Page 40 of Wolf

I studiously ignore the fact that Wolf did indeed leave me without a word because if I dwell, I know I’ll regret it.

As it stands, I’m still processing what happened in that room. It was wonderful, amazing and something I will remember forever. However, Wolf left me lying on that bed feeling achingly exposed.

Beyond that, I can’t help but to consider what we did in terms of Daddy’s teachings. I sinned…but am I truly repentant?

When we roll up to the spot where I met Duke for the first time, which feels like a lifetime ago now, I stare at the entrance to the park and ask, “Duke?”

“Yup.”

Turning to him, I study his face and realize he’s a less stern version of his brother with blue eyes instead of stormy gray but the same dark hair and pretty lips.

“Is Miriam, okay?”

His eyes widen before he shrugs and says, “Yeah. She’s good.”

“And the baby?”

Miriam looked so miserable and now I’ve added my parents and their evil plans to the mix. Ugh.

“They’re both fine,” he says with a smile. “You’re just like your sister. Stop worrying.”

“Right,” I mumble. Why issheworrying? Gah, this is so maddening.

Turning to the door, I clutch the knob and ask, “Is she safe with your club?”

I see his brows furrow in the reflection of the window before he says, stiffly, “The MC is a brotherhood, and if you’re asking me if I would let anything happen to her, the answer is no. Why do you ask?”

“Um, just curious.”

I can’t exactly blurt all the questions I have. How dangerous is it to be MC as he called it? Could something happen to him or Wolf? What about Miriam? Can they protect her from our parents?

“Look,” he says. “Miriam is one of us. The brothers would die to protect her.”

I guess that answers one of my questions but leaves me with so many more. If they’re willing to die for her, then that means dying is a possibility. Why?

“Thanks,” I say softly before entering the woods.

The walk is peaceful, but my gut is in knots wondering what I’m facing when I get home.

As a last-ditch effort to at least save me the heartache of additional punishment for my clothes, I manage to sneak in through my bedroom window only to stop short at the sight of Rachel sitting on my bed.

She looks up from her book and sets it aside before crossing her arms.

My stomach sinks at that because Rachel enjoys being the favorite. If this had been Mercy, I’d have stood a better chance.

“What?” I ask, grabbing my nightshirt off the bed and stripping.

“Where were you?”

“Out.”

Once I’m changed, I stuff my dress back in the hamper and sit down beside her.

“You might want to wash your face,” she says, raising a brow.

With a gasp, I stop before the mirror and wince at the makeup running below my eyes. I look like a raccoon. Did Wolf seriously…do what he did while I looked likethis?

Shoot. No wonder he went running.

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