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My legs are spread wide, my knees are at either side of his waist, and my nose is buried against his throat. I’m shaking with the potency of my fear and rage and still reeling from that bark of his command, even though I have worked out it was not directed at me.

He rubs soothing circles on my back. “I’m sorry that I scared you.”

I hear a creak behind me, indicating that Wolf has sat down opposite. He’s still purring, which soothes me, as does Seven’s heady scent.

“S-she said she was your favored lover,” I stammer. “That I’m wearing her clothes.”

I feel a little sick—I want them off of me.

Seven curses softly, his hands tighten, drawing me closer into his embrace.

“I have lain with her on occasion. But she is certainly not my favored lover, nor does she even have permission to visit these rooms. In fact, I expressly forbade her from entering these quarters last night. It would appear she has a short-term memory. As for the gowns, they are new and brought here for you and only you. My sisters, whom you will meet soon, thrilled by your arrival, picked this small collection to tide you over until you have time to choose for yourself. Marigold has never been invited to stay, nor has she ever kept her clothes here.”

My mind scrambles over all he says.

“The guards have now removed her from your presence. You will not be troubled by seeing her again.”

My heart is still sore from her cruel words. The urge to cry is sharp and sudden. I’ve never been cross enough with someone to want to hurt them. The vehemence of my reaction to her scares me a little. But what she said about my papa being an animal—just no. And he was the sweetest papa anyone could wish for, and I loved him with all my heart. No one has ever been that cruel.

I question if I can live here anymore. It seems welcoming on the surface, but there is mockery and loathing below.

Seven’s gentle caress is a balm, though. My racing heart settles.

It was kind of his sisters, whom I have not even met, to provide these clothes thinking of my comfort, possiblyunderstanding that I come from a small village and any clothes I had would not fit in here.

I reason that there are good and bad people in every place. Even in the wolf village, I did not get on with every person. Some were rude or mean by nature, and there were not always reasons for their behavior.

“Well, you really fucked that up, didn’t you?” Wolf says.

He has ever been blunt talking. Usually, his stern words are directed at me for some mischief. It makes me want to chuckle hearing him tell Seven off.

“I did,” Seven replies, his hands stilling. “Fawn, I can only apologize for my failing and assure you that it shall not happen again.”

His fingers resume the gentle caress up and down my back. His big, warm body covered in a silk shirt makes a pillow for my cheek. I feel an overwhelming urge to nip at the strong column of his throat. I slide my nose across, making it seem accidental when my lips make contact.

Just a faint brush.

His hands still. He makes a strange, rumbly sound in his chest. Not quite a purr. But it still sounds approving.

“How was your run this morning?” he asks, his caress continuing, stroking me gently.

“It was very pleasant, thank you.”

His chuckle is low and full of warmth.

My racing heart has settled somewhere along the way, and the sting of threatened tears has likewise passed.

I become aware of how I am clinging to him and how perfect it feels to be in his arms like this.

“So very polite,” he says, voice teasing. “Nox said you were a joy to behold skipping around the Royal Woodland. That Eiden is already besotted with you.”

“I like Eiden,” I admit. I can’t quite bring myself to admit how I feel about Nox—I need to talk to Wolf about what happened, but now, and while I’m nestled on Seven’s lap, does not feel like the appropriate time.

I wriggle, growling restless as I think about what we did.

“Well, I’m glad,” Seven says. “He has a sweet nature even if his stag is a little uncivilized on occasion.”

“I didn’t see any of that,” I say, relaxing into his touch, loving how my skin tingles.