And that was where my eyes kept returning.
Once I gave birth, leaving the island would become nearly impossible. His offer tied me to him, and we all knew it for what it was—an underhanded tactic wrapped in provision and promises.
Why have you put his dick on the cons list?Bouda snickered.
No. I meant that he is a dick, I said, lying back against the pillow.
Would I even have a company left to go back to?
Why did you underline it three times?Bouda asked, playfully nudging me.
I rubbed my chest with a smirk.
Because he is a major dick.
Deny.
Deny.
Deny.
It was pointless lying to Bouda—she shared the same memories of the heat that I did.
We both knew I’d choose freedom.
The list had given me clarity. I was under no illusions about what Blaidd was. Fenrir, however, was bonded to us—biologically incapable of harming us. We were his only family.
You could work on reining Blaidd in, Bouda suggested.
I closed my eyes. The thought alone made my chest ache. I wasn’t capable of pretending. Or acting.
Think of it as a challenge. He is a mere male. They lack the mental capacity that we do, Bouda added with a sniff.
My grandmother and mother had run our household. Their opinions were respected. In truth, they made most of the decisions. If something affected everyone, it was discussed—openly, collectively.
Blaidd knew only one law.
His.
Aren’t dogs trained?Bouda snarked.If you bonded with him, you could manipulate any outcome.
The amusement drained from me. I frowned up at the ceiling.
Before you protest—it doesn’t have to be now. You can use the time to observe, assess the situation, and decide later.
Bouda grudgingly respected the wolf, but the human irritated her. There was no contradiction in that opinion.
Only time would tell what kind of fathers Blaidd and Fenrir would become.
The wolf had bound me through bond and heat.
The human was tightening the noose.
But ultimately, family dynamics had them both by the balls.
Or the knot.
Bouda cackled.
