Page 42 of Alpha Wolf's Arranged Bride
I shake my head. “Rex, no. I really don’t know anything. I have no idea why Eccles are digging up a field.”
At least that’s the truth.
“I’ve heard stories,” I add, “but I don’t have any more details than you do.”
“Are you sure you’re not protecting someone?”
“No,” I mutter, almost whispering.
I want to tell him… but how can I?
Rex gives me a hard glare, and I just stare back at him. There is an intensity between us, and through all the suspicion and secrets, I can feel that old fire burning—the chemistry that exploded between us years ago and lit a passion in my soul that has never gone out.
Even when I tried to convince myself I was over him, it was smoldering inside me like coals glowing, just waiting to ignite when the flames were fanned.
“Who is watching Eccles?” I ask again, hoping to divert him.
Rex immediately breaks eye contact and looks at the floor. “Forget I said anything. Obviously, you don’t know anything about it. For all we know, they could be putting in a parking lot.”
“Yeah,” I say, laughing softly. “I’m sure it’s nothing. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
Rex looks up at me, and I can see the questions crowding in his eyes. I turn away from him and grab some pajamas, pushing past him to go into the bathroom. Slamming the door shut behind me, I press my hands to my chest and try to slow my heart down.
I can’t take this! What am I going to do—I’m sure my uncle is involved in something terrible.
The old stories race around in my mind, but I can’t focus on any details when I’m this wound up. I have a horrible feeling that if I look hard enough, I’m going to find consistencies that add up to truth, and it’s going to be things I’d rather not know.
Like child sacrifice.
I hold in a sob, the effort of keeping my emotions under control making me tremble. After a few minutes of deep breaths, I finally begin to calm down, and I freshen up before putting on my pajamas and getting ready for bed.
I hesitate before going back into the bedroom, expecting Rex to be waiting for me with more questions. But when I get there, he’s in bed with his back to me.
I’m relieved, but somehow feeling let down as well.
I want to tell him everything, but how can I trust him? He never would have come back into my life by choice—he only married me for the treaty.
The thought brings back my anger and my strength. It’s easy to cross the room and curl up in bed without saying a single word to him when I think about how cruelly he abandoned me, and about the wealth of secrets he continues to keep hidden.
As I reach out to switch off the lamp, I hear Rex sigh as if he’s about to say something, and my body tingles with adrenaline. I wait for a second before turning off the light, but he simply turns over and doesn’t say anything.
What more can we say to each other, really? He’s made it clear he won’t reveal any more, and neither will I.
At first, my exhaustion creeps up on me, making me feel slow and heavy. I even relax a little, but my mind continues to churn.
Before long, the thoughts revolving through my head fire up my blood until I’m wide awake again. I roll over onto my back and stare at the ceiling, listening to Rex breathing heavily beside me.
At least he doesn’t snore.
I try to relax, but after about half an hour of struggling with my inner turmoil, I finally give up and get out of bed. I slip across the room without switching on the light, hoping I don’t wake Rex.
I need some time alone. It’s strange that I hated being isolated back home, and now all I want is to be by myself.
The darkness of the house seems to close in on me as I make my way down the stairs. I stretch out my wolf senses, trying to catch a scent or sound of anyone near the house.
I can’t shake the feeling that someone is coming for Jarrod!
The old stories definitely mentioned sacrifices, but I’m still too wound up to think clearly about the details. I’d dismissed those crazy ideas years ago, even though they terrified me when I was a child.
