Page 64 of Moon Craving

not happy at the king's edict to cede the disputed boundary land to him.

"She is surprising."

Talorc felt a growl build in his chest at Niall's words, but he merely grunted in reply

to Niall's comment.

There was no reason for the jealousy burning inside him. Niall had a mate, though

the youth seemed oblivious to the connection between them. Humans could be funny

about the natural way of things.

Regardless, Niall would never be untrue to his mate, even if the scarred Chrechte

warrior never lay true claim. He was, in fact, the safest of companions for Talorc's wife.

Even his wolf recognized that.

And yet, the jealousy remained.

If he had known taking a wife would come with such complications, Talorc would

have put his king off, recommending his sovereign choose a different laird to bestow the

honor on. Even as he had the thought his wolf growled viciously in response to the idea of

Abigail married to another.

And Talorc knew his frustrated thinking for the lie it was.

"She is not afraid of me," Niall said, bringing Talorc's attention back to the soldier.

"I noticed."

"I think she likes me."

Talorc would shift to wolf form and tear the other man's throat out if he thought Niall

meant any disrespect, but he knew the scarred warrior did not. "She does not see the

scars."

"Nay." Niall seemed bemused by that fact.

Talorc did not answer. There was nothing to say. Niall frightened most women of

their clan. Most of the men, too, when it came down to it.

"She sleeps in your arms as if she trusts you with her very life."

"Does she have a choice?" He was her husband. She had no better protection.

"No," Niall acknowledged, "but she is not afraid."

"She fears something." He'd noticed the trepidation right away and believed that

meant she was weak. Now he wasn't so sure.