Page 41 of The Wolf I Sworn To Hate

“But I didn’t. I will die, though, if you keep forcing me to lie down all the time. It’s driving me nuts. I’m fine. Okay. Just fine.” The frustration was evident in his voice.

Xyla sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. “Alright, you can get up, but you aren’t allowed to go outside without someone else with you.”

Edward frowned. “You’re being too paranoid. I learned my lesson. I’m not going out of sight of the building.”

“You’d better not. Sean risked his life to save your bacon. He could have easily fallen through the ice and died.”

“He’s saved my life twice. I guess that means I owe him a life debt. He’ll probably have to wait for me to get big to pay him back, though.”

Xyla giggled. “That’s just a thing on television.”

“No, it’s not. There are a lot of cultures that believe in life debts. Native Americans, Chinese, Japanese, Hindus, Buddhists, and many other cultures believe in life debts,” Edward said, in a matter-of-fact tone.

“How do you know all this stuff?”

Edward rolled his eyes. “I know how to read. What do you think I do when Dad is in one of his moods? I hang out in my room, at the library, or someplace like that and read.” He looked around the room, making sure that they were alone. “Sean was a wolf. I saw him turn into a wolf twice.”

“Yes. He turned into a wolf to get across the icy lake more easily so he could get to you and then drag you back. Then, when we were in the cave and you were so cold, he turned into a wolf so he could warm you up easier.”

“If Sean was going to kill us just because he was a shifter, he would have done it. He could have easily said that I drowned in the lake and that you got hurt and couldn’t make it back.”

Xyla shook her head. “You think about things way too much. But you are right. If he was a killer, he would have killed us out there.”

“I don’t care what you or Dad says. I really like Sean, and I trust him more than most people. He’s showed us that he’s a good guy.”

“I agree. I was wrong and Dad is wrong.” She sighed. “However, we shouldn’t really talk about that in front of him, just because I don’t want to hear it.”

“You’re lucky because you don’t have to live with him. When we get back, you get to go to your apartment, but I have to stay with him. He’s gotten worse lately and it’s hard living with him.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize that things were so rough. Why didn’t you tell me?”

Edward shrugged. “You don’t come around very often, and you were too busy to talk to me on the phone.”

“Baby Brother, I’m so sorry.”

“It’s alright. I can handle it.”

“That’s not fair to you. When we get back, we’ll figure out a solution. I’m out of school, but I have to get a job. Maybe you can stay with me and Abigail. She would spoil you rotten.”

“Dad would never let me live with you guys.”

Xyla said, “We’ll see.”

Edward stood up. “Okay. I’m going outside. I won’t walk away, and I’ll make sure that I can always see the building so I won’t get lost.”

Fear gripped Xyla’s heart, although she knew that she was being unreasonable. He had learned his lesson and Sawyer had given him a clean bill of health.

She went into the dining room and saw Sean, Sawyer, Marcie, and Ellie playing spades. A flash of jealousy slammed into her.

I have no claim on Sean. He’s been a good friend and we’ve had sex. That’s it. There were no promises of anything.I’m the one who initiated the sex.She smiled.I’ll never regret it, either.

Xyla walked over to the four of them, pulled out a chair, and sat down. “I’ll be your scorekeeper.”

“Sounds good,” Ellie said, pushing the paper and pen over to her.

Sean and Marcie were partners, who were playing against Sawyer and Ellie, the latter ahead.

Sawyer and Ellie won. Sean stood up and stretched. “Good game, guys. I think I’m going outside for a walk.”

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