Page 14 of Alpha Wolf’s Arranged Bride (Rose Hollow Wolves #1)

Rex’s words chill me to the bone. I suspected all along that my uncle had an ulterior motive, and his threat towards Jarrod wasn’t empty in the slightest.

I expect to be told wolves are mobilizing in groups to approach Rose Hollow so they can take Jarrod, so I’m confused when Rex tells me the activity is going on just outside of Eccles. Instead of making sacrifices, they’re digging up a field.

Even more confusing is this reference to ancient powers…

“Scarlett?” Rex asks, his voice gentle as if he’s trying not to startle me. “Please, talk to me. This is really important.”

I look up at him, wondering what I can possibly say. I don’t know enough to explain things to him, and I don’t trust him enough to reveal the scant details I have.

Maybe I could at least tell him Jarrod could be in danger. I think Rex would do anything to protect him.

I hold in a groan as I realize that would inevitably lead to Rex finding out he’s Jarrod’s father. I was waiting for the right time to do that, but the longer we go on like this, the harder it is to say.

Ancient powers.

It disturbs me that these stories have leaked out of my pack and gone into the world, and that they carry enough weight that other wolves would think Eccles is a threat because of it.

I thought it was a scary urban legend, a bogeyman-type deal.

Something about a powerful force that can grant great gifts to an alpha or mage.

“Scarlett?”

“I can’t,” I answer, not even looking up at him. My mind is whirling with details, and there aren’t enough of them to make a clear picture.

I don’t know why, but I can’t shake the feeling that this has something to do with Vanessa…

“How do you know this, Rex?” I ask, looking up at him with suspicion.

“There were scouts,” he says uncomfortably. “They brought the information back to me.”

“Scouts from Rose Hollow?” I can’t keep the challenge out of my voice. “Why are we spying on them if we have a peace treaty—and a hostage?”

“You aren’t a hostage.”

A little laugh escapes my lips, and I shake my head. “Okay, if you say so. My question still stands—why are you spying on Eccles?”

“The scouts weren’t from Rose Hollow,” he answers, sighing. Rex lowers his head and runs his hand through his hair, looking at the floor as if he doesn’t want me to read his face.

“Where were they from?” I ask, surprised.

“I’ve said too much,” Rex says, shaking his head. “Not even my family—or the elders—know about this. The situation is far too delicate for me to share the details, especially with you.”

A spike of anger flares through me, and I can’t hold it in. “With me? Your wife? Or am I, in fact, a hostage?”

“If you’re going to define it like that, then I guess you are a hostage!” he snaps. “If you cared about the safety of Rose Hollow, then you’d tell me everything you know!”

“I don’t know anything,” I say, crossing my arms and glaring at him. “There’s nothing to tell.”

“So why did you ask me so many questions?” he counters. “You wanted to know if your uncle was there, and if there was a woman with him. That’s pretty specific, Scarlett.”

I narrow my eyes, biting my lip as I stare at Rex. I don’t know how much I should reveal to him, especially since I don’t even know who is watching my old pack for him.

What on earth is he involved in?

“Is she his mate?” Rex asks.

I shake my head. “I don’t know, okay? A couple of years ago, he started hooking up with a woman, Vanessa. They seem to have a strange relationship, that’s all. They practically go everywhere together. And if something is happening out of town, I’d expect the alpha to know about it.”

Rex tilts his head as if he’s trying to see me in a different light. “If there’s anything you can tell me, I really need to know,” he says gently. “I get it if you’re scared or protecting someone, but it would help a lot of people if you could just tell me what’s going on in Eccles.”

His words strike new waves of terror through me.

Help a lot of people? Who?

I shake my head. “Rex, no. I really don’t know anything. I have no idea why Eccles are digging up a field.”

At least that’s the truth.

“I’ve heard stories,” I add, “but I don’t have any more details than you do.”

“Are you sure you’re not protecting someone?”

“No,” I mutter, almost whispering.

I want to tell him… but how can I?

Rex gives me a hard glare, and I just stare back at him. There is an intensity between us, and through all the suspicion and secrets, I can feel that old fire burning—the chemistry that exploded between us years ago and lit a passion in my soul that has never gone out.

Even when I tried to convince myself I was over him, it was smoldering inside me like coals glowing, just waiting to ignite when the flames were fanned.

“Who is watching Eccles?” I ask again, hoping to divert him.

Rex immediately breaks eye contact and looks at the floor. “Forget I said anything. Obviously, you don’t know anything about it. For all we know, they could be putting in a parking lot.”

“Yeah,” I say, laughing softly. “I’m sure it’s nothing. I wouldn’t worry about it.”

Rex looks up at me, and I can see the questions crowding in his eyes. I turn away from him and grab some pajamas, pushing past him to go into the bathroom. Slamming the door shut behind me, I press my hands to my chest and try to slow my heart down.

I can’t take this! What am I going to do—I’m sure my uncle is involved in something terrible.

