Page 48 of Alpha Wolf's Arranged Bride
I go through the back door, closing it behind me as I listen for Scarlett’s footsteps. It doesn’t surprise me that she’s already upstairs and halfway down the main hall.
Checking on Jarrod.
I try to tell myself that’s the only reason she ran off so suddenly. Because she was worried about her son, and it had nothing to do with me.
Maybe when I get upstairs, we can talk about what just happened. I don’t want this marriage to be fake, and it feels like she doesn’t, either.
When I get upstairs, though, she’s curled up in bed with the covers wrapped around her. I know she’s not asleep, but thisis still the universal gesture of “don’t disturb me,” so I figure I'd better not say anything.
As I get into bed, I look over at her, a million questions burning the tip of my tongue. I can’t believe she really wants to go to sleep without discussing what just happened.
Maybe she’s overwhelmed and doesn’t know what to say.
A flicker of discomfort sparks deep in my guts as I think about her reaction and what else it could mean.
There is definitely something going on with her. Secrets she doesn’t want me to know. Personal ones about Jarrod’s father, and probably about Eccles and their magic, too.
Both ideas frustrate me and make me feel a little betrayed. I thought she’d trust me enough to tell me the truth about Jarrod’s father, and her secrets about Eccles could hurt my entire pack. If something terrible happens and she is aware of the danger, I could never forgive her.
As I lay down and try to get comfortable, I think about my own secrets. It’s terrible to admit it, but I still have my own lies to deal with, and it’s perfectly plausible that she doesn’t trust me simply because I won’t trust her.
I sigh, staring at the ceiling, wondering if I should turn over and just spill everything right here and now. I tilt my head to listen to her breathing. To my surprise, Scarlett is already asleep.
There goes that idea.
Slowly, I relax. I can feel sleep creeping up on me, even as my mind continues to worry over little details. One by one, they release and drop away, leaving only one that I can’t let go of.
Why would she say I’m the only one she’s ever been with when there was obviously Jarrod’s father? Was the situation that bad that she couldn’t talk about him at all?
The idea fills me with a terrible mix of protective anger and fierce jealousy, until the idea strikes me that maybe the guy died and that’s why she won’t speak of it.
That would change my perception of the situation for sure.
The intensity of my feelings starts to exhaust me, and I don’t resist it as my thoughts begin to wind down. Sleep takes me, and I drop into chaotic dreams of chasing Scarlett through the woods, but whenever I get close enough to touch her, she is suddenly miles away.
I get so frustrated that the next time I catch up to her, I lunge forward and grab, trying to keep her from vanishing. The movement is almost violent, and I tip straight out of bed and land on the floor with a heavy thump.
Well. That was exciting. Does it count as sleepwalking?
Sitting up, I rub my head and look over at Scarlet. My dream-leaping didn’t wake her up, but she doesn’t look like she’s sleeping well, either.
I can’t keep her prisoner here. I really do love her and want her to be happy, and that means I’ll always respect her wishes, even if it hurts me.
Getting up, I put on my robe and head downstairs. Even though my heart is heavy, my mind is clear, and I feel calmer than I have in days.
I know what to do now. I don’t know how to work this out between the packs and keep the treaty in place, but I won’t make Scarlett miserable anymore. No fucking way.
I’m oiling a frying pan when Scarlett comes into the kitchen. I expect to feel anxious, but the feeling doesn’t come. Instead, all I feel is resignation and a sense of loss.
“Good morning,” I say.
Scarlett just nods as she pours a cup of coffee. “Morning,” she says softly.
“I really need to talk to you,” I say, putting the frying pan aside.
Scarlett looks up at me, her eyes wide. “Rex, last night, I—”
“Please, let me speak,” I say, not wanting to cut her off but needing her to hear my piece first. “I completely understand if you need to be with Jarrod’s father,” I begin. “I know you were brought here against your will, just for the alliance, and your heart really isn’t in this. You share a bond with the man you had a child with, and I can’t get in the way of that.”
