Page 6

The next morning, I get up early, careful not to wake Clara as I get dressed. When I enter the kitchen, I find Winnie sitting at the counter, munching on pastries and flicking through her phone.

“Hey, bro!” she greets. “How’s married life?”

I sigh. “You know I hate it when you call me bro.”

“Why else do you think I do it?” she giggles. “Are you going to talk to me about your new wife or keep dodging me?”

I sigh again, sitting down at the table. “If you’re going to keep breaking into my house, you could at least make coffee.”

“Ah, dodging me, then,” she says. “For your information, I did make coffee and brought breakfast. Furthermore, it’s not breaking in if you leave the door open.”

“Are you going to make me a coffee, or do I have to get up and shove your skinny butt out of the kitchen?”

Winnie laughs again, getting to her feet and bouncing around as she makes my coffee. When she brings the cup to me, she perches on the edge of the counter instead of sitting down.

“There are several perfectly good chairs here,” I point out.

She shrugs. “Come on, bro. Tell me how your wedding night went!”

I raise an eyebrow. “Maybe if you stop calling me bro, I will.”

Before Winnie can make another annoying quip, Nico appears in the doorway. Winnie squeals and leaps towards him, wrapping her arms around his tiny frame.

“Hi, kiddo!” she chirps. “I’m your Auntie Winnie!”

When she pulls back, Nico has a tiny but warm smile on his face. “I can tell by your scent,” he says. “Like, not exactly that you’re my auntie, but that you’re like Dad and me.”

“Lots of that to get used to around here,” she comments, holding his hand and leading him to the table. “Want a chocolate glazed?”

“Sure do,” Nico answers, stuffing a donut into his mouth.

Winnie winks at me. “I bet you’re glad you went to the meeting, huh?”

“Yes,” I answer tersely, giving her a warning glare. I definitely don’t want to talk about the circumstances of the meeting in front of my son.

“Good morning,” Clara says from the doorway. “What’s all the noise?”

“Just me!” Winnie grins at her. “I brought breakfast, since the ceremony is so early.”

“What?” Clara asks, confused.

Winnie hurries to get herself a cup of coffee. “The elders are on their way,” she says. “They want the ritual done this morning because Galen has a pack meeting today.”

Clara’s eyes widen, but she doesn’t say anything. Before we can get too cozy, I hear cars pulling up outside.

Clara groans in frustration. I know she feels rushed, but there’s nothing I can do for her now. It’s better for all of us if we get the ritual over and done with quickly. Neither of us would enjoy a big ceremony, anyway.

Winnie takes Nico to the garden out front while Clara and I go to the backyard to meet the others. Sherman, George, and my mother join us under a massive lodgepole pine.

I hold Clara’s hands while Mother stands before us, intoning the ritual words, and we repeat the phrases that bind our spirits as well as our bodies. I can tell Mother still disapproves of us and is struggling with herself, but I know she has no doubt that Nico is my son. And her grandchild.

What if I brought back Clara alone? Would Mother have still performed the ritual?

I shake that thought out of my mind as we slip the rings on each other’s fingers. Anticipation rises in me as we approach the end of the ceremony, wondering if I’ll get to kiss Clara. To my dismay, Mother completely leaves that part out and closes the ritual without fanfare.

The others disperse, and Winnie heads out after them, waving goodbye to Nico as she goes. The three of us return to the kitchen to finish breakfast, Clara’s anxious silence a direct contrast to Nico’s breathless excitement.

He bounces around the kitchen, bubbling over with enthusiasm. When I look into his golden eyes, I can’t believe I lived so many years without him.

“So, what are we going to do today, Dad?” Nico asks, finally sitting at the table. “Now that you and Mom are married, what's next?”

“I have a council meeting today,” I answer. “So you and your mom can hang out here for a while, or go shopping. Anything you like.”

“You will have to start school soon, Nico,” Clara tells him.

“Yeah, I know,” Nico replies. “But it’s not going to be as boring as normal school, right?”

“Right,” I confirm, smiling. “You’ll have extra duties, too, as the son of the alpha.”

Nico’s eyes widen. “Like what?”

“Like learning our history, getting to know the whole pack, scouting our territory, and being able to manage people,” I explain. “You don’t need to worry about that for a while, though.”

“Good,” Nico says, nodding as he works through a croissant. “That sounds like a lot of hard work.”