The old stories race around in my mind, but I can’t focus on any details when I’m this wound up. I have a horrible feeling that if I look hard enough, I’m going to find consistencies that add up to truth, and it’s going to be things I’d rather not know.

Like child sacrifice.

I hold in a sob, the effort of keeping my emotions under control making me tremble. After a few minutes of deep breaths, I finally begin to calm down, and I freshen up before putting on my pajamas and getting ready for bed.

I hesitate before going back into the bedroom, expecting Rex to be waiting for me with more questions. But when I get there, he’s in bed with his back to me.

I’m relieved, but somehow feeling let down as well.

I want to tell him everything, but how can I trust him? He never would have come back into my life by choice—he only married me for the treaty.

The thought brings back my anger and my strength. It’s easy to cross the room and curl up in bed without saying a single word to him when I think about how cruelly he abandoned me, and about the wealth of secrets he continues to keep hidden.

As I reach out to switch off the lamp, I hear Rex sigh as if he’s about to say something, and my body tingles with adrenaline. I wait for a second before turning off the light, but he simply turns over and doesn’t say anything.

What more can we say to each other, really? He’s made it clear he won’t reveal any more, and neither will I.

At first, my exhaustion creeps up on me, making me feel slow and heavy. I even relax a little, but my mind continues to churn.

Before long, the thoughts revolving through my head fire up my blood until I’m wide awake again. I roll over onto my back and stare at the ceiling, listening to Rex breathing heavily beside me.

At least he doesn’t snore.

I try to relax, but after about half an hour of struggling with my inner turmoil, I finally give up and get out of bed. I slip across the room without switching on the light, hoping I don’t wake Rex.

I need some time alone. It’s strange that I hated being isolated back home, and now all I want is to be by myself.

The darkness of the house seems to close in on me as I make my way down the stairs. I stretch out my wolf senses, trying to catch a scent or sound of anyone near the house.

I can’t shake the feeling that someone is coming for Jarrod!

The old stories definitely mentioned sacrifices, but I’m still too wound up to think clearly about the details. I’d dismissed those crazy ideas years ago, even though they terrified me when I was a child.

My parents didn’t want me to hear the stories, but I know they were interested in them, always asking the elders about where the stories came from, how they were handed down over the ages, and why.

When I reach the back door, the garden looks still and peaceful. A slender crescent moon lends a little light to the beautiful bushes and trees that line the outer edge of the yard. Not even the slightest hint of a breeze troubles the leaves.

I crack the door a little, taking a deep breath and only smelling the fragrant plants and rich soil. If there were another living being within a mile, I’d smell them for sure, but the only scents I can catch are from the small creatures that live in the garden and surrounding area.

I desperately want to shift and run, but I can’t go far. I have to stay near Jarrod.

Still, the night calls to me, and I slip out through the glass doors onto the stone terrace. Even though I’m sure I’m alone, it feels like hidden eyes are glaring at me from every single shadow.

Taking a deep breath and gathering my nerve, I walk out into the yard and stride out across the lawn, enjoying the springy grass under my bare feet.

The connection to the earth makes me feel calmer right away, and I figure a few turns around the garden should be enough to tease out my anxiety so I can go back to sleep.

Back to sleep beside Rex. The man who betrayed me and my entire pack. The man with enough secrets to fill a dragon’s treasure trove.

The man I can’t stop fucking wanting.

A soft moan eases through my lips as I let myself admit it for the first time.

All I want to do is throw myself into his arms.

That night so long ago was fueled by months of anticipation and frustration, day after day of flirting, talking, touching, never knowing if it was going to happen or not. He was my greatest obsession, my constant thought.

When he took me into his arms and kissed me, I knew I was home. I knew it was forever.

But then, I woke up alone.

Wiping my cheek, I’m surprised to find myself crying again.

I can keep telling myself that it’s the lies and the secrecy holding me back, but it’s a lie… probably the worst lie I’ve ever told myself! All my pain comes from that old wound.

At this point, I don’t think he’s even said sorry.

Covering my face, I let the tears flow, but I won’t let myself fall apart again. I want my tears to be soft and quiet, not full of fury and grief.

How can I continue to hold this against him when I’m not revealing the biggest secret of all?

Even though my tears keep coming, my thoughts begin to clear.

I have to tell him, and Jarrod. They’ve both waited long enough.

A wave of anxiety rises inside me as traumatic scenes flash through my head, and I try to imagine what both of them will say to me. I can almost smell Rex and feel the heat of his body as he prepares to confront me and ask all the questions I don’t want to answer.

With a shock, I realize the sensations are not imaginary. I spin around, my eyes searching the shadows.

“Scarlett,” Rex says as he walks slowly towards me.

I don’t know if it’s the lack of light or the blank look in his eyes—but everything about him seems menacing. That’s when I realize, with complete shock, I don’t know this man at all, and I never did.