Page 42 of Claimed By the Wolf
Dark circles form underneath my eyes, and I try desperately to cover them up with makeup. The lack of sleep makes me squirrely and paranoid, jumping at my shadows in the halls of Emeric’s huge ranch house.
The halls seem impossibly long during the day, but at night, alone in my room, it’s even scarier. Every night, I worry that Emeric will finally come to consummate our union.
I rarely see him during the day. Like my brother and Nox, he spends his mornings and afternoons at the packhouse, running pack business, none of which pertains to me.
When I do see him, he’s polite, but distant, asking if the accommodations are sufficient and if I’m being treated well. I don’t understand him at all, and I’m torn between approaching him and leaving him in peace as my bond with Nox tears me apart inside.
I guess he hasn’t found a way to end it yet.
I walk through the empty hallways toward the dining room, where I’ll sit down to yet another solitary meal.
I text my brother over breakfast, my head pounding from lack of sleep.
Me:What’s going on?
I want someone to talk to, to tell them what I’m going through. That I’m staying up all night, waiting for the door to open, for Emeric to storm in and claim what’s his, but simultaneously, I can’t see him doing that.
The truth is, I have no idea what kind of male Emeric is, and it’s driving me crazy.
I’m so alone here on the ranch, so isolated, despite having numerous staff members ready to attend to my every need.
It’s admittedly nice to have such a glorious suite with my own bathroom and living room.
But it’s lonely.
Brax texts me back almost immediately.
Brax:Hi! How is everything? Excited about the ceremony this weekend?
I stare at the message in disbelief, pushing my plate of almost untouched food away. Is he serious right now?
“Are the eggs all right, Miss Brynn? Should I get you something else?” One of the female staff members is at my side, shattering my annoyance.
I glance at the overeager servant. “No. The eggs are fine. I’m just not very hungry. Is the Alpha gone for the day?”
“Yes. Is there something I can help you with?”
I stand from the table, dejected. “No. I think I might take a walk.”
“I can pack you some snacks if you’re going to be gone a while.”
This life won’t be so bad. I can learn to be happy here, if only this constant ache in my chest would subside.
“I don’t think I’ll be gone long,” I tell her. “But thanks.”
My phone vibrates again, and I frown, eying the latest message.
Brax:Can I call you before I head into the packhouse?
Eagerly, I text him back “yes” and turn toward my suite to speak privately before heading outside into the springtime morning.
I answer on the first ring, trying to keep the excitement out of my voice.
“Hello?”
“It’s good to hear your voice,” Brax says, and unexpected tears fill my eyes.
“Yours, too,” I admit, swallowing the lump in my throat. Inside my sitting room, I collapse onto a wing chair and press the phone to my ear.
