Page 35 of Claimed By the Wolf
All I can think about is where this night is going to lead. My packed bags are in the back of Brax’s car, ready to be moved into the house on Emeric’s command.
I stop again and stare imploringly at my brother.
He glowers at me. “Brynn…”
“Where’s Nox?” I whisper before we’re in earshot of the Willow Grove members, lining the doorway in anticipation of our arrival.
I haven’t seen Emeric yet, but I’m sure he’s close by.
Connor scowls at my question. “You would be smart to put the right Alpha in your mind tonight,” he hisses. “Unless you want to get us all killed.”
I tense and swallow. “I will. I’m sorry.”
Brax ushers me forward. He didn’t answer my question, and now I’m more on edge than ever.
The shifters at the door step aside to let us pass, but they don’t offer much of a greeting.
“Not exactly a warm welcome,” Connor mutters as we enter the foyer.
The music levels increase inside, and the room is filled with well-dressed shifters. Nervously, I wring my hands and look around for Nox again, but my eyes land squarely on Emeric’s.
His emerald stare bores into mine across the entranceway, and I gasp aloud, the look catching me off guard. A bemused smirk touches his lips, and he ambles toward us.
Gulping back the rock of stress in my throat, I force a smile. “Hello, Alpha,” I choke out. “Thank you for having us.”
He barely acknowledges me again as he sets his sights on my brother. “Where is your Alpha?” he asks.
He really doesn’t like me. Why doesn’t he put us all out of our misery and end this charade for us?
“He should be along soon.” Brax’s evasiveness makes me stiffen, hearing the lie in my brother’s tone. “He got caught up in an emergency.”
Oh, no! He’s not coming!
The reality hits me like ice water to the face, and I have to turn away before Emeric can read my expression. Why hadn’t they forewarned me?
“Nothing serious, I hope.” He doesn’t sound like he cares much.
He’s studying me with renewed interest, and the expression on his face worries me. Has he changed his mind about wanting a mate? Or can he sense something different about me now?
“We hope not,” Connor declares, confirming my suspicions. “But pack business can be delicate, as you know, Alpha.”
“Don’t I know it.” He stares at me for a long moment. “Why don’t you mingle? There’s plenty to eat and drink. Let’s get better acquainted with one another.”
My breath catches, and I wait for him to steer me away, but to my surprise, he simply wanders off, leaving me with Connor and Brax.
I will never understand this Alpha, but maybe that’s a good thing if it means he keeps his distance. At least for now.
“Go with him!” Connor hisses at me.
“He’s not coming?” I snap back, ignoring his instruction. “Nox isn’t coming tonight?”
Connor snorts at me. “Are you crazy? How would that work? Of course not. You two can never be in the same place together again.”
The statement is a punch to my gut, and Brax reads my look clearly, his expression softening sympathetically.
“He’s working on breaking the bond right now,” he whispers. “But this isn’t the place to be discussing it. Connor’s right. Go with Emeric. Try to get to know him.”
My stomach churns at the notion, but I don’t object. This is what I’m here for. But can’t they understand how difficult it is for me when my real mate is sucking every last grain of desire from my soul?
