“Yes, Sir.”
“Good.” He releases me and I rush away. Adding my plate to the dishwasher I return to my room.
It’s not the sex that bothers me, it’s the lifelong commitment that comes with it. I pick up a book I’d sink into the chair by my fireplace.
Covering myself in a blanket I lose myself to the words. I have a purpose greater than being a pawn in the Alpha’s game.
Turning the page, I freeze at the sight of five wolves all joined by a silver cord. I’ve seen this. The protector of Fenrir’s amulet shall have their clan, dedicated to protecting them.
Drawing power from one another, they will work as a unit for the betterment of the pack and its People. Fell wasn’t wrong, but it went far deeper.
Jumping from the chair, I stumble across the room and down the stairs. Kirk and Fell look at me from the couch.
“I think I figured out what’s going on. Alpha wants to control the narrative. When he chose us, he had no idea what it meant. Someone must have told him.” I wave the book.
“Told him what?” Kirk asks.
“Here. Read.” I shove it at him, pacing back and forth.
He scans the book. “I think you’re right.”
“About What?” Fell’s irritated voice interrupts us.
I hold up a hand. “Don’t explain. Let him read. I don’t want to influence opinions.”
“Smart.” Kirk hands the book over.
“He’s afraid we’ll trump him.” The blood rushes from Fell’s face. “This is bad.”
“We’ll figure it out,” Kirk says.
“No,” Face red, Fell chokes. “I–.” He shakes his head.
“Kirk,” I turn to the Healer who rushes over.
Fell waves Kirk away. “I tried so hard to keep you safe. And now it’s all falling apart.”
“What?” The anguished words take my legs out from underneath me and I collapse.
“Talk?” Kirk demands.
“I can’t,” Fell grabs his throat.
He shakes his head. I peer to find his face turning purple as his lips move, but no sound comes out.
“Stop.” I grip his thighs. Jesus, when did they become tree trunks? “It's magic, isn’t it?”
He nods.
Recalling the strange late-night calls with heavy breathing I gasp. “You tried to tell me before. Is it fading?”
He nods again.
“Why now?”
He shrugs.
“This is why you walked away from me? To keep me safe.” I place a hand over my heart as the news blows a hole in the theories I’d gathered about his abandonment over the years.
His green eyes glisten with tears and I’m slammed with a million differing emotions. He ripped out our hearts, walked away without looking back, and suffered my rage and torment to keep me safe.
A knot forms in my throat. I whimper. “Fell.” Hot tears roll down my face.
Sobs escape. Sorrow washes over me like a thunderstorm. Yanking me into his lap he wraps his arms around me.
The boy who vowed to protect me kept his promise long into manhood. Suddenly his strange behavior and hesitancy about everything makes sense.
I bury my hands in the longer locks on the top of his head. “Were you afraid this entire time you were going to void the agreement?”
“Yes.”
I blink back tears. “Thor’s hammer and Fenrir’s chains.”
“I love you,” His voice cracks. “Always have. This second chance means everything.”
“I’m going to read the books we found on the altar.”
Kirk gestures toward the stairs. I appreciate the way he shows us grace by exiting to give me time with Fell.
