Page 49 of Wolfgang

Wolfe cocked a brow in mild surprise. “Didn’t I? How strange.”

“Notice how that’s still not an apology?”

Soren made a scoffing sound from his place on Gabe’s lap. “Like you’re one to talk about unprovoked aggression, Luc.”

Luc directed his sneer at the petite blond. “I thought I didn’t exist to you.”

“You exist when it suits me.” Soren waved a dismissive hand, then turned it back around to study his nails. “Get used to it.”

Jamie laughed, a surprisingly bright contrast to his mate’s glowering. “I like this one.” He nodded his chin at Soren’s footwear. “Great boots too.”

“Thank you.” Soren accepted the compliment with a gracious nod. “I officially declare you too good for him. Find yourself another mate.”

Lucien growled. “I did always so regret not breakingyourarm, Soren.”

“I’d like to see you try, asshole.”

The arguing continued, but Wolfe had officially had enough. The problem of the child was not going to be solved in this moment, especially with all the unhealed animosity in the air. Perhaps if the group was given an evening to vent their frustrations with one another, the next gathering would be more productive.

If not, Wolfe would hunt down the little creature himself.

He rose from his seated position and offered a hand to his mate. “I believe it’s time for us to take our leave.”

Eric, who’d been much, much too quiet the past half hour, blinked at him, a dazed look in his eyes. “It is?”

“Yes, darling. We have our own concerns to deal with.”We are our own concern, he wanted to say.We must address your disgust with me before it taints our bond beyond repair.Instead, he gave a nod to the room at large. “Keep us apprised of the situation with the vampire brat, would you?”

Danny rose from his seat, ever the polite host. “Of course.” He snapped his fingers. “Oh, Eric, I have something for you. It’s in the kitchen.”

Eric followed Danny obediently, and Wolfe watched them go, his patience fraying quite thin. He wanted Eric back in their home, back in his arms, back in his bed.

Wolfe felt a tug on his sleeve. He looked down to find Johann, still seated, offering him a plate. “Cookie, Wolfgang?”

“No, thank you.”

Johann set the plate down, but he didn’t let go of Wolfe’s suit jacket. “You told me you couldn’t love,” he said softly, too quiet for the other arguing vampires to hear.

Wolfe shrugged a shoulder. “I believe I told you I never had before.”

Johann’s brow furrowed. “You tricked me, you mean.”

“It’s not my fault you didn’t do your proper research,” Wolfe countered, too irritated to use his usual kid gloves. “There’s nothing to say people with psychopathic tendencies can’t love.”

Johann nibbled on his lower lip as he thought that over. “Why’d you let me think that, then?”

“Because you didn’t want a romantic relationship, and neither did I. I thought it would help you feel more certain in that.”

Johann’s gray eyes met his. “You were manipulating me.”

Wolfe was coming very close to losing his temper. What was the point of not hiding who he was with Johann if the little vampire was still going to act surprised when Wolfe acted true to his nature? “I don’t feel bad about it,” he said harshly. “Go to Alexei if you’re looking for sympathy.”

Johann didn’t look cowed in the slightest. “Did you let Veronique die on purpose, that day in the woods?”

Wolfe said nothing. He’d always wondered if Johann would figure that out, once his grieving had passed.

At Wolfe’s lack of answer, Johann nodded slowly. “You did.” He rose from the couch, straightening another one of his hideous sweaters. “I think I might be very mad at you right now, Wolfgang.”

“That would be well within your rights.”

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