Page 26 of Cursed Wolf

“I was so scared you were hurt, I barely slept last night. In fact, I was lying next to you, hoping you’d wake up, but of course, you do when I pop out to use the bathroom.”

“I’m okay,” I say with brazen confidence. “Where’s Kaira? Are Ragnar and the others here?”

She takes my hand and brings me back to the bed. “Take a seat.”

Unease travels up my spine. “Is it that bad?”

“I don’t know.” She shakes her head. “We’ve been waiting for you to wake up so we can make sure you’re safe.”

“Okay, I’m here. Tell me,” I ask impatiently, sitting on the edge of the bed, then shifting a few times until I find a comfortable spot. Once I’m settled, Jae flops down next to me, touching my stomach and smirking.

“On a side note, I’m so excited to be an aunty, but last night, I realized I didn’t ask you if you were happy about it. I mean, I would be freaking out if it was me, but you seemed okay to be pregnant. Those men out there were going all baby crazy over you, with Nikos talking about building a cradle with wheels to carry the baby around. I never thought I’d see a Viking warrior go all gushy.” She giggles.

Her words have me grinning like silly to hear they’re just as excited as I am.

“The truth is, I’m still getting used to it. I love it, but it’s left me shell-shocked, and it’s the worst possible timing.”

“Is it ever the right time?”

I grin and run a hand over her long hair across her forehead, making a mental note I need to trim her hair as soon as things settle down.

“Guess not, but this is really a bad time with all the stuff happening.”

“I know, but whatever happens, you have us, and this little bub already has six people who love him or her.” Her lips form an O shape, and her eyes are just as round. “What if you have twins?”

“Okay, you’re giving me heart palpitations. Let’s not say that right now. I’m trying really hard not to even think about how I’m going to give birth without a midwife.” Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, I hold her against me. “But you’re right. We’ll always have each other. No matter what, we’ll be together. We’ll all live in a huge house with a large kitchen and a garden out back. You and Kaira will have your own rooms.”

“What about the guys?” she asks, smiling. “I just don’t think there’s a big enough bed for all five of you, plus the baby.”

“Didn’t I mention that as aunty, you get babysitting duties, including the little one sleeping in your room?” I tease, ruffling her hair.

She cuts me a narrow gaze. “I’m not saying no, but we’ll see about that.”

A comfortable silence falls in the room, and I finally ask, “So is Kaira free of the High Priestess?”

“Not quite, but she’s safe. Last night, after you used your magic on the High Priestess, you basically drew her energy into you, then knocked both of you out. She’s still inside Kaira, but she’s tied up and inside a protection spell, so she can’t escape.”

“How can she still be stuck?” I sigh heavily, the chill of the news hardening in my chest. “I did everything I could to get rid of the witch.” Part of me worried we’d come too late, and whatever Lyra drew from my mother had permanently fused her with my sister.

A tremble rushes down my spine at the thought we might never free Kaira.

“Stone has been reading Mother’s books all night to see if there are any spells or information about how to exorcise someone.” She chews on the corner of her lip.

I know she’s scared. She doesn’t have to say it, but I hear it in her voice. I don’t intend to put more fright into her.

“We’ll find a way. Nothing is ever permanent.” Coaxing a smile from her brings me a flutter of hope we can save Kaira.

The clatter of something heavy hitting the floorboards resonates, and I look toward the doorway. “What’s that?”

“Crius and Stone are attempting to put together the broken table and chairs so we have a place for breakfast. Ragnar and Nikos have gone to the local pack market to get food.”

Slowly rising to my feet, Jae places a pair of sandals in front of me to step into. I don’t ask whose they are and just wear them.

“Where’s Kaira?”

“In Mother’s bedroom. She’s still unconscious, but Stone is keeping a close eye on her. You know, it’s weird being here. I know Mother lived here, but to me, it doesn’t feel like her.” She shrugs. “Maybe I was too young when she left us to really remember her.” There’s heartache in her chest.

How could there not be? When I first found out Mother had excluded us from her life, I was hurt and jealous. It pains me to see Jae brushing the hurt away when I know deep inside, she’s upset.

---