Page 207 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

Paul’s head whipped up. His gaze met Ivy’s.

For a brief moment, the overwhelming sense of dread was replaced by a piercing joy that made Ivy clutch at her chest, a little sound escaping her lips.

‘Are you okay, Ivs?’ Siobhan asked, her arm going around Ivy’s shoulders as if to steady her.

‘Fine,’ she managed to get out as she returned Paul’s gaze, unable to break it.

Mariella touched Paul’s arm, drawing his attention back to her and the moment was broken.

She looked around. Had anyone else noticed? But everyone else was chatting and laughing as they headed up to the cabin that housed the change rooms. The only person who seemed the least concerned was Siobhan—and her concern was aimed at Ivy.

‘I’m fine. I promise.’ Siobhan’s frown deepened into a ‘don’t shit me’ look. ‘The bumpy ride here just made me feel a little car sick, that’s all,’ Ivy lied. ‘I just need some air.’ She gestured up the hill where Paul and Mariella were almost at the cabin. ‘Come on. We can’t find out anything down here.’

Siobhan nodded, but kept her arm around Ivy as they went up the hill—bloody protective soldier. She really did love her friend, but she was being ridiculous. There was nothing to worry about. Whatever had made her sick had gone and she was fine. Just needed to build up her strength again, that was all.

But as she neared the cabin where Paul had disappeared inside with Mariella, that feeling of dread built again, and it was hard not to shake in the face of it.

She went into the female change room and quickly threw her clothes into a locker and wrapped a towel around her, hoping that Siobhan didn’t notice her hands trembling or the tension that vibrated through her. Goddess, this feeling in her chest was awful. If it was Paul’s, how the hell was he still walking and talking let alone smiling at his prospective partner. And why dread? That wasn’t what she’d felt the night of the mating ceremony, or the echoes of what she’d felt since. And why was she still the only one feeling this?

She really needed to find out what the hell was going on because she didn’t like this connection one bit.

As she rushed out of the change room, she smacked into someone coming out of the male changing room.

Warm, strong hands steadied her.

That joy pierced her again and she smiled up at him.

She looked up into vibrant blue eyes.

‘Ivy.’ Her name was whispered, a plea.

‘Paul.’

His fingers tightened on her arms, his gaze dipping down to her lips. He swayed towards her—or did she sway towards him? Goddess, she wanted to feel his lips on hers. She’d never wanted anything so much.

Laughter sounded from behind her.

Paul let her go, blinking rapidly, the expression on his face tortured. ‘Sorry. Sorry.’

‘Sorry for what?’ she asked, uncertain about what had just happened, or almost happened.

He shook his head, whispered harshly, ‘You can’t be here. Go. Please go.’

She didn’t have a chance to respond as a voice from behind her said, ‘Oh, you waited for me, Paul.’

He stepped around Ivy and held his hand out for Mariella. ‘Of course. I wanted to make sure you and your friends had a bottle of water before we head up to the springs. You need to keep yourself hydrated.’

‘I didn’t bring one.’

‘No problems. There’s plenty in the car. Let’s go get you one. Excuse me, Ivy.’

They moved around her and disappeared outside.

She stood there, breathing in and out deeply, trying to stop the racing of her heart and the feeling like she was about to throw up. Why had he asked her to go? Why tell her she couldn’t be here?

Something was dreadfully wrong. Not just with Paul, but with her. And she needed to find out what before it drove her insane.

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