Page 42 of Winning the Wolf

Nyla was free. The relief made my knees weak as Killick told the pack that he would meet with his advisors to discuss dealing with Jeremy.

I watched him, grateful that he'd stood up for Nyla and protected me. He hadn't needed to spell out our connection, everyone would've felt it. And when the wolf spirit chose the alpha's mate, no one questioned it. It was werewolf law.

Killick's speech came to an end and the crowd dispersed with only Killick's advisors staying behind. I retreated towards the French doors that led inside. I had to tell Nyla the outcome.

"Larissa." Killick's call halted me.

Pausing, I tapped my leg before turning. Killick's throat bobbed as he watched me, his gaze tracing my face. "Once we've sorted Jeremy, we'll sort... us."

Inclining my head, I licked my lips and ducked my head, looking up at him from under my eyelashes. We stayed like that for a moment, our gaze locked.

A throat clearing from behind the alpha broke our staring contest.

"You better get back to your mission," I said, my voice more sultry than I had planned.

Blinking, he nodded before he glanced over his shoulder to check who had commanded his attention.

I took the opportunity to slink into the building, only stealing a quick look behind me as I neared the grand staircase. Killick stood still on the other side of the door, watching me through the glass.

My heartbeat tripled and my palms perspired. There had been a promise in his words. A promise that sent shivers down my spine as I headed to tell my sister her fate.

Chapter Twelve

Sleep had well and truly alluded me all night, so when my phone buzzed, I picked it up quickly, pleased for the distraction.

Nyla snoozed noisy in the bed, finally comfortable enough to allow herself to sleep deeply. Her recovery, both mentally and physically, would take time and I would be there every step of the way.

Dinky’s name flashed up on my phone and I instantly felt guilt wash through me. I'd been so engrossed in Killick and Nyla, I hadn’t thought to check in with her.

Her short sharp demand to call her set off alarm bells. It wasn't like my friend to be quite so blunt with me. Not only that, it was two in the morning, she should've been asleep.

Slowly getting to my feet, I tiptoed out of the room. My back muscles strained as I closed the door and stretched, pleased to be out of the uncomfortable chair. Nyla had insisted I went to my room, but I refused, too desperate to be near my twin.

The light in the hall was dim, the bulb turned down. I wandered to the end of the corridor and looked out of the window, searching the dark as I dialled my friend.

"Larissa," Dinky said hurriedly, "hang up."

A commotion was followed by a feminine grunt.

"That's going to hurt later." A masculine voice came on the phone. "She should've done as she was told."

"Jeremy!" I pushed through clenched teeth. "Don't you dare hurt her!"

The sound of rushing blood filled my ears and my breath rushed in and out as I tried to get air into my lungs.

"If you do as you're told, she won't be harmed... anymore."

"You're a sick bastard!" I tried to keep my voice low but the sound carried away from me.

If Nyla heard me, she'd worry. I had to get away from her.

"No, I'm just trying to claim what is rightfully mine and I just happened to come across your friend." His chuckle made my skin go cold as I skipped down the stairs, checking to make sure that no one was around. “What do you want?”

A gloating hum vibrated down the phone, making my skin crawl as I made my way through to the large dining room and slipped out through the glass doors. The darkness enveloped me as I waited for his answer.

“I want you to bring Killick to the hut that housed your sister and Miranda, our mother.”

Owls hooted in the woods as I slunk around the side of the mansion. Jeremy had the gall to call Miranda his mother, when he’d killed her?