Page 21 of Wild Wolf
Nolan’s mouth flattened. “No one forces me into anything. She gave me an ultimatum to find a mate. I chose you. End ofstory.”
The tiny hope that Nolan wanted to marry her died. Like her, he had not been granted much choice in thematter.
Swallowing her pride, and her hurt, she shrugged. “Guess we are both stuck with eachother.”
Nolan didn’t answer, but gave her a long look. “Stuck isn’t the way I’d look at it,pixie.”
The familiar nickname renewed her tiny hope. Ruthlessly Jordan quashed it. If she kept hoping this marriage of convenience would turn into something richer and more meaningful, she’d be wasting hertime.
Better that she make the best of it, and try to make it work. It was the least she coulddo.
And marriage to Nolan was better than prison. She snuck a covert glance at him as he turned to chat with Aiden. Nolan was an alpha Lupine, without a spare inch of fat on him. Remembering the pleasure he’d given her their first night as lovers, she felt a rush of sweet anticipation. At least that side of the marriage should beexciting.
It was the times when Nolan was out of bed that worriedher.
“Queen Selene’s attendants seemed enchanted with you,” she told Nolan. “Maybe you should have married one ofthem.”
“I don’t date older women, especially ones well over a hundred. Cramps mystyle.”
She laughed and then sipped her wine, relishing the tingle of it against her tongue. A glass filled with green liquid sat by her plate, along with a slotted silver spoon and a bowl filled with sugar cubes. She would not drink the absinthe, the traditional mating drink of Lupines. It made females amorous, but also dulled their wits. Jordan wanted to be fully aware and awake for their wedding night. She remembered the passion Nolan had awakened inher.
Would it be the same? Certainly she had never felt anything like itsince.
Nolan glanced at her. “Excuse me a moment. I must talk with Aiden inprivate.”
Jordan watched the two powerful alpha Lupines leave. She made small talk with Nia as she toyed with her food, but the beef didn’t appeal toher.
Instead, she devoured the green vegetables and the fruitcup.
Shortly after they left, Nolan and Aiden returned. Her new mate ignored the bowing and forehead touching gestures of respect shown alphas as he passed. Nolan wore a well-tailored black silk tuxedo, which looked elegant on him. He was so handsome, whether in evening clothes or in dusty bluejeans.
Ornaked.
She remembered that aswell.
He looked at her plate and the untouched beef. She shrugged. “I’m not thathungry.”
Jordan tapped her foot beneath the table and hummed to the band. Suddenly Aiden stood and pulled Nia to her feet as the band played a slow song. She went into his arms and everyone respectfully walked to the side to give them the entire dancefloor.
Closing her eyes, she rested her head on his broad shoulder, moving against him in time to the music. Aiden held her close, hummingalong.
A lump formed in Jordan’s throat. She wished she and Nolan could share that closeness. Once they had, dancing in this same meadow beneath the stars, their music the hum of cicadas, the lights fireflies twinkling in thegrass.
Jordan nodded at the dance floor. “Shallwe?”
Nolan gave her a heavy-lidded gaze. “I have business to attend to. Excuseme.”
He pushed back from the table, went to another table where a few other Lupines sat. Recognizing the outsiders who attended, Jordan felt a chill race down herspine.
Was this her marriage, mated to a male who ignored her all thetime?
Nolan returned and held out his hand. “Come withme.”
Jordan wanted to tell him to brush off, but she took hishand.
He brought her over to the two strangers. Dim recognition flickered and she stifled agasp.
Brandon Harlow and his beta. Hope filled her. Could the long feud finally be ending with thisgesture?
