Page 22 of Tide Touched

‘She didn’t want to go,’ Moira says, still fighting against the gnawing dread inside her.

‘Perhaps,’ I admit. ‘That’s why we’re going to make sure she’s okay.’

The young wolf’s eyes remind me of a shallow area of the beach back home—so bright and green, I knew it was too dangerous to swim or dive there. That’s what she looks like now. ‘Why do you care?’ Her voice is sharp, a warning.

‘She’s one of my pack.’ It sounds false to my own ears, but I can’t say why. Why else would I be doing this?

Moira waves a hand over the crackling fire, forcing the light to subdue. ‘Tell me the truth.’

My gaze snaps up. Why does it feel as though she’s caught me in a trap? I fidget with my hands. ‘What do you want me to say? One of our pack has never been taken from us before. Moira, I feel it here’—I set a hand over my stomach—‘my worry for her. I can’t say why. I just need to know, to see for myself, that’s she’s alright.’ I shrug. ‘That’s all I’ve got for you.’ A little piece of me feels lighter, admitting that.

Moira gives me a long, hard look. Finally, she nods. She sits on the ground, leaning against the log. Quietly, she braids back the top part of her hair, making her eyes seem bigger, brighter. ‘Why have you never talked to her before, then, if you care so much?’

Her question is like a punch to the gut. This time, I don’t meet her gaze. Instead, I get to my feet and give her my best smirk. ‘I’ve never talked to you before, either, little wolf.’

Chapter Thirteen

Katie

The knock sounds again, and I realise Carter’s actually waiting for me to allow him entrance, even if he’s impatient about it.

I look from the door to my painting, brush poised mid-stroke. Smartass Katie wants to shout at Carter and tell him to go away. That I finally found some peace up here in my tower prison, and that maybe I don’t want to fuck him anyway. Okay, I do. But that’s not the point. I squirm in my seat a little at the thought.

I turn back to my painting and only manage a single, ocean-blue stroke before a hand slams on the door. Unfortunately, it makes me jump. Just a little bit, skewing the brush’s path. ‘Carter, go—’ I don’t even get the sentence out. I turn, and he’s framed in the open doorway. ‘—away,’ I finish lamely.

His face grows cold when he sees me, without a trace of amusement. His cool blue eyes—so different than Ella’s—land on the canvas book before me, my work half-done.

Unlike my handmaid, Carter takes his time, locking the door with a lazy gesture. Unhurried. He gives me a long, level stare, as though he still doesn’t quite believe I’m here. The Fire girl he’s mated to. He bites his bottom lip.

I have to admit, it’s hot. ‘What are you thinking?’ I ask. Carter’s face is a pale, blank canvas. Unreadable.

His sunshine-head bobs to the painting. ‘I’m glad you have something to do. I should have thought of that.’ He draws further into the room, perching himself on my bed. The only reason it’s neatly made is because I was bored. He looks hesitant. Almost uncomfortable.

I set my brush down and stare out the window. Part of me wants to ask him what he’s been doing all day. What his life is like outside this room. My eyes fall shut. ‘I don’t want to stay locked up in here.’ I finally turn to look at him.

Sorrow darkens his eyes. ‘I know. I’m sorry.’ He sits back, patting the bed beside him. An invitation. ‘I also wanted to say sorry for last night. I know I shouldn’t have just… left like that. I was a bit… overwhelmed, I guess.’

I settle on the end of the bed. ‘Never really thought I’d have the best luck with a mate.’

Carter meets my gaze to see if I’m joking. I don’t know if I am. He winds an arm around my shoulders, pulling me a little closer. I rest against him. ‘I am sorry.’ He presses a light, cool kiss to the top of my head. ‘I won’t do that again. I’ll stay, at least for a bit.’

‘What makes you think I want you to stay?’

The corner of his mouth kicks up. ‘Oh,’ he says, smiling. ‘Well, I can just go—’ He half rises from the bed.

I shove him lightly and he smiles.

Everything is awkward and strange between us, but there is a bond there. Something strong keeping us together. Wanting us to care for the other.

Carter’s smile softens. He tucks a lock of hair behind my ear.

‘Are… are you just here to screw me again?’

To my surprise, he blanches, his hand frozen in mid-air. ‘N—no.’ Hurt flashes in his eyes. ‘You’re my mate. I’m… I’m here to see you. If you want to do that, then I’m up for it.’ He drops his hands, resting them in his lap.

What’s missing here is that I don’t know him. I take him in, still unsure of him. I scoot back on the bed and stretch my legs out. There’s a lot I want to ask him, but it feels out of bounds.

As though sensing this, Carter leans back against the corner bed post. ‘Is it true you can control fire?’

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