I pan my gaze back to Vlad before I flick my gaze to Theo.
“That would answer why we couldn't get in touch with Kyle,” I say.
“So you believe him?” Theo says.
“I believe his apology. Sebastian believes his apology.”
“You what?” Toshi asks. “This man tried to rape her!”
“In the context of the situation, it was easy to misconstrue our reason for being there,” Sebastian says. “It isn’t one of a Wolf’s more charming traits, but that is how packs work. Men get to take what is theirs, and the women of the pack always submit. Vlad was under the assumption Clarissa would automatically submit, and when it didn’t happen was when I intervened.”
“What a disgusting practice,” Toshi says.
“Don’t worry. There’s plenty we don’t like about Cats,” Sebastian says.
“How do you know Kyle’s alive?” I ask.
The conversation falls silent as my eyes lock with Vlad’s.
“I overheard my father talking about it,” he says.
“And you’re sure?” I ask.
“I’m positive that was what he said, yes.”
I feel like the wind is rushing from my lungs. It is hard to breathe. Hard to keep eye contact. The floor feels like it’s tilting, and my heart is drumming in my ears. Kyle’s alive.
My husband is alive.
I feel my heart soaring for the first time in months. Since the moment I said “I do” and looked into those beautiful blue eyes. Hope surges through my veins. A smile crosses my face, and I can see the light in Vlad’s eyes dance. I no longer care about our past. About things that were miscommunicated and wires that were crossed.
He is delivering the best news I could’ve ever hoped for.
And I lunge at him and wrap my arms around his neck.
“Thank you for finding us,” I say breathlessly.
“I hope it will be the first of many chances to show you how truly sorry I am for what I put you through,” he says.
“I still don’t understand all the Primal cultures, but if Sebastian knows your apology is sincere, then I believe it,” I say as I grasp onto his shoulders. “Are you still bleeding?”
“You’re strong, but not that strong,” he says with a coy smile.
“Good. So now you get to answer my questions. Where is he?”
“In Russia.”
“We just came from Russia,” I say. “Where in Russia?”
I can see Vlad’s nostrils flaring, and I recognize that look in his eyes. It’s the same look he gave me in the village before he pounced on my body. Pinning me to the wall. I take a step back from him and throw my guard up as Sebastian rushes in front of me. I sniff my arm. I can smell him. I can smell the lust dripping from Vlad’s form as his lips begin to curl into a devious smile.
“You really do smell divine,” Vlad says.
Both Toshi and Theo step in front of me as Sebastian holds Vlad back.
“Move,” he says.
“I can’t,” Sebastian says.