Page 87 of Dark Wolf Soul
“Okayyy. Get to the point. I need to piss.”
“I want her to trust me with more than just sex.”
He’s quiet so long that I wonder if he hung up.
“Dutch?”
“I’m trying not to make a big deal about this. Give me a second.”
I sigh. “By saying that, you are making a big deal about it.”
“Bro, you’re in love with her. How is that not a big deal?”
“I’m…” I can’t bring myself to argue even if hearing it out loud terrifies me. “Yeah, I am.”
“Does this mean… is she your… but no, your wolf isn’t even accessible right now.”
“He’s back,” I say quietly.
“That was fast. The old man took mercy on you?”
“No. She brought it back.”
“No shit. The only way that’s possible is if she’s your—”
“Mate,” I finish for him, unable to keep the grim tone out of my voice.
“Dude, that’s—”
“Don’t say it’s great,” I warn. “It’s fucking terrible, all things considered. But I’m not losing this war, and I’m not losing her either. So, I need you to help me make her trust me, or else she’ll end up doing something stupid, and I’ll end up getting us all killed over it.”
I brace myself, fully expecting him to make some smart-ass joke, but he gets serious as he says, “This is going to piss you off, but the fact is she shouldn’t trust you. You fucking kidnapped her ass and locked her in a tower. She should hate you.”
I groan. “I know. That’s why I need your advice.”
“Look, you’ve had all the power all along, and she’s had none.”
“I can’t go back and change what happened.”
“You don’t have to. Just let her have some control, bro. She needs to feel free.”
“Are you about to give me one of those ‘if you love someone set them free’ cliches?”
“Fuck no. That’s stupid. If you love her, you have to show her. And in this case, that means giving her back what you took from her in the first place.”
“Control. Freedom,” I repeat, hating that he’s right.
“Exactly.”
“How do I do that?”
He snorts. “That’s for you to figure out.”
“I thought you were giving me advice.”
“I just did. Look, I can’t do all the work, boss. This part’s on you.”
Before I can argue, he disconnects but not before I hear the distinct sound of him peeing.
