Page 38 of Auctioned Wolf Bride

Rand’s eyes met mine, and I nodded my appreciation. He winked, giving me a half-grin that only I could see as he steered Astrid toward the door.

“We’ll be back in a few hours, all right?” Astrid called.

“Take as long as you need,” I called back. “Have a fun date night.”

When the door closed behind them, I let out a long exhale and went to flop on the couch. I closed my eyes, taking a deepbreath. After everything, I was glad for some time to myself. Everything had felt like a whirlwind since all the chaos started.

I felt that frustrating tug as my thoughts drifted as they always did nowadays, it seemed, to Tannen. I wished he were here. I didn’t want to admit how badly I wanted him, but I did. Whenever my mind drifted to thoughts of him, I typically tried to shove them away, certain that they weren’t my thoughts and emotions but the claiming bond’s. This time, however, I let the thoughts of him wash over me, savoring them as I started tipping into unconsciousness.

A knock on the door woke me up. I shot up, heart hammering, mind spinning. For a wild moment, I was certain that Damien and the others had found me again. Except Damien was dead, and they wouldn’t bother with knocking. They would have burst through the door and dragged me out.

The knock came again. This time, it was familiar, one I’d heard dozens of times since moving to Brixton. I sucked in a breath, my heart thundering as I realized who was at the door. Tannen. My pulse raced as my wolf stirred, raising her head as if hoping to catch a whiff of his scent. Why was he here?

For a moment, I considered pretending I wasn’t home. We’d agreed that seeing one another was a bad idea. All it would do was strengthen the bond. But I wanted to see him. I never thought I would have said this, but I missed him.

I pushed myself off the couch, limbs sluggish as they shook off sleep. I moved slowly, making my way through the hall and to the front door. My fingers twitched, but my hand stayed by my side as I stared at the door handle, wondering whether I should keep the door closed or open it.

We’d agreed not to see one another. Walking away would be better for both of us. Wouldn’t it?

Just as I made up my mind to not answer the door, I reached for the handle and pulled it open.

Tannen had his hand up, prepared to knock again. He lowered it when he saw me.

“Hey,” he said. “How are you doing?”

“Fine.” Why did he have to look so gorgeous? I pushed those traitorous thoughts from my head even as I remembered that night in the cabin, thinking about how badly I wanted it to happen again. I coughed. “Is everything all right? What happened?”

“Everything’s fine,” Tannen replied. He shifted back and forth, almost as if he was embarrassed or nervous.

“Oh.” My shoulders relaxed, and I breathed a little easier. I gave a small smile. “That’s good. I was worried it had something to do with the kidnappers. In that case, Rand isn’t here. I can let him know you came by, though.”

“I’m not here for Rand.”

I paused, heart pounding a little. “Then why are you here?”

He frowned, folding his arms. “Why do you think? I wanted to see you.”

My stomach somersaulted at the words, and my mouth went dry. I could feel the blush creeping up my face. I remembered that night at the cabin, what it had felt like to have him inside me, his muscles pressing against me. I thought about how I had been able to open up to him at the safe house, talking to him in a way I hadn’t been able to with anyone else. I thought about the way he made me laugh, and how safe he made me feel.

I shoved those thoughts away, trying to hold onto a modicum of self-control while I desperately wanted to press my mouth to his and drag him up to my bedroom.

“This is a bad idea, Tannen,” I said. “You know we agreed not to see one another for a reason.”

He shrugged. “You think I don’t know that? I wanted to stay away. Really, I did. I thought it would be better for all of us. But I couldn’t. I can’t get you out of my head, Thea. I don’t like being away from you for this long.”

My heart thudded. I hated admitting that I felt the same way about him. Even with my stomach clenching, doubt gnawed at my insides, a kernel of reality nagging at the back of my mind. It was a sweet sentiment, one that would have made any woman swoon with glee.

It might have for me, too, except I knew the truth. This wasn’t him talking. It couldn’t be. This was the claiming bond, pure and simple. I knew him well enough to know that none of this was about me.

“I appreciate the thought, Tannen,” I finally said, forcing the words out, knowing it was the right thing even as part of me screamed in protest. “But we both know what’s really going on here.”

“Maybe I don’t care anymore.”

The words slammed into me, only adding to the need building inside me that I was desperately trying to ignore.

I fully intended to tell him to leave. But before I could get the word out of my mouth, I was stepped to the side, gesturing for him to come in.

His scent of charred oak and vanilla wafted past as he moved inside. I stayed quiet, trying to keep control as we walkedthrough the hallway. This was a horrible,horribleidea, but I couldn’t stop myself.

---