Page 32 of Alpha Wolf's Arranged Bride
Watching her, I feel like a creep, but I also know I have to stay on guard and learn everything I can about the situation. As much as it hurts me, I know I probably can’t trust her.
“I can’t…” she mumbles. “Too far. Not him.”
I sit perfectly still, watching my wife, waiting to hear what her dreams might reveal.
“No way,” she whispers. “Must go—”
She turns her face away, and the end of the sentence sounds like a name.
David… or Duncan?
My fears about Scarlett working for some unknown purpose from Eccles vanish as my jealousy rises. No matter what secrets Scarlett might be hiding, to me, the biggest one is still Jarrod’s father.
She acts like it destroyed her when I left, so how did she end up getting pregnant? Were they in love? Did they get married? What happened to him?
I look down at Scarlett again, and her breathing is deep and even. Since she seems to have moved past REM, there isn’t much point in trying to listen to her anymore.
Not that it’s done me much good, anyway.
I turn over and stretch out, letting my mind work through the twisted thoughts I’ve just unearthed in my psyche. There’s no point trying to ignore my fears; that will just make everything worse. I have to face up to all my doubts, assimilate them, and move forward in a way that resolves them.
Military tactics. But I’m not sure it works the same when it’s your wife.
I feel like sleep will be a long time coming, and I’m surprised to see sunlight pouring into the room when I open my eyes.
I must have been exhausted. It feels like all I did was blink all night.
Even though my rest didn’t seem long, I feel refreshed as I get up. Scarlett’s side of the bed is a rumpled mess, and I hear noises in the kitchen that suggest she’s making breakfast.
I hurry to get dressed and join her, hoping that today, I might be able to resolve some of my fears. When I get to the kitchen, Jarrod is already at the table, and his face lights up with a bright grin.
“Morning, Dad!” he says cheerfully.
“Good morning, Jarrod,” I answer.
I cannot look into that sweet face and believe Scarlett would use him like this. I know undercover agents do it, though. Having a child with them is an excellent way of diverting suspicion.
“What did you dream about?” Jarrod asks me. “I had a dream about monster trucks.”
“I don’t remember,” I say, pouring myself a cup of coffee and sitting down with him. “So, tell me about your monster trucks.”
Jarrod happily launches into a detailed explanation of his dream, and I watch Scarlett sit down opposite me. We barely make eye contact, and the tension rises sharply between us.
Jarrod doesn’t notice, happily chattering away. I keep my focus on him, trying to ignore the uncomfortable silence between me and Scarlett.
He’s such a great kid. Any man would be proud to claim him. So where is his dad?
“What are we doing today, Dad?” Jarrod asks, pausing his exuberant ranting for a brief five seconds to take a big bite of pancake.
“I have to see the elders. I believe some of the women have asked your mom to meet them at the café. There will be a few other kids there, so you won’t be bored.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever be bored here,” Jarrod grins, taking a sip of milk and leaving a considerable amount on his top lip.
“I’ll get ready,” Scarlett says, getting up from the table without looking at me. The air between us is almost visibly frosty, but thankfully, Jarrod hasn’t noticed.
I chat with him until he finishes his breakfast, then I clean up the kitchen as Scarlett gets him ready. The silence between us stretches out like a taut string, ready to snap and send discordant notes through the entire orchestra.
I’m glad to be spending the day apart. I can’t take much more of this, and I don’t think she can, either.
