Page 64 of Cursed Wolf

“What’s the problem, then? They want you to stay with Harmony and us,” Jae insists. “It makes sense.” My sisters turn toward me, wearing quizzical expressions.

“That’s the hard part. I can’t bear to leave her side and would feel like the world’s most horrible mother. But I’ll cry with worry every day when the four of them are away. They are going to hunt Martell, and I’m worried they’ll get hurt when I could have helped them if I was with them.” Realizing I’m ranting, I sigh and pause.

They crawl across the bed to hug me.

“Whatever you decide, we’ll support you,” Kaira murmurs, snuggling up against my side.

“I have an idea.” Jae latches onto my arm. “Kaira and I can look after Harmony, along with Deborah, since she’s breastfeeding Harmony.”

I frown at her. I’ve tried so hard but can’t produce enough milk to feed Harmony. Luckily, another woman who’s just had a child has agreed to feed my baby girl.

My sisters are still young, and I made myself a promise to give them the chance to enjoy life and not grow up too quickly.

“What?” Jae says. “I have it all worked out. Deborah has a baby, and when she’s not feeding, she needs someone to look after her little one during the day. We’ll move in with her… oh, and I have a name for our business.”

Kaira’s laughing. “Go on, let’s hear it.”

“The Cub Club.” She nods with a huge smile. “It’s amazing, right?”

“It’s actually really clever,” I reply. “I love it, but I’m not sure what to do.”

“So, with this Cub Club, do we get paid?” Kaira asks.

Jae frowns. “Well, if Deborah is helping us out with Harmony, we can’t charge her anything.”

“Yes, but this pack is huge, and I’ve seen other babies and small kids. I’m sure the parents would love an hour or two of peace.”

“Hmm.” Jae taps her chin with her index finger.

I love how well they work together.

“I’m sure you’ll work it out, but it sounds like a good venture. Maybe you should run it past Meira first?”

Jae’s eyes light up, and in seconds, they scramble off the bed, put their shoes on, and dart out of the room.

“We’ll be back soon,” Kaira calls out as the door shuts behind them.

The door closes with a heavy thud, waking Harmony. Crying, she grizzles as I hurry over to her and lift her into my arms.

“Hello, my gorgeous girl. How did you sleep?” I kiss her face, loving the way she smells. Cradling her against me, she quiets down. I move to take a seat on the lounge and run a gentle finger over her face, which she loves. She stares up at me, making me teary to think she is mine.

When I think about my argument with Ragnar, my insides twist, and my stomach hurts because I don’t know what I should do.

“I love you.” I kiss Harmony again. “If you could speak, I know what you’d tell me to do.” With a heavy breath, I push the thoughts aside, hating the straining ache in my chest each time I think about what comes next.

19

STONE

We left at the crack of dawn while everyone still slept. With Crius and Nikos, Ragnar and I popped in to say farewell to Narah and Harmony with a kiss, even if they were both sleeping. I’m going to miss them incredibly, but we’re doing this for them, for our baby’s future.

Since we jumped on horseback at the compound, Ragnar’s silence stretches out for most of the trip. He’s pissed. Jae told me last night he’d had an argument with Narah because she insisted on coming along, and he denied her.

I understand both sides, but sometimes, a hard decision has to be made for the benefit of the innocent—Harmony. It would be incredible to have a sorceress on our side. I’m under no illusion that we aren’t outnumbered, although with half a dozen of Ragnar’s men stationed up north and infiltrated into other packs, I feel better that we have eyes on the inside.

We’re not going there to declare a world war but to eliminate the bastard Martell before he gets the upper hand. Warfare is so much more than the clash of two powerful armies. Most of the time, the biggest battles are held in the shadows and behind the scenes.

“We’re coming up on the tavern,” Nikos announces, his attention on Ragnar. Crius flanks the rear of our travels.

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