Primals (Reverse Harem 1)

I nod. I had suspected as much. “That’s good.” And it is, even if I can’t be there to help her.

And I’m not sure I’m ready to let her go.

“I have to find out who I am,” she says. “I have to find out the truth about my past and my present in order to decide my future.”

“I know.” I place my hand over hers. “I just wish I could be there to protect you.”

She shakes her head. “I can’t be the woman from that prophecy.” She pauses a moment and I can tell she’s thinking deeply about something the way her forehead creases, and her eyes seem to turn inward. When she speaks, it’s almost in a whisper, her voice wistful. “Speaking of prophecy, can’t you just ask your friends about me so I don’t have to go to Africa?”

“Unlike spirits, prophecy comes,” I tell her. “You don’t ask for it. Though I’ll be paying them a visit to find out if there’s anything they know about you just in case your trip to Africa isn’t helpful after all.”

“Okay.”

I squeeze her hand. “I still wish I was there with you.”

Clarissa leans on my chest, her head above my heart that betrays me by beating even faster. I bury my face in her hair.

“I’ll be okay, Theo.”

I squeeze her shoulder. “Promise you’ll be careful? That you won’t do anything reckless? That we’ll see each other again?”

She sits up and looks into my eyes. “I promise.”

My heart burns with the yearning to kiss those parted lips. It’s a desire I’ve never felt until now. Instead, I stroke her cheek as I plant a kiss on her forehead, telling myself firmly that this has to be enough...

“I’ll be waiting for you.”

Chapter Sixteen

~ Kyle

“I CAN’T WAIT TO GET to the hotel.” I fan my chest with my shirt, wiping the sweat off my brow with the other hand.

Compared to Oklahoma, Alaska and Japan, Zambia is a desert. I almost envy Theo for staying behind.

Almost.

From beneath my sunglasses, I glance at Clarissa, who’s seated beside me at the back of the Jeep, her hair floating in the breeze. She’s wearing sunglasses, too, along with a white shirt and khaki pants.

I’d follow her anywhere, even to hell.

“It’s not like we’re here on a vacation, you know,” Sebastian tells me.

His mood is sour as usual. Strange. Weren’t wolves supposed to be docile unless threatened? Does he feel threatened? If there’s anyone who should feel threatened, it should be me. And I do. I eye him warily. I’ve been doing that a lot.

I thought Clarissa would always end up being mine. It was the natural course of things, I told myself. Now, all of a sudden, there are three othe

r men fighting for her affections. She doesn’t act like she knows it. Maybe she doesn’t. Smart as she is, she’s never had a clue when it comes to the feelings of those around here. At least when it comes to those kinds of feelings. It’s like it doesn’t even compute to her that guys might find her attractive. I always figured she’d get it someday, and then when she did, guess who would be right there waiting.

I wasn’t supposed to be one of a crowd when that day came. Now here I am waiting alongside three other men, all stronger and more good-looking and cooler than I am. Three men who may have more in common with her than I do.

Yes, Clarissa and I have been through a lot. We have our friendship but I’m not exactly sure that works in my favor. Not anymore.

I let out a deep breath. I told her a long time ago how I felt about her. I never should have backed down afterwards.

“Are you okay?” Clarissa asks.

“Yeah,” I tell her, and for the first time I realize I’m lying to her. “I should be asking you that.”