Page 46 of Winning the Wolf

Killick went to reach for me before closing his fist and pacing to the other side of the hut.

I couldn't tell whether he wanted to strangle me for getting us into such a mess or comfort me for making me jump. Either way, he'd changed his mind right at the last minute.

"I'm sorry for being so impulsive," I said, staying near the door to give him space.

He stalled his pacing and glanced at me. "The risk was stupid," he muttered, his voice revealing a slight quiver. "You could've got hurt. What if he decided to use you to get to me?"

My mouth dropped open to reply, but the words wouldn't come. I hadn't even considered that someone would do that, which showed my complete naivety.

Approaching, Killick towered over me, looking down into my face. The shadows almost covered his eyes, helping him to hide what he was feeling.

"I didn't think." Ididn't know what to say. He knew that I'd been thrust into this whole saga without so much of a hello. We'd been estranged from both my father and the pack since my brother’s suicide. Being the new alpha's mate hadn't been on my to do list.

"Can we get out?" I changed the subject, not wanting to dwell on the huge decision looming over us.

Tightening his jaw, Killick leant his palm against the wall beside my head, trapping me with his arm. "We cannot avoid the inevitable," his husky voice rumbled. "You have to beware of the risks."

"The inevitable?" I breathed, looking into his eyes. "You make it sound like I don't have a choice."

Every inch of my body screamed to be touched by him. My instincts didn't give a shit about the dirty hut or the fact that we were stuck by a witch's spell. The mating bond was stretching towards him, coming from my chest like an ethereal lasso. Did he feel it, too?

Thrusting away from me, Killick stood by the door and stared out at the woods. I stayed silent, too tired to push him to reply. According to the rules, I had the option whether I wanted to bond with him. We were given seven days to decide whether we would accept the wolf spirit’schoice.

I watched him, trying to see past the emotions of the last few days. Seeing Killick for who he was hadn’t been easy, not since Chris had died. We had kept our distance from one another, not bothering to check in. I’d been his best friend’s kid sister, someone to protect, not to strip naked and ravish against the wall.

My cheeks heated as he looked at me over his shoulder. Did he know what I’d been thinking? Or was it a coincidence that he’d sought my gaze at the same time as I’d imagined him taking me?

“The mating games are a sacred werewolf ritual. However, you always have a choice, hence why we get seven days.”

“Do you want to mate me?” The words flew from my lips before my brain engaged.

My insides shook as I swallowed, unsure why his answer was so important. We’d been hasty in our temporary acceptance of the bond, too wrapped up in trauma to comprehend what was happening. How could we make an informed decision when everything was up in the air?

“You’re overthinking it,” he muttered, “I can see it in your eyes.”

“You can?”

Inclining his head, he watched me from under the hood of his eyes. “Thoughts are rushing through your mind, questioning what I want… wondering what you want.” Stepping closer, he inhaled, wincing when the scents around us hit him. “We have a duty.”

The sexy pull faltered, making the skin on my arms turn cold. Duty. Was that all I was? “You’re right.” Raising myself up to my full height, I faced him as he drew near. “I do overthink everything. However, I will think twice before putting duty before my own wellbeing.”

Killick stopped and ran a hand over his hair.

"Duty is overrated," I whispered, sadness creeping into my heart.

Killick clenched his hands into fists. "Only those with freedom have the luxury to say such a thing."

Turning from me, he dropped to the floor and sat against the wall. Bringing up his legs, he leant his elbows on his knees.

I watched him, not daring to disagree, even though my stomach burned. There was truth in his words, I couldn't deny it. I hadn't ever had to worry about the welfare of more than a handful of people. He, on the other hand, had been training to succeed his father since he was born. His mother had literally drilled it into him, abusing him in the process.

"Do you believe Jeremy?" I asked, prepared to risk his ire in order to break the tense silence.

His energy changed as an angry snort exploded from him. "No. My father might have been hard, but he was honourable. He would've claimed Jeremy and made him heir."

Nodding, I twirled a piece of my purple hair through my fingers. "I agree. Your dad always did what was right. So, it was your mother's secret."

"Maybe she pushed me because she knew this challenge would come." His voice was low. "Her own mistake catching up to her."

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