Page 42 of The Broken Wolf's Redemption

“Seren said that you wanted us all to have breakfast together because we missed a few Sundays and we had to catch up. Even though it’s not Sunday?”

“No, it’s not Sunday, sweetheart. It’s Wednesday. Mid-week.”

“I guess if we’re trying to make up for a Sunday it wouldn’t be a Sunday.”

“That’s right.”

She didn’t ask to be picked up and carried inside, thank goodness. Instead, she held the door for him like a tiny little adult.

“I woke up early and we had a tea party for breakfast,” Waverly babbled.

“That’s nice.”

“Yeah, and then Seren told me about wolf stuff. Like how it feels to have the wolf inside you after you’ve shifted.”

“She’s there inside you already, just waiting to make herself known,” he assured her.

I know at least the half that is your mom is wolf, and that’s enough for anyone, no matter who your father was.

“Seren said that too.” Waverly took his hand as he shut the door behind him.

All he wanted to do was grab Waverly and get back in the car, get his ass home and deal with the bullets. He’d always had a high pain tolerance, but this was pushing the envelope. He was ready to sway on his feet, not to mention that he could feel the blood starting to well up and drip down his thigh despite the tight bandaging.

“Did I do something to make the wolf not like me?” Waverly looked up at him anxiously, obviously sensing something was wrong.

“No, of course not!”

“It’s just, she won’t come out.”

“She’ll come out when she’s ready. Some don’t shift until they’re far older than you. There’s plenty of time and it’s not something to rush. You’ve done nothing to make your wolf angry. You’re just a little girl, Waverly.”

“I did something to make Mama go away.”

“No!” He couldn’t kneel without puking from the pain, but he cupped Waverly’s face gently and turned it up to him. Way, way up, but she met his eyes. Hers were so green and solemn. “No, your mother leaving had nothing to do with you. She left because she needed to. Some wolves have a broken spirit. A wandering spirit. Some get restless. It’s hard living in a human world. She had no pack and she was looking for me. She came to find me the only way she could.”

“I wish she was still here.”

“Me too.” If Lila was still alive, he wouldn’t be in this position. He’d never have to worry about messing up a child.

The floral, cherry watermelon scent of Seren preceded her into the room. She liked to dress in black and she sported a pair of ripped up jeans and a black tank that outlined her toned body and shapely breasts. “Rome.” She nodded at him. She had his envelope in one hand. “You must want to get going.” She held it out, nostrils flared wide as she breathed in.

Any wolf would be able to smell the blood on him, but it must be beyond obvious because even in her human form, she knew.

“Yes. I’m going to take Waverly back home.”

“Not to Brooke’s? You don’t need another ride?” Her tone was biting and clipped.

It was no less than deserved. If he’d had any other choice, he wouldn’t have come here. He didn’t want to be in Seren’s debt. He was beginning to understand that she wasn’t the only one who had been irrevocably screwed over by that contract. He was changing. He was the one becoming broken. Contained in this woman was the most dangerous force in the world.

Her presence now made his chest squeeze. He was afraid to reach out and take the envelope. Yes, afraid, of such a simple, ridiculous thing.

He knew there could never be another, but then there was Seren, with a completely different power over him.

“We’re going to get back home. Her sitter will be there shortly. I already called her and told her we were going to be late. I have to get to work.”

“Oh?” One brow shot up in challenge. The envelope never wavered and he finally forced himself to snatch it.

“Yes.” There was no scenario where he asked for Seren’s help to deal with this. That would involve her near, touching him. Her hands on his wounds.

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