Page 98 of Throne of the Wolf Queen

‘You’d make a fine cloak,’ I said as he snapped those massive jaws and leapt from the bed.

I blew out a long breath as I backed away. Throwing on my trousers, I narrowed my gaze at the chair.

‘Didn’t Sorrow leave her dress here?’ The wolf padded over, his claws scraping against the floor as he cocked his head. A sharp ache contorted my guts. Where the hell was Sorrow? Her wedding dress remained in a heap where I’d thrown it last night, but the dress she’d laid out for today? I’d no concerns about her leaving me behind; she was more than capable of looking out for herself.

But the wolf?

I met his amber gaze as he stalked towards the door, the great muscles beneath his shoulders tightening with each step. My guts rolled as I crossed to the dress, shaking it out even as I knew Mother’s ring wasn’t there. Swearing, I tore open the drawers, throwing the meagre contents aside. Nothing. The wolf snarled, pawing the door. Shit. She’d gone. I grabbed my boots, throwing a shirt over my shoulders, and threw open the door.

The wolf prowled alongside as we navigated the corridors of The Alliance. I’d never seen so many bodies in this place. The fear of the empress created bonds as frail as cobwebs between those who’d only harboured hate until recently. Sarus, tall and elegant in her teal dress, waved.

‘Matthias! Enfys and I have⁠—’

‘Sorry. Have you seen Sorrow?’ I asked, glancing over her shoulder to where my sister and Asher approached, hand in hand.

‘Sorrow?’ Her brows furrowed. ‘You’ve lost your wife already?’ Her laugh died as she noted my worry.

Asher fixed his jaw as he let go of Skye. He sighed. ‘And what, my king, did you do this time?’

‘Nothing…’ I think. Last night had been everything I’d ever imagined my wedding night to be. No, more. Pablo whined and Asher’s eyes widened.

‘I’m sure she’s fine,’ Skye said, wringing her hands despite her calm tone. ‘I bet she went to get breakfast.’

‘Without Pab?’ Asher asked, and we all turned to the wolf, his head low, nostrils flaring.

Sarus shook her head. ‘I’ve just come from the halls. I broke my fast with Enfys and Cai. She wasn’t there.’

I stared around, flexing my fists and half-expecting her to turn a corner, a scowl on her face to see how worried we were. But the knot writhing in my stomach told me that wasn’t the case.

I tugged the wolf’s fur. ‘Time to show me how useful you are, rug. Where is she?’

We turned, and Oskar, the babe Romero chose over his wife, squealed as the wolf came face to face with the pale prince.

Skye placed him back on his feet as I nodded and stepped past the boy. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she said. ‘But we’re looking for Sorrow. We’ll⁠—’

‘She’s out there.’ We all spun as the boy pointed to the double doors leading outside.

‘Alone?’ Asher asked harshly, and the boy glared at him with a look far too reminiscent of his father.

‘No.’ His grey eyes widened as he looked at the wolf again. ‘I thought it was funny she didn’t have’ – he waved his hand at Pablo – ‘him. But she was with King Cai, so I didn’t⁠—’

‘Cai?’ Sarus interrupted. ‘She can’t have been. I’ve been with him since dawn. And Enfys.’

Oskar narrowed his eyes. ‘It was Cai. I’m not stupid. Or blind.’

Anger filled my chest till Sarus turned him about.

‘Oskar,’ she said, ‘this is important. Are you sure it was Sorrow?’

‘Yes.’ Tears filled his grey eyes. ‘They walked straight past me. Didn’t even say hello. I thought… well, she can’t see me, can she? But Cai? I wondered if I’d done something wrong, because he always says hello.’

I turned as a sharp tap on my shoulder caught my attention. Raine stood there, a questioning look on their face. My shoulders slumped as the panic spread through me, but perhaps I’d need their help. Sighing, I signed as quickly as I could. The second I spelled Cai’s name, Raine grabbed my arm.

‘Cai is there, eating breakfast.’ They pointed back to where the dining halls lay. The wolf snapped at the corner of my untucked shirt. We’d both had enough of this. We could spend all day getting the truth, but the twist in my guts told me I had to find her. I signed quickly for Raine to follow and, with everyone on our heels, we tore away from The Alliance.

The wolf flew through the grounds. Despite how my boots thundered over the damp leaves, he kept halting, glaring over his shoulder, before tearing off again. Sarus had remained behind, her shouts about keeping Oskar safe lost to the crashing of my heart.

My lungs burned, but I wouldn’t slow. Couldn’t. Not when every part of me screamed that Sorrow needed me. I almost slammed into the wolf as I skidded to a stop, his flanks heaving as hard as my own as he lowered his head. I looked up, stood straighter. Curled my fists as I stormed towards the figure stood within the shade of the trees.