Page 15 of The Wolf and the Chimera
“There they are,” the Sovereign greeted. His smile was a poorly disguised baring of teeth. “My guests of honor.”
“Sovereign,” I said flatly.
“Please,” he urged, “call me Lyall. We’re family after all.”
Gods, I hate him.
I hated his politician’s voice and his fancy clothes and the arm he draped over my mother’s narrow shoulders. As he recognized my agitation, I hated the smugness in his smile.
Behind him, Dad entered the room. When his gaze clashed with mine, he shook his head. Though wolves could send each other telepathic messages in wolf form, they lackedthat ability in their human bodies. I didn’t need that method of communication. His message was clear, and it wasn’t the first time I’d heard it.
He’s not worth it.
Before I could stop her, Elle walked around me and stuck out her hand, which Lyall eagerly shook.
“I’m Elle Riley,” she introduced herself.
I realized it was the first time I’d heard her full name. I hated how little I knew her and how most the time we’d spent together had been with our lives at risk, though a sick and selfish part of me was grateful for the excuse to be near her. We both knew if Elle didn’t need my protection, she would’ve kicked my ass to the curb already.
I had a much better chance of proving my devotion with teeth and claws than I did with heartfelt declarations.
I hated that the Sovereign was touching her. He didn’t deserve any part of her, not even the softness of her palm. As he inhaled, his nostrils flared, and my thoughts went wild.
Unclaimed, unclaimed, unclaimed.
My wolf’s hackles rose, and I barely suppressed his dominance. The urge to claim Elle—to sink my teeth into her neck and mark her as mine—was so overwhelming, I locked every muscle in my body to keep from lunging for her like an animal.
Claiming and being claimed was a choice for both parties. It was an act more intimate than sex and more binding than any human ceremony. Claiming solidified the gaps between two mates’ souls. It was so sacred, it wasn’t discussed lightly—I had never even told Freya about it.
It wasn’t something to throw in another wolf’s face by scenting their mate.
As the Sovereign’s glacial blue eyes tracked my reaction, his lips twitched upward. The urge to rip out his godsdamned throat rivaled the urge to claim my mate.
“It’s lovely to meet you,” Elle continued.
Her words stole the Sovereign’s attention, and I took adeep, calming breath. Lovely wasn’t the word I would use, but the Sovereign—Lyall—preened at her politeness.
“Indeed,” he said. He surveyed her form like someone would examine an expensive artifact, and I barely contained a growl. “You’ll make a wonderful addition to the estate.”
“A temporary addition,” I amended.
“Of course,” Lyall agreed. He glanced behind him at the door. “Shall we?”
Everything felt like it was happening too fast. I had come to my father for a sense of safety only to find myself on the precipice of trusting two people I couldn’t stand with the other half of my soul. Elle and I didn’t get along, but the thought of losing her again—before we even got the chance to know each other—sent chills down my spine. I couldn’t face that panic again. My skin tightened and itched with the urge to shift, as if my wolf form could protect her from the threats mounting on all sides.
“I understand the fear driving you mad,” Lyall said gently. “The urge to protect a mate can be overwhelming, but you can’t let it control you. It would only do Elle more harm.”
Though his logic was sound, I ignored the Sovereign and looked at my father.
“This is the best option?” I asked.
He sighed, and the defeated look on his face made me want to damn everything and stay with him.
“It’s the best one I can think of,” Dad said. He ran a hand through his hair. “Trust me, I’ve thought about it a lot.”
The last thing Dad wanted was for us to leave, but he understood it was the safest option for all of us. Though I didn’t trust Kalli or Lyall, I trusted Dad. With that in mind, I grabbed Elle’s hand, gestured toward the door, and tried to ignore my churning stomach.
“Let’s go.”
