Page 64 of Wolf Reborn

Iwatched Natalie leave the room, and in my mind, my dragon puffed with approval. My mate was more impressive than I'd ever dreamed she'd be. I knew she was strong and independent—all the wolves descended from the Blackwood bloodline were—but that didn’t change the fact that my drive to be her protector would be strong as well.

Watching her fall to the ground after mind-linking with the florkin and vomiting blood before collapsing I’d been struck with a feeling I never felt before and never wanted to experience again—a sense of soul-shattering fear.

Lucian had felt it too. When Natalie had come to, Lucian was the sickeningly calm character he always seemed to be. But when she’d fainted, he'd gone ballistic.

He’d howled her name so loudly, the ground shook.

Rehema had heard him, as had countless others, no doubt, and she’d arrived in a flash to heal Natalie’s injuries.

But I'd witnessed the truth—Lucian had fallen for Natalie. Maybe even as hopelessly as I had.

I’d known it would only be a matter of time before that happened, even if in the beginning he been looking for ways to sever their bond. Much as I disliked him, he wasn’t a fool. And only a fool could have missed the fact that he was head over heels in love with Natalie.

Still, Lucian had wounds—deep ones—that Natalie needed to know about.

“Do you know anything about what’s happening in the forest?”

I’d been so lost in thought that I hadn’t heard Natalie reenter the room. She'd placed the chocolate on a plate, and I shook my head as she offered me one.

"They're for you. Just you. As for what’s going on in the forest, I really don't know much. The florkin’s body is being tested to discover what went wrong, but there’s been no report yet.”

Natalie sat down and pushed her long white hair thrown over her shoulder. She studied the plate of chocolates for a moment, then chose one and bit into it.

She’d been incredibly brave to face down a beast she’d never seen before. But I hoped she would never do anything like that again. There were worse things in this realm than a florkin.

“Lucian and I found more red spots in the forest,” she said, swallowing, then placing the plate on the coffee table. “Did you hear?”

“I did,” I told her. “Those are being looked into as well. I’m just not always kept up to date on things. I’m not close enough to most of the gods, especially with my mother asleep.”

Ever since the festival, the rumor mill had run constantly. There were whispers about the way a florkin’s eyes were meant to look, as well as worry about what it might mean. But an announcement from the gods that they were investigating the matter seemed to have settled the majority of people.

"Whatever is going on, I hope it's resolved soon. People are concerned. They know something is happening." Natalie looked away, and I frowned. "What is it?"

Her blue eyes slid to me, and she shook her head. "Nothing, and I agree. I hope the gods figure this out soon. But tell me, were you at Lucian’s house the other day?”

"Yes," I answered. I knew she'd smelled me, and no doubt Lucian had as well. "Why?"

"I should be asking you that question," she said.

I couldn’t help admiring her feistiness. "I was looking for you. When I found you there, I left right away. I figured it wasn't the right time to talk to you. You slept there?” She didn't answer, but her silence was enough of one. "That’s okay. I'm not going to get angry. As much as I hate it, the fact is that he's your mate, too. One day, I'll ask you to visit my home. That is, when you start liking me again."

Her mouth curved a little, and to hide the smile, she reached out and grabbed a chocolate. I shook my head while she chewed. She was right to be angry with me, and her avoidance of me for so long really drove that home.

I stood up and held my hand out to her. "So for now, we'll go somewhere else. There is something I want to show you. That is, if you're still not too angry with me.”

She narrowed her eyes, and it stung a little that she was so cautious with me. If Lucian had asked, I had no doubt that she’d willingly go anywhere with him. I swallowed my feelings of jealousy and waited, allowing her to choose.

She stood up and took my hand. Thank the Goddess.

I curled my fingers over hers. "Would you like to fly or teleport?" I asked.

“Teleport,” she answered. “Maybe we can fly back.”

I entered the location on my bracelet. “I care about you. I just want you to know that.”

"You’d better," she grumbled.

But I was just happy to be talking with her. And before we teleported, I yanked her forward and held her close.

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