Page 84 of Purchased

“I do feel better. Not sure I’ve solved any problems, but I do feel better. What did you do with the bodies?”

“Don’t worry. I know you wanted them to have a proper burial. I dug new graves for them out in the middle of the countryside, and I filled them in, and I put stones in to make sure that wild animals wouldn’t get to them. They’re nice.”

I try not to look disapproving at the idea of her out there in the countryside, digging graves for men who had been buried once already. Most people and wolves would be disgusted and appalled by such a task. For Trixie, it is just another task that needed to be done.

“You’ll have to show me in a few days’ time, once the dust has settled. For now, we’re going to bed.”

“It’s like six p.m. We haven’t had dinner.”

“We’re having dinner delivered to bed and we’re staying here. This is the one place I can be assured we’re not getting into more trouble. Nobody gets murdered in the bed.”

“Is that like a rule, or…”

CHAPTER21

Armand

I decide to be responsible. I’ve avoided Volkov for quite some time for all the obvious reasons, the fact that he’s a judgmental fucker and is only of dubious use, and says things that piss me off every time he opens his mouth, and the fact that his big old tattooed self seems to think he is better than me.

But I’m going to see him, because he’s the one person I can say things to who can’t freak out about them. If I tell any of my pack mates all that happened, or how certain I am that Beatrix is so out of control that there is no reasonable, rational way to imagine containing her, I will sow discord and uncertainty.

“Surprised to see you,” he says.

He is such an asshole.

“I thought you were supposed to be quiet and kind and empathetic. I thought that’s what therapists are. Every time you open your mouth it’s snark.”

He smiles. “I simply said I am surprised you made another appointment.”

“Why?”

“I’m a therapist, Mr. de Lune. I am not an assassin for hire. Or a crime scene cleaner.”

“Oh, I see,” I growl. “You’re rubbing it all in my face.”

“I don’t know if I am rubbing it in your face, but the outdated, useless, and rather cruel practice of rubbing a pup’s nose in its business if it does it in the wrong place does come to mind.”

“So you are. I’ve come for therapy, and you’ve decided to be antagonistic.”

“No,” he says. “I’m sorry, Armand. This is a safe space.”

I laugh at that declaration, my voice taking on a slight edge of madness at the idea of any space being safe.

“The chateau is in chaos.”

“I don’t know that it is. I think you are, but the pack, as a whole, seems very calm and orderly to me. Most of the chaos seems to be contained to you and your mate.”

“That’s good,” I say. But I know there is a point at which it will affect them.

“Shall we discuss what happened a couple of days ago?” he suggests.

“Beatrix handled the whole situation much better than I did. She’s ahead of me in so many ways. The pack could be brought down completely. My lineage could end. And she is happily running about the place, evading the law…”

“Would you like to sit down?”

I stay standing—and pacing.

“She’s a monster. A menace. And I should be capable of handling her. And sometimes I think I am, but the police are…”

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