Clara’s voice cuts suddenly into the conversation, almost startling me. “Nico, can you go to the living room and play some of your games, please? I left your bag in there with your tablet.”

Nico just shrugs and heads off towards the living room, waving as he goes.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Clara growls.

I frown. “Talking to my son.”

“Talking about pack responsibilities? Now? He’s only seven.”

“I didn’t mean he had to start right away,” I point out. “You know that.”

“I don’t think you realize how much of a change this is for him. Just leave out the pack stuff for now, okay?”

“Okay,” I answer, trying to keep my voice steady. I’m quickly losing track of the conversation because I’m getting too distracted watching Clara.

At first, when she was moving around the kitchen, I was struck by her natural grace, which has only grown as she matured. When she sits down next to me and fixes me with those big, honey-gold eyes, I’m plummeting down into memories, sinking into wells of sweet, delicious sensations that my body never forgot.

The taste of her lips, the feel of her in my hands…

“Galen,” Clara says sharply. “Are you listening to me?”

I snap out of it. “Yes, of course.”

“Since I’m pretty sure you missed it, I’ll say it again: I don’t want you to get any ideas while we’re sharing a bed, okay?”

“I understand,” I say. “But like I said, this has to look real—even to Nico. So, you might want to act a bit warmer toward me when we’re around him.”

Fiery lightning crackles through the gold of her eyes. She doesn’t move, but her gaze challenges me as her ire rises.

“I’m doing my best,” she finally says. “Nico seems fine. I don’t know what you’re worried about.”

“I’m not worried,” I counter. “Not yet, anyway. But my mom will want to properly meet him soon, and she will ask.”

“I don’t have to prove anything to her,” Clara says defiantly, turning her gaze from me to focus on her coffee. “The contract is binding. We share a bed. I’ve already explained myself to you, and I can’t just act like I’m fine when I’m not.”

“I’m sorry, Clara,” I whisper, meaning it with my whole heart. Seeing this beautiful woman in front of me, still delicate and fragile but now tempered into steel, makes my heart ache for who she used to be.

And throb with excitement for who she has become.

She looks towards me and blinks, long lashes falling against her cheeks for the briefest of seconds before gazing at me openly, pain shimmering in the golden depths of her eyes.

“I had better get going,” I say, standing up. “They’ll be waiting for me. Let me know if you need anything.”

“I will,” she mutters, looking away from me as she takes another sip of coffee. I wait a second longer and then go out the back door, my feelings beginning to simmer to a boil.

She was never this fiery before.

The Clara I remember was sweet and gentle, always quiet. I know she went to great efforts to stay under everyone’s radar because of the bullying, but I never imagined there was a goddess of fire underneath that shy demeanor.

And this fire in her… it fascinates me. It turns me on.

It’s driving my wolf fucking crazy.

My drive to the town hall is an uncomfortable one. My body constantly reminds me of what it felt like to have Clara in my arms… and what it might feel like now that she isn’t as sweet and submissive. When I finally park, I have to stay in the car for a few minutes to calm myself down.

Okay, onto the boring stuff. At least now, no one will be able to accuse me of not getting a mate.

When I come inside, I see Sherman, Jacinta, Nathan, and George gathered around a small table at the back.

Why isn’t my mother here?

Ever since she had to take over from Dad, Mother has been constantly involved in pack business. It’s why she performed the ceremony this morning and attends every council meeting.

“Where’s my mother?” I ask as I sit down at the table.

“She said she didn’t need to attend today,” Sherman answers. “I think she’s going to be attending a lot less now that you’re married.”

Of course, she would. Her only reason to attend meetings before was to harass me to get a mate!

“Fair enough,” I answer. “What is the main issue for today?”

“Boundaries,” George says seriously. “We need to discuss this urgently. Wolfshade extends from here all the way to Mt. Oberlin. There are multiple packs throughout the valleys and peaks, and we’re no longer sure of their territories.”

“That’s because we have peace,” I say, trying to keep the impatience out of my tone. “We haven’t needed to run any extended patrols for years.”

“Which is exactly why we should be doing it,” Nathan emphasizes. “We have no idea what their intentions are.”

Maybe because they don’t have any?

“If we start running patrols, other packs may take it as a threat,” I state. “I don’t think we have cause to mobilize.”

“Nobody is suggesting mobilizing,” George replies. “But definitely some scouting, just to secure the boundary.”

