardsbeside Lothair. Rebekah. To be standing there, shackled, and understand few words that were spoken, must be terrifying for her, though she did not show it.

Her dark eyes misted over, and she stared at him with such longing for a moment he considered, had circumstances been different, she might have come to accept him as her mate. He brushed the thought aside. It was not to be.

Aimon squeezed his shoulder as he passed. Edmond frowned, casting a glance at Rebekah, then back at him, sudden understanding flickering in his eyes. The twins shared a look and Aubert’s furrowed brow rose. They both stepped aside. Then he was standing before Lothair, his sword in his hand and his fellow wolves at his back.

Keep guards stepped forward, but Lothair raised a hand, halting them, a triumphant smile hovering on his lips. “Ulrik. So good of you to join us.”

Ulrik stared at his comte. The man who had taken so much from him. His family, and for a time, his freedom. His gut clenched with the strength of his rage. He would not let him take Rebekah.

He threw down his sword, and it clattered at Lothair’s feet. Ulrik dropped to his knees. “My life for hers,” he said in the language of Bretaigne. For her. “My life, for hers.”

A collective gasp rose from the crowd, and mutterings swept through the hall. A rumble came from Aubert, a snarl from Aimon. Ulrik ignored everything but Rebekah.

She closed her eyes and two tears tracked down her face. “You came for me,” she whispered.

Had she thought he would not come? Had she believed he would abandon her like her previous lover?Never.

Lothair got to his feet and moved toward him. Ulrik held his stance. He was on his knees, but he would not prostrate himself, nor bow his head. Lothair kicked his discarded sword beyond hisreach, giving him some satisfaction. Lothair still viewed him as a threat.

“Your life for hers? Hmm.” Lothair tapped his chin. “What is there to stop me from taking both?”

A growl rumbled from behind him. Aimon again. The young pup was growing teeth. Then another and another. The twins. His heart thudded to life, sweeping aside old resentments. Though they believed he had killed Gaharet, they would protect his mate.

Ulrik gritted his teeth. “It is me you want, not her.Mylife, forhers.”

“Well, well, well. The most wayward of Gaharet’s men finally stepping up to assume his responsibilities. Who knew it would only take a woman?”

Lothair inclined his head toward the guards holding Rebekah and they dragged her to him.

She spat at Lothair. “Bastard, mother-fu—” The guards shoved her to her knees, and Ulrik pulled her into his arms. She struggled against him and lunged at Lothair.

He grasped her shoulders and spun her around. “Rebekah, stop. I need you to stop. Please.”

She ceased struggling and put her palms on his chest. “You came, and God, I love that you did. After what I said. I’m so sorry, Ulrik. I didn’t know, but…”

“Yes, Rebekah. For you.” He brushed his knuckles across her cheek. “Always.”

She leaned into him, her forehead resting against his chin. “But you shouldn’t have.” She gripped his surcoat. “Now he’s going to kill you.”

“You would have me leave you here? Riskyourlife for mine?” He set her back and cupped her face in his hands. “I would give my life a thousand times to know you are safe.” He touched his forehead to hers, their breaths mingling. “If this is my end,I go to it having met you, having loved you. I do this for you, Rebekah.” His grip tightened on her face. “You promise me something, Rebekah. Promise me you will go with Aimon. That you will survive. I need you to do this for me.”

“I—”

Lothair clapped his hands, once, twice, three times. “Howverytouching.” He gestured for the guards. “Take him.”

The guards grabbed his arms and dragged him to his feet.

Rebekah clung to him. “No. No. You can’t—” She grabbed one guard’s arm and tried pulling him away from Ulrik. He shoved her. She fell to the floor.

Ulrik roared and struggled against the guards. “Do not touch her!”

Aimon stepped forward, grasped Rebekah by the arm and pulled her to her feet. She lunged at the guard again, but Aimon held her firm and dragged her away.

“Aimon,” Ulrik beseeched him.

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