Page 42 of Wolf Marked

He was trying to raise a smile out of her, but her lips stayed in a stiff frown. She saw nothing funny about this. Not one bit.

Silence enveloped the tent, and the minutes dragged by.

“I heard you fought off some of Jerrick’s scouts. Even killed one.” Filip attempted to change the subject. He even wrapped an arm around her and drew her into a side hug. “And here I thought you were just my baby sister, not some wild, vicious beast.” He laughed again, but this time, the natural rumble to it told her it was genuine. “Go on. Say it—I can take it. I know you want to. Say it.”

A whisper of a smile touched her face as she peered up at him. “I told you so,” she muttered.

“What was that?” He leaned in closer. “I couldn’t hear you.”

Astrid chuckled. “I told you so! I told you letting me train with you wouldn’t be a waste of time.”

“There it is!” The corners of his eyes crinkled as he grinned. “I’m sorry I ever doubted you, Ash.”

“Maybe now you can let more women join in your training sessions?” she asked.

“We’ll see,” he replied. “Although I don’t think many women are keen on learning to fight, like you.”

“I think you’d be surprised.”

Filip rose from the bed and walked to the tent’s entrance. “Mila and I are only a few tents down, if you need anything.”

“Filip, wait…” She stood. There was one more thing she needed to ask her brother, something that had been nagging her for some time.

He spun around. “Yes?”

Astrid took a deep breath. “How did you know Mila was your mate?”

Filip tilted his head to the side, pondering her question for a few seconds before answering. “The moment I stepped into Rohan’s pack to deliver Father’s message and saw her there, I felt it. She was meant to be mine forever.”

Astrid had almost forgotten that Mila had once been part of Rohan’s pack. She had adjusted to their pack so easily after meeting Filip, it was difficult to believe she had belonged to any other.

“So you knew right away? As soon as you met her?” she asked. That wasn’t good news for her and Erec. She still wasn’t sure what it was between them—if it was lust, infatuation, or love. Maybe it was all of the above?

Filip gave her a teasing look, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Why do you ask?”

She narrowed her gaze on him.

“It’s Erec, isn’t it?” he pressed.

Astrid’s mouth fell open, but she didn’t know what to say so she clamped it shut again.

“I had a feeling…” he jested. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

That took her aback, and a strange fluttering sensation filled her belly.How does he look at me?

“He protected you against Jerrick’s scouts, and just the way he reacted when Claus spoke your name before—he cares for you. I like him.”

Filip approved, but that wouldn’t mean much if Erec wasn’t really her mate. She hadn’t felt that same certainty Filip had with Mila. If anything, she was more confused than ever about her feelings toward Erec. But what did that mean, exactly? Was this not the match she had hoped it was—the one they needed to break the curse and save them?

“I don’t know if it’s Erec.” Through the mess of her thoughts, she found her voice again. “And now that you say that about Mila, I’m even more doubtful. I didn’t have any kind of magical moment like that. I’m still…not sure.”

Filip closed the distance between them and put a hand on her shoulder. “It’s different for everyone, Ash,” he said. “Sometimes it takes a little longer for people to realize than others. It’s all part of the risk.” His grin touched the corners of his eyes, drawing a smile from her, too. “But when you finally do know it, you’ll know it. With every fiber of your being. Believe me. It’s a feeling like no other.”

He turned away from her and strode back to the door. “I think this is it for you,” he whispered. “He’s the one who’s going to save you. He has to be.”

The hopefulness in her brother’s voice before he left reminded Astrid how little time she had left before the Blue Moon and the final stage of the curse. He was just as eager as she was that she’d survive it, but despite Filip’s assurance, Astrid’s nerves were still a jumbled mess. Filip had known Mila was his mate immediately, as if it’d been fate. Although Astrid felt many things for Erec, hesitance was included in that list, too. Was finding a mate really different for everyone, like Filip had claimed? Or was he just trying to keep her from worrying more? She didn’t know, but the chance Erec wasn’t her mate wasn’t going away; it loomed over her like a storm cloud, ominous and threatening. There was no escaping it.

Once night fell, the steady pounding of drums replaced the familiar sounds of the crackling fire and the occasional mutter of passing voices. Then came the melodic drone of a horn, followed by the rattle of a tambourine. It was enough to spike Astrid’s interest and draw her from her tent again. She stepped outside. The bonfire’s flames were even higher than before, igniting the camp in a brilliant orange and gold light. The heat kissed her cheeks, making her smile. Like Erec had promised, the crystal stones surrounding their camp glowed a vibrant pink under the moonlight, matching the same fiery hue that smeared across the sky every time the sun rose and set. It was breathtaking.

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