Page 118 of Throne of the Wolf Queen

‘Is that Diego?’ Sorrow asked, glancing in the direction of the pathetic snarls.

‘Unless you know of someone else who’s trying to eat their way through my entire wardrobe?’

Sorrow furrowed her brows, and I grinned at the knowledge her gift unfurled as the terror let go, scrabbling away to the rest of the pack.

I leaned in, placed my mouth right over that spot and smirked as she shivered.

‘There are at least five types of cheese.’ A rash spread up her neck as I passed her Grace, kissing her neck and delighting in her smile. ‘I personally checked.’

‘You’re a terrible liar, Elmswood,’ she said, tucking Grace into the crook of her neck. ‘I’ll bet a sack of Vyrium you got Skye to do it.’

I barked out a laugh. Turning at the giggle of our boys, I opened my arms to Gabe and Ifan, wrapping them up and relishing their laughs as I swung them up.

As they talked over each other, demanding I listen to them both, I watched Sorrow. She crossed the entrance hall, standing beneath the portrait she’d never seen. She won about having the damn wolf in the painting and as I stared into his amber eyes, I’m so glad she did.

My breath still catches when Sorrow’s close. I can’t imagine a time will come when I’m never bowled over by her beauty, her fierce heart, her love. Tears caught in the back of my eyes as she and Skye checked that there was, indeed, cheese.

I barked out a laugh. No. Eternity with her will never be enough. She is my heart. My soul.

My wolf queen.

SORROW

Rosa was born to be the companion of a wolf queen.

It would take a lifetime to note all her attributes. Noble, obedient, loyal and fierce. I adore her more than I can ever put into words, but Pablo, she is not. I breathed against the pain that crashed into my chest the morning I found he’d finally left me and hasn’t abated since. The pain I can never escape.

But I am a queen. A wife. A mother. A mentor.

I could wallow in my rooms forever. But who would ensure the children weren’t eaten by the damn wolves? And as Matthias grumbled and I sent out a warning to Diego to leave the king’s trousers alone, I smiled knowing a part of my wolf still ran through his grandson’s rebellious veins.

I think I already know who my next lupine companion will be.

Matthias passed me a hunk of still-warm bread and I groaned as the soft cheese crumbled. Lifting my face to the rays of the sun, I closed my eyes, relishing the shards of light that pierced my lids with crimson strands. Grace had fallen asleep as I fed her, and now Rosa curled around my daughter. I rolled onto my front as the gulls cried above. They’d learnt there’s little point trying to steal from this queen’s picnic.

Matthias wrapped his arm around my waist and I shuffled closer. The familiar spark, a force greater than lightning, raced up my spine. I bit my lip and turned towards him. Knowing, just knowing, that smile lay on his face.

‘And what are you smirking at, Elmswood?’

He moved closer, placed a soft kiss to my jaw. I shuffled towards him, desperate to close the gap between us.

‘I was wondering if I’d be able to share the bed with my wife tonight?’ His breath warmed my cheek as he waited for the answer, for the permission he still sought.

I moved forward, unsure where his face was and giggled as I misplaced my kiss, striking the side of his nose. His lips brushed mine, so damn softly, and I groaned, moving closer and kissing him back. Gods, I missed his touch, his warmth.

‘I haven’t slept,’ I whispered.

He nuzzled my neck and my body melted.

‘Or me. I missed you, Sorrow.’

His mouth claimed mine and I pressed into him, smiling against the curve of his lips, before he pulled away.

‘I get you can’t see what’s going on, but the beach is packed, Sorrow.’

I giggled as he tucked me close, placed a kiss to my temple.

‘And if we carry on like that, we’ll be the rather un-family friendly entertainment.’