Page 44 of Snows Sinful Seven

“Silly men,” she huffs, shaking her head. “Don’t do things that hurt you just because you think you’re helping me.”

“It’s just gardening.” I chuckle.

“And it makes you sick.”

“It’s only really pollen and dust.” I shrug.

“Two things the outside seems to have a lot of.” She nods, sighing.

“It’s okay, I’ve gotten used to it.”

“Have you taken anything for it?” she asks.

“Yes and no. I’ve tried, but it makes me lose my appetite, so I don’t.”

“Oh, well, that’s no good then.” She frowns. “Does it make you not want to eat at all, or not as much?”

I look away, a bit of embarrassment hitting me.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to tell me.”

Turning back to her, I look into her stunning blue eyes and find myself wanting to tell her everything, to spill all my secrets.

“They make me lose my appetite. And not eating... it brings me back to a time in my life I’d rather forget.” Also, another side effect is making me feel tired, and as much as I love Sterling, we don’t need another person who sleeps all the time.

“Oh,” she whispers.

My eyes drift off to the trees, unable to look at her when I speak. “Before Dallas and the guys found me, I was on my own. My parents were killed by people who were scared of what they didn’t understand. It left me alone, having to fend for myself. Being a young pup with no means of taking care of oneself wasn’t easy. The pack my parents were in parted ways with them a long time before they passed. So there were times I’d go days without eating... until I was lucky enough to learn how to hunt. Not wanting to eat makes me feel like I’m missing out on the opportunity to eat. A part of me will always feel like maybe my next meal won't come. Stupid, eh?”

“No.” Her voice cracks and my eyes dart over to see hers filled with tears. “Not at all.” She steps over to me and wraps her arms around my shoulders.

I blink a few times before tightening my arms around her. Closing my eyes, I lean my head against hers and inhale her sweet apple pie scent. “I’m so sorry,” she whispers. “No one should ever have to feel that.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“No. But I have the power to make sure no one in my kingdom feels that way.” She pulls back, wiping at her eyes. I hate that I made her cry, but her caring enough about me to show this kind of emotion pleases me. She cares about me. About my past and my feelings. “And once my father is out of the way, I plan on doing just that.”

“Come on.” I hold out my hand. “It’s my night to help with supper.”

She smiles and laughs, taking it in hers. It’s so small and soft. I could crush it with just a small amount of pressure, but as we walk into the house, I hold it like she’s the most breakable, priceless thing in the world. Because to me, I think she just might be.

Chapter 12

Snow

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