Gunnar purses his lips, letting out a grumpy sound I can’t decipher.
“Hey.” I set down the oars, and we come to a stop in the middle of the lake. I put a hand on his knee and squeeze. His knee jerks, but not like he’s trying to buck me off, more out of shock. “It’s not you. I need you to know that. It’s all them.”
“I thought your father was just being overprotective. But your friend was the same way. It’s because I’m ulfhednar, isn’t it?” Gunnar asks, penetrating me with frustrated silver eyes.
I wince. “All right. Yes. My family has had trouble with ulfhednar before.” It’s not the full truth, but nor is it a lie.
“Did something happen?”
My heart sinks. “I…” I tear my gaze away and look out over the lake. Gunnar deserves the truth; I know he does. My turtleneck suddenly feels too tight.
“There was this—” The words escape me, like water through my shaky fingers.
“Lo?” His voice is almost drowned out by the roaring of my heart in my ears.
Shit, shit, shit. I can’t talk about this. I’ve got to get out of this boat.
“Can we go back?” The shore looks farther away than it did before. Oh goddess. I’m stuck here in this boat with a shifter.
“Oi.” Gunnar touches my knee, and though his touch is gentle, all I can imagine are claws sprouting, piercing through flesh down to the bone.
What if he loses control? What if—
“Lo!” Gunnar grabs for me as I bolt over the side of the boat and into the lake. It isn’t that deep but I lose my footing and water submerges me, muffling all sound. The cold bites into my skin, making my limbs stiffen.
Waves pelt me as a dark shape falls into the water beside me and two strong arms slip under my armpits. I gasp when I break the surface, kept afloat only by Gunnar’s arms. He kicks, propelling us toward the boat with his strong legs. He turns us so that I’m facing the boat. “Grab on, Lo. I’ve got you. I won’t let you fall.”
My hands are shaking so badly I can barely grasp the boat, but I manage. Gunnar helps me in and then heaves himself intothe boat after me. Grabbing a blanket from under the seat, he throws it over my soaking body. He’s saying something, but I’m too mortified to listen.
Goddess, what did I just do?
“What were you thinking?” Gunnar snaps as he grabs the oars and rows us quickly toward the shore.
“I w-wasn’t!” I retort, almost biting my tongue off from how badly my teeth are chattering. “I’m s-sorry!”
Gunnar exhales slowly, shaking his head. “Odin’s beard, Lo! You could have drowned! We’ve got to teach you how to swim.”
I blink water out of my eyes. “W-what?”
“You want me to accept your apology? Learn to swim. You’re not going to die. Not on my watch.”
The haunted look that shadows his face renders me speechless.
Fine. I’ll do whatever he wants.
Just so long as I never have to see that look on his face again.
The moment we’re home, Mum and Dad come rushing across the room.
“What happened to you two?” Mum asks.
“Boating accident,” I say.
Dad arches his brow. “You never go boating.” His icy gaze lands on Gunnar. “Not until he met you.”
Gunnar’s nostrils flare. “He needs blankets. Warm clothing. A hot bath. Now!”
“The bathroom’s right over here!” Mum leads Gunnar down the hall. I’m perfectly capable of walking, but Gunnar keepsme glued to his side, for which I’m grateful. His body is like a furnace. Thank the goddess wolves run hotter than most.
