Page 44 of Alpha Wolf's Arranged Bride
Having her scent rising around me while these memories flow through my mind makes the pressure inside almost unbearable. I want to reach over and grab her, press my lips to hers, and erase all our doubts and confusion with the passion that ignited between us then—and still burns between us now.
I know she can feel it. More than once, I’ve caught the scent of her and known she’s aroused… I would never dare touch her if she were unwilling, but I know she still has feelings for me. Holding back from her is the worst torture I’ve ever known.
Thoughts of Scarlett lull me into a dull stupor, and I fall into a light sleep. My dreams are full of her—the sweet taste of her on my tongue, her warm skin against mine, her scent engulfing my senses, making me forget the world and all the pain in it.
Almost mad with lust, I reach out for her, only to flip over and wake suddenly. It only takes me a second to realize I’m alone.
Where is she?
A floorboard creaks in the hall, and I slip out of bed to sneak over to the door and peer out towards the landing. I see Scarlett walking slowly towards the stairs, looking around furtively.
I want her to think I’m asleep. Then I can see where she’s going.
I wait until I hear her feet on the stairs before I follow her. I tilt my head down the hallway to make sure Jarrod is still peacefully asleep, then follow Scarlett towards the back door.
She stops several times, listening and sniffing the air. I pause in the shadows every time, knowing that my scent is hanging around the house enough that she most likely won’t realize I’m following her.
So long as I stay still, she won’t see me…
When she goes to the big glass doors to the garden and peers out, I start to worry that she isn’t listening for intruders but looking for a specific scent.
Is her lover coming here? Would she really meet Jarrod’s father in my backyard?
Thinking of Jarrod makes my heart do a painful flip. I feel so connected to the boy, as if I’ve always known him. It’s not something I can explain, but I know I’d protect him with my life.
Is his father some deadbeat who took off and never cared for him? I’d beat the shit out of him if I ever got my hands on him. Who could abandon an innocent child?
Scarlett watches the garden for a while before slowly pushing open the door and walking out. She doesn’t seem to have a purpose, just wanders slowly around the yard, looking at the ground.
I lean forward so I can catch the scent of the night air. It’s warm and lush with the aroma of flowers and blooming trees. I can’t detect another wolf nearby.
But surely, that’s why she’s out here. To meet with her lover.
Standing in the doorway, I struggle with my emotions, desperate to run to her but not daring to move. Part of me believes utterly that if I wait here long enough, her secret tryst will reveal itself. But deep in my heart, there’s a place that refuses to accept that.
What can I possibly say to her after what I did? It would be the height of arrogance to assume she still harbors feelings for me.
Scarlett doesn’t look up or scan the area again. She just takes long, slow strides, looking at the ground as if she’s thinking about where to put her feet. With the very faint moonlight illuminating only her pale nightgown and leaving the rest of her in shadow, she almost looks like a restless spirit.
Maybe that’s exactly what she is.
I have to wonder how she ended up here with me if her heart belongs to another, but I also know the alliance was too important to both packs for her to refuse. I get the feeling she isn’t here by choice, and knowing her uncle, it wouldn’t surprise me if threats were involved.
How can I keep her safe when she won’t tell me anything? If she’s in danger, I should know… unless she’s counting on her lover to come and save her?
The idea breaks me. Instead of the anger and jealousy I expect to feel, the emotion that takes over my heart is defeat.
I had my chance, and I threw it away. I could have told her she’s the most important thing in the world to me and handled the situation better. Instead, I just left her.
Watching Scarlett for a while longer, I’m eventually convinced that she isn’t out here waiting for someone. She paces slowly back and forth, a pensive look on her face, and doesn’t scan the area again. I’m tempted to go back to bed and pretend this never happened, but I realize I can’t.
So, I go back to bed and try to smooth things over tomorrow—all this mistrust will still be simmering under my skin. I can lay off all the official stuff with Eccles—if Scarlett knew anything, I would have found out years ago.
There’s only one thing I really care about.
My breath shudders through my chest as I think about saying the words aloud. I can’t go another day without knowing the truth.
Who is Jarrod’s father?