It takes a monumental effort to hold in a groan. I can’t believe we are holding a meeting about this when it doesn’t even need to be discussed.

We are safe. Our alliances are strong. I don’t know why these guys are getting so paranoid. I should be spending today with my new wife!

Images of Clara invade my mind again, and I do absolutely nothing to stop them. Even though lying in bed next to her and not being able to touch her was pure torture, being immersed in her scent and having her so close is so thrilling.

Sitting in the kitchen with her this morning was almost surreal. I’d dreamed of her so often that finally having her in front of me was like seeing an illusion. Like a fairytale that could shatter if I uttered the wrong word.

Even when she was glaring at me and verbally kicking my ass.

“Galen?” Sherman says with a frown. “Are you with us?”

“Sure,” I answer. “I’m on board with all of this, but I don’t think we have to decide anything today.”

Sherman grins at me, obviously knowing I’m not paying attention. The others look satisfied, though, and that’s all I care about.

“I need to go out and check on my mate,” I announce, standing up. “It’s her first day back in town, and I want to be with her and my son as much as possible.”

“What a terrible thing,” Jacinta remarks, an edge of ice in her tone. “For her to keep your child from you all those years. You must be devastated, Galen.”

“She did what she had to do,” I answer, returning Jacinta’s cold tone threefold. “I respect the actions of my mate and honor her, as you should.”

Jacinta nods, turning her eyes down submissively. I can tell it’s fake, though, and I know I have to watch her closely.

I have to watch all of them.

“We’ll get some refreshments,” George says. “But there are things we aren’t done discussing.”

Holding in an exasperated sigh is too hard for me, but I manage to nod and head towards the front doors before I let it out. I bounce quickly down the front steps, checking my phone to see a text from Clara, letting me know she’s at the park with Nico.

It doesn’t take me long to reach the playground, where I see Clara standing by while Nico plays on a swing. As I watch, he hurls himself from the seat, landing hard but running to swing up onto the monkey bars.

He’s got so much energy. The next full moon will be rough.

As I approach, I see Clara turn towards the sidewalk, where someone is approaching her. At first, I’m pleased that Clara is reconnecting with an old friend, but then I realize it’s Mrs. Haggerty.

George’s wife. One of the oldest pack members there is. I’m sure she was never a fan of Clara.

I push that thought away. Remembering how little support Clara had makes me feel like a complete asshole.

How could I do that to her? No matter my reasons, I broke the bond of trust between us… and I don’t deserve to be forgiven.

As I get closer to the women, I begin to pick up snippets of conversation.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Haggerty,” Clara says calmly. “But I’m not sure what you’d like me to say?”

“Nothing,” the old woman says sharply. “I’m asking you to do something—leave town.”

“I’m Galen’s wife now. I have no intention of going anywhere,” Clara answers with an edge of hardness. She’s dealing with the old woman’s spite as best she can.

“You only married Galen so you could lord it over us!” Mrs. Haggerty almost spits. “You seduced him and twisted his mind! It’s a horrible thing to do to such a good man. A woman like you—”

“Why, good morning, Mrs. Haggerty,” I say smoothly. “I see you’re having a chat with my mate.”

The old woman’s face pales, but she keeps her stern expression intact. “Good morning, Galen.”

“I couldn’t help overhearing a little, and you’ve got it completely wrong, Agnes,” I say. “Clara didn’t seduce me… I seduced her.”

I see a quick flash of a smile on Clara’s face as old Mrs. Haggerty takes a step back.

“She’s such a strong, independent woman, it really wasn’t easy,” I go on. “I had to work hard to gain her attention, but I promised to make the effort every day for the rest of my life.”

I turn to Clara, reaching out to her. She leans into my side as I wrap my arm around her, and even though I can feel she’s a little stiff, I can also feel the heat of her skin through her clothes.

She isn’t just playing along for show. She wants me to touch her.

To kiss her.

I stroke Clara’s back before I pull her close, bending my mouth to hers. I intended for this to be a quick kiss, enough intimacy to show old Agnes she should back off. But as Clara’s scent engulfs me, my senses go haywire.

When I touch my mouth to hers, a shock runs through me, shivers of pleasure that caress my skin and make my blood run hot. I tighten my grip on her waist, kneading her lips with mine, letting the tide of arousal and need carry me away.