Soren lets himself smile. “Sounds good.”
With his hand in mine, we leave the piers behind and head for his home.
We shared several more kisses, each sweeter than the last, before we parted ways for the night. I try to wipe the smile from my face several times as I return to my time and row to shore. I fear it’s become permanent. My brothers will surely be suspicious.
The village slumbers as I walk the road to my home, but the candles are lit inside the longhouse where Wulfric lives.Odd that he would be up so late. The front door opens, and my brother calls out, “Lyall.”
I freeze, heart dropping into my stomach. “Aye, brother?” I force a smile onto my face as I turn around.
Wulfric has his arms crossed, his brow furrowed.
Shit.
“Come inside. I need to speak with you.”
Thank the gods I had the good sense to shift to my wolf and roll around in leaves and dirt before returning to the village. Soren’s scent shouldn’t still cling to me. I hope.
Wulfric isn’t the only one up. Kieran smiles and waves from where he sits by the roaring hearth, nursing a cup of tea. “Hey, Lyall.”
“Alpha-Mate.” I dip my head.
Kieran rolls his eyes. “Quit it with the titles. It makes me feel all weird and important.”
I chuckle. “Because you are.”
A low growl makes me jump. Gunnar glowers at mefrom where he reclines against the wall, arms folded over his big chest. It’s the first time I’ve seen him in several days, and something has shifted. There’s a wide, feral look in his eyes, and when he speaks, it’s through a mouthful of fangs.
“Where have you been?”
I glance at Wulfric and find his expression just as grim as mine must be.
Our brother is slipping further into his wolf, and it’s happening faster than before. Ever since he found and rejected his fated mate, his wolf has been riding him hard. I can only imagine the conflict raging in his heart. His animal instincts would be howling to find Arlo, but Gunnar’s human half is determined to push him away.
It’s a dangerous game he’s playing.
“Answer me,” Gunnar snarls.
I flinch at the harshness in his voice. “I was visiting Anders and Jamie.” It’s not a lie. I do see them every time I visit.
“All day?”
My temper sparks. I fold my arms and stare my brother down. “Aye. I can go where I please, with whoever I please.”
“You spend too much time there. Have you forgotten they live among humans? What if they find out who you are?”
“Anderslivesthere. I never hear you pestering him about safety,” I snap. I know bloody well why he worries for me and not Anders. I was the one who fell for a human, a human he believes betrayed us. He thinks Soren’s a traitor, that I’m a gullible fool, and it makes my blood boil. “If I were you, I’d worry about yourself, brother. Have you looked in a mirror as of late?”
Gunnar curls his lip, revealing a pointed fang. “It isn’t safe for you to be there. If anything were to happen toyou—”
“Worry about yourself!” I snap. Gunnar has no business lecturing me about safety. None. He can’t even take care of himself—he won’t even try. It’s infuriating and terrifying to watch him lose himself to his wolf.
Wulfric clears his throat before I can argue. “Lyall, we only want to make sure that you’re safe. That’s all. Besides, Helga misses you at dinner, and we need you during hunts.”
Guilt sags my shoulders. Damn it all. Have I truly been that absent? “Apologies.”
“It’s all right,” Wulfric assures me. “You’re welcome to visit Anders, but remember your responsibilities here. Aye?”
Gunnar growls low in his chest. “Don’t be a fool, Wulfric. It’s not Anders he’s seeing. It’s someone else.”
