Page 14 of Claimed By the Wolf
The need to touch her is breaking me.
I need to get out of here. That’s what I need to do.
Whirling around, I run out of the alleyway. A giggling couple rounds the corner, stopping short as I almost barrel them over. To my horror, they’re members of my pack.
Fuck!Can they smell our bond? I don’t wait around to find out. I rush past them without a word, leaving Brynn in the darkness as the pack members call out in surprise. “Alpha?”
I don’t stop until I’m at my vehicle, where I collapse into the driver’s seat, blood rushing through my veins dangerously. But I can’t give myself a minute to collect my thoughts. I have to put space between myself and Brynn. The longer we’re in the same vicinity, the better the chances are that someone will detect our bond.
Trembling slightly, I peel away from the curb, almost taking out a staggering group of humans at the corner. They curse and wave their fists at me, and I bare my wolf fangs at them, relishing their looks of fear as they stumble onto the curb and out of my way. I shouldn’t antagonize them.
I head up the freeway toward my estate at the opposite end of the city, and the tension gripping my body finally loosens, but not by much. A dull ache lingers in the aftermath of what just happened.
How could I not have ever suspected Brynn was my fated mate? Had she ever suspected me?
An image of her beautiful face flashes behind my eyes, those full, quivering lips, confused and questioning, ripe for kissing.
No. No, never. I can’t even entertain the idea. She is Emeric’s mate, not mine.
My foot falls heavier on the gas pedal, and I roll down the windows, allowing air to flow through the car, hoping to cool myself. The phone rings through the car speakers, and I eye the dashboard. My neck stiffens when I see Emeric’s number on the screen.
What horrible timing. I’m not sure I can deal with him in my current state, but I have been waiting for his call.
“Yes?” I answer curtly.
“I’m having a gathering next weekend at my ranch. It’s to make things official.” He wastes no time getting to the point.
My hands close tightly around the steering wheel, and I suck in a breath. “You want to have the ceremony next weekend?” I ask slowly, my mind again flittering back to Brynn.
Jealousy fires through my veins like lava, and I almost swerve off the freeway.
It’s only going to get worse from here…
Dread pops cold beads of sweat over my forehead.
“No,” he corrects me quickly, and I relax, but only slightly. “It’s more of an… informal get-together. Given the history of our two packs, it might be a good idea to let our packs mingle before the official ceremony.”
My eyes narrow, and I ponder his suggestion. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he’s procrastinating.
He’s suspicious of Brynn, even if he finds her attractive—or at least that’s what I glean.
That’s why he hasn’t moved her onto the ranch yet. And if the roles were reversed, I can’t say I’d do it differently. Emeric is not an idiot, and I can’t argue that getting everyone together before the ceremony is a smart move. He’s far more diplomatic than the last Willow Grove Alpha, that’s for sure, and we’re trying to make progress here. But given this newest turn of events, I need that progress to transpire faster.
“That’s fine,” I agree. “I’ll let my pack know.”
“I’ll send you the details.”
Before he can hang up, I add, “Have you given any more thought to having her move onto the ranch?”
As soon as the words leave my lips, I’m nauseous. Speaking them aloud is poison to my soul. It’s the last thing I want. But I need to get away from her if I have any chance of forgetting about her and what just transpired.
A long silence follows my suggestion.
“Are you still there?” I ask, knowing full well he hasn’t disconnected.
“I am.” He doesn’t elaborate.
And? Dammit, Emeric, make up your fucking mind!
