Wolf Bargain (Wolfish 3)

“But we should wait,” I add, though it pains me. I glance once more over my shoulder. “At least until we know for sure what Remus has planned.”

“Oh, Sabrina,” Rory says, with a heady sigh of his own. He rests his hand on me, and though he doesn’t press the issue further, I watch a

s the golden color in his eyes dim a bit. “Then I hope you’re prepared to wait.”

I sigh.

“Well good thing I have some practice in that area, then.”

8

Rory

Despite what Sabrina seems to think, we are not all as smitten by Remus as my father is.

Romulus might truly believe their Remus is here to make amends, but he’s blinded by the bond of blood. And in my opinion, the wrong bond of blood.

Ever since Remus arrived, it’s like I’m the only one here who remembers the more recent bond they made … even though both brothers still bear the scar.

I lie awake too early in the morning, the bodies of my love and my two brothers sprawled across the bed around me.

The sun has only just begun to rise. Soon, the dark, gray world will be lit by that golden hour of sunrise. The hill leading up to the house will no longer be a dark shadow stretching out from the base of the house to the edge of an even darker forest.

And then we’ll be able to see the shapes of the shifters camped outside, their pack another scar, this one across our land.

Sabrina’s head lies near my lap, her dark golden hair—almost brown—a mess of curls spread out around her. She barely needs a sheet to cover her, what with the heat of us three mutts to keep her warm. But still she clutches at the edge of one, her fingers wound into a tight ball that hugs the fabric close to her body.

I should be fully enraptured by Sabrina, lost in our new marriage together as Kaleb and Marlowe are. But the presence of Remus and his pack here, I can’t ignore it. I can’t just go along with it. As much as I have to pretend to.

It’s cast a pall over what should have been a blissful week of discovery, of learning what it is to be bound to Sabrina in both word and spirit—if not body yet, since we’ve not been able to consummate the marriage.

As much as Remus’ presence has left me feeling tense, a small part of me is willing to admit that this little fact may also play a role in the matter.

We’ve already waited so long, after all.

Just being here, beside her in the same house, doused in her smell, her sight, her physical presence …

For the first time, I fully understand why she couldn’t be here in the house with us, why she stayed in the cabin. It wasn’t just Kaleb who posed a threat to her. It was all of us, me included.

Me, perhaps, more than anyone.

Perhaps my senses are just more alert than usual, or I’m just on edge, but these last few days at Sabrina’s side, her husband in all ways but one, have left me feeling torn in more than ever before. And it’s left me jumpy and excitable—something I’ve done my best to hide from my new wife. The last thing I want is to complicate an already overwhelming time for her with my own inability to control my emotions.

But it has been hard not to agree with her openly when she’s expressed her own … concerns … and Remus’ presence. I don’t want to alarm her, but I can’t bring myself to lie to her face and tell her there’s nothing to worry about, because I can’t be certain. As much as I want to trust Romulus and his judgment, I can’t forget the promises each of them has made.

I can’t ignore that my wedding, Sabrina’s turning, has broken too many of these promises to go unpunished.

So far, I’ve managed to steer the conversation away from having to admit my own fears to Sabrina … and thus far, it seems to have worked.

But of course, as astute as ever, it hasn’t gotten past Lydia.

“You know, your father would understand if you brought your concerns to him.”

I start where I stand, one hand frozen where it reaches out to test the temperature of the water trickling from the faucet.

“God, Lydia, I didn’t see you there.”

She grins at me from across the kitchen before she stoops to fetch the kettle.