Page 57 of Wolf's Reckoning
“Nothing is official,” the druid added. “It’s simply an option that Alpha Malric would like you to consider.”
“No,” I said. “It’s not anoption, it’s insanity.”
Wolfe’s mouth twitched. Just slightly.
I turned on him. “You could speak up any time.”
He raised a brow. “You’re doing plenty of speaking for both of us.”
“Then say it.Saythis isn’t what you want.” I could hear the plea in my voice, and I didn’t care.
He watched me and then finally shrugged. “What I want doesn’t matter.”
“Liar.”
He held my gaze. “I want peace. Stability. Safety for the pack. If this gives them that?—”
“You thinkusmarried gives themstability? You and I, as husband and wife, is the last thing that this pack needs!” My eyes narrowed on his. “Or is this just another of your power plays?”
“I don’t need to make apowerplay,” he said sharply. “Iamgoing to be the leader of this pack. I already have all the power here, and this pack will be mine.” He didn’t even have the grace to look at my dad, who lay there silently. “I think,” he said carefully, with a nod to my father, “that this pack needsunity. And if you weren’t so busy sharpening your pride into a weapon, you’d see it too.” He looked at Killian, whose features were carefully blank, but he winced when his companion looked his way. “This is the first time I’m hearing this too,” Wolfe added with a sigh. He gave mydad a rueful glance. “Not sure I agree with the method, but desperate times, I guess…”
“So…what you’re saying, what you expectmeto believe, is that you have no part in this lunacy?” I asked, the venom in my voice clear for everyone to hear.
“As much as it must disappoint you, princess, the idea of being your husband soured for me a long time ago.” He gave me a vicious grin. “I’d rather stick my dick into a nest of vipers than sleep next to you.”
Someone coughed to cover a laugh, and I had a sneaky suspicion it was one ofmypack.NotKillian, butLewis. I glared at them both anyway. When I looked back at Wolfe, he was looking at me, and he wasentertained.
The bastard was laughing at me.
I wanted to hit him. Really hard. Hit all of them. I wanted toburn it all down. I wanted to scream at them all, mostly my dad, for this crazy idea, but I couldn’t be the only one in the room losing it. It would only prove to them that I was an emotional female, and I had fought that stereotype all my life.
“It won’t work,” I told them flatly.
“Not with that attitude,” Killian mumbled, and I envisioned my claws in his throat.
I suppressed my sigh. “It won’t work because I can’tfakethis. I can’t…” I struggled to speak. “I can’t fake a relationship.” I refused to look at any of them. “Especially withhim.”
Wolfe laughed. Helaughed. “Who the fuck cares? No onecaresif you’re happy, princess. You were ready to marry one of those other idiots. The only difference in marrying me isthat I’m not an idiot, and you already know me.” His smile was sin as he looked me over. “And you know meverywell.”
“He’s right,” Dad said softly. “This marriage, if you both agree, protects you from those who only want you for what you can give them. Wolfe doesn’t need you for anything.” The harsh reality was bitter to swallow as my father continued. “If he agrees to this, he does you a favor, and he grants me peace as I leave this earth.”
“Peace?” I asked, tears threatening to spill.
My dad reached for me, and I took his hand. “How could I leave you alone, knowing no one was there to protect you, daughter?”
I couldn’t speak, my head bowed, a tear brushing over. “That’s a really shit guilt trip there, Dad,” I mumbled. “Emotional blackmail will win you no favors.”
I heard his raspy chuckle, and I took a moment to compose myself. When I lifted my head, I met Wolfe’s stare. He was completely closed off. Unemotional. Stoic. Ready to do whatever he needed to secure his pack.
Like a true leader.Fuck.
The urge to hit him was still strong. Instead, I said, “I’ll consider it.” I turned and walked out before any of them could see how hard it was to breathe.
I found Adair near the fire pit at the edge of the training grounds. She was sitting on the edge of one of the stone benches, legs folded, gaze on the embers like they were whispering secrets only she could hear.
She didn’t look up when I dropped beside her. “Let me guess,” she said. “You’re not here for warmth.”
“No,” I muttered. “I’m here to stop myself from clawing someone’s face off.”
