Page 12 of Married to the Wolf

“It should be an easy answer.”

“You don’t understand.”

“You’re right. I don’t.” She pulled out of his arms and turned away. “I want my own room.”

He moved behind her and enfolded her in his embrace again. His warm breath heated her neck. “We are from different worlds, and we have different thought processes. You must understand mine has certain rules.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means you’re my wife, my mate. I will do whatever it takes.”

There was finality in his words, and she knew it was no more use in talking to him. He’d had enough of the conversation. The problem was she didn’t know if he meant he would do whatever it took to keep her by seducing and loving her, or something else—something more dangerous.

Chapter 4

The party was underway by the time Sophia made her appearance. She called it a party to alleviate the stress of knowing why everyone was there. The room she strode into was wall-to-wall shifter. They all appeared to be normal everyday people, but she was beginning to see the common traits. Big muscles, broad shoulders, handsome, beautiful, they looked good for the most part. She wondered briefly if all the goodness included intelligence but hadn’t interacted with them enough to be sure.

Tonight she wore a sleeveless gown with a jewel-encrusted bodice and a high neckline. The material at the bust gave the impression of being sheer while the lower half of the dress was a silky smooth teal. She considered the split that ended mid-thigh to be a bit daring with her chunky thighs, but she looked pretty damn good and went with it. Just before their wedding Sebastian took her shopping and told her the sky was the limit. Hell, she wouldn’t turn him down. After all, at the time she was a happy woman in love, considering herself to be the luckiest on the planet to have a sexy rich man who was even more in love with her. She hadn’t felt guilty about accepting his gifts.

Maybe I’m selfish and self-centered.

The one adjective that didn’t describe her was brave. Her stomach knotted when the crowd of men and women quieted as she entered the room. Every head swung to look at her. The expressions were varied, some eager, others annoyed, and still more gave the impression they felt she didn’t belong there.

I feel the same way. Trust me.

She was a little mouse that wandered in to a cat convention, but before she lost her nerve and made a break for it, Sebastian appeared at her side smiling. He guided her hand to his mouth and flipped it palm up before pressing his lips to her skin. A shiver raced down her spine.

“You look ravishing, baby.” His desire was apparent. She’d managed to put him off the last few days. While he still refused to change her room, he didn’t force himself on her either. The last few mornings she woke wondering if he came to bed at all.

“Thank you. Are they all here to welcome me?”

“Somewhat. This party is to choose your Guard, and I have a couple of openings for mine.”

“Sebastian, I told you I don’t need anyone hanging around me all the time.”

He faced the group. “All of them are elite and well-trained. All will give their life for yours.”

The stubborn arrogant bastard wasn’t listening to her.

“Come on. Let me introduce you to everyone.”

She stayed put and tried again. “I’m a chibi in the middle of this crowd.”

He wrinkled his brow. “What is a chibi?”

Someone nearby snorted, and she looked around to find it was Ava. She must have overheard. What’s more, she seemed to know already what a chibi was. Sophia refused to let the knowledge make her like the woman.

“Never mind,” she said. “It doesn’t matter.”

The names flew in one ear and out the other as Sebastian introduced her around. Someone offered her a drink, and she downed half the glass to give herself a small boost to deal with them all.

“And you know Ava,” Sebastian said when they arrived at her little group. “Alex is her brother.”

Sophia looked from one sibling to the other and saw the resemblance. Both had flaming red hair and brown eyes. After the incident in the car, Alex was more careful about hiding what he felt about her, but she didn’t assume his feelings had improved. Like sister like brother, she supposed.

A man approached Sebastian and whispered something in his ear. Alex went on alert, so she gathered the whispering was for her benefit. Sebastian nodded to him and turned to kiss her cheek.

“I’ll be right back, baby. I have to attend to some other business.” He glanced at Ava. “Look after her.”

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