Page 18

"I know you are so mad at me, I did something d-dangerous and stupid.

You told me not to do anything dangerous and trust me, I listened to you really well.

It's just that my brain kept sending signals to my body that we can do this.

I truly wanted to help Nalaila, I had high hopes that I could reach her because I reached her before, you know.

Yes, it was a dangerous thing to do but it was also worth a shot, I had to do it.

I know what the next action would have been and I didn't want you to have to choose to do something like that to her because it would hurt you so bad.

..and hurt her too. I know you're mad, please, don't be mad— "

The breath whooped out of her as he got too close and pulled her into a crushing hug. He was holding her so tight that for a moment, Ismena thought he'd gotten so mad at her that his plan was to crush her to death.

But that dreadful thought only survived a few seconds. Then, she heard him sniffle.

Sniffle?

Her nervous system took a back seat, which opened up her other senses. That was when she realized that he was...trembling?

"Wolfe...?" She whispered, confused.

"I am mad at you, Ismena. I am very mad at you.

You put yourself in harm's way, scared the very devils out of me, and you almost gave me what the humans call a heart attack.

So, yes, I am mad at you." he stated vehemently, still holding her tightly.

"But... By the gods, Ena... look at what you've done for her. "

Oh. The tension dissolved from her body. Her hands went around him and she hugged him tightly.

"I watched you both for the past hour, but I still do not believe this." he sniffled again, "I am having a hard time believing that the wolf who was running around and making happy noises is my little sister. Thank you so much, Ena. Thank you."

"I didn't do anything special, Wolfe. I only offered to let her out. She did everything else on her own."

"But, how is that even remotely possible—"

An angry growl cut off the words from his mouth. He loosened his hold on his woman and stepped back, enough to swivel his head to see her wolf companion .

The wolf was angry, and it has posed too. A pose that comes when an animal thinks its friend/owner/companion is being attacked. The wolf was ready to attack the intruder.

Wolfaraine stepped back completely, raising his hands in surrender.

Ismena walked back to stand beside the wolf. Placing a hand on its head, she caressed its furs, "I am fine, Nalaila. He was not hurting me. He is your brother and he loves you so much."

The wolf stopped posing and growling. But its eyes never left Wolfaraine's.

"Aila..." Emotions clouded his throat, "Aila, I am so happy to see you out here like this."

He made a move to go to the wolf, but stopped in his tracks when the wolf growled again, posing menacingly.

His face fell. Pain flashed in his eyes at the rejection, but only for a moment before it disappeared.

But, Ismena saw it and it hurts so much to see.

"I'm so sorry, Wolfe. Maybe she is mad at you, because you are interrupting her play?" she suggested hopefully.

Wolfaraine smiled sadly, "Maybe. It doesn't matter, Ena. I am happy that she is out here and she is enjoying it. And she is also enjoying your company. My sister has made a big progress for the first time in eighteen years, and that is what matters to me. And it is all thanks to you."

He made another move to walk towards Ismena but the wolf growled again, so he remained where he was. "You have no idea the magnitude of the gift you've given me tonight, Ismena. I have no idea what I'm going to do with you. "

Ismena's insides felt like jelly, her heart singing with joy in her chest. His look on his face, it was worth it.

She would risk her life again and again, if it meant that she would keep seeing this look of utter happiness on his face. God, she will do anything to make this man happy. That is how much she loves him.

The wolf let out another angry growl.

"We are going to the lake. Will you like to come with us?" she asked, hopefully. When he looked at the wolf, she rushed to add, "You don't have to play with us or stay close. You can just be there and watch, right?"

Wolfaraine wanted to, but he was filled with indecision. His sister does not want his presence. The thought was hurtful.

But in the end, he gave in with a nod. So, what if she does want his presence? What matters is that she has given in to the will to keep living.

There was no better way to spend the night than to watch the miraculous progress his sister has made. For the first time ever, he was genuinely happy.

And that happiness stayed with him for the rest of the night as he watched the woman that was fated to be his lifemate and his sister who he'd thought he'd lost forever play around on the beach and in the lake.

He sat on a log of wood, a mile away, and watched them. It still felt like a dream, but he knows it was not one. If it was, he never wanted to wake up.

The wolf tackled her and they fell into the water again. Her melodic and uncontrollable laughter filled the dawn making his heart swell in his chest. Her laugh kept an unending smile on his own face .

Tonight, she has taken another piece of your heart, Wolfaraine. You are falling in love with your mate .

For the first time in his life, Wolfaraine did not rebuke that voice. Or refute its words.