Page 36 of Winning the Wolf

“We need to leave.” Killick could obviously sense my desire to tear Jeremy apart.

Not only did the werewolf abuse my sister, he’d attacked me too. I had a bone to pick with him… or a bone to break with my teeth… preferably his skull.

Swallowing down the fire that burned in my throat, I moved to all fours. “I’m shifting, just in case you need protecting.”

A small smirk flashed across his lips before he made off, running faster than any human. I willed my wolf spirit to wake up, allowing her free to shape my body into the sleek form of a wolf.

The pain was bearable as I imagined killing Jeremy. Alas, I couldn’t play out my sick fantasy, I had to protect my alpha and sister.

Glancing behind me, I blinked when my gaze landed on a pair of orange eyes, staring at me from the undergrowth. I hadn’t noticed the wolf or caught his scent. Who had been watching us all this time? Jeremy was howling in the distance as I moved away, running to catch up to Killick. If I wasn’t careful, the drunkard would shift and come after us. And someone would end up dead. Very, very dead.

Chapter Ten

The red blood swirled in the bowl, marring the clear water. My gaze was mesmerised as I stared, rinsing the cloth slowly and deliberately.

Nyla laid on the bed next to me, her matted hair fanned over the pillow. I’d cleaned most of the blood from her face, revealing the heavy bruises underneath. The heaviness that clung to my heart pulled harder, tugging my mood into my feet.

“What happened to you?” I whispered, turning back to my twin.

Her eyes fluttered gently but didn’t open. She could probably hear me in her dreams, where she was hopefully healing.

Killick had brought us back to the pack’s headquarters, insisting that we use one of the guest bedrooms. When he’d laid Nyla on the white bed cover, I’d almost shoved her off. The soft carpet and heavy curtains were far plusher than we were used to, I didn’t want to get her blood all over the expensive furnishings.

My heart squeezed just a little as I remembered how gently the alpha had placed my sister down. Considering she was wanted for treason, he had treated her with a kindness I’d never seen in him before, even when he was young.

Sighing, I released the cloth in the bowl and glanced up at the painting on the wall above the bed. Mr and Mrs Huntington smiled down at me, their warm gazes piercing my soul. I felt like the traitor I’d been accused of, having my sister in their home.

Our alpha and his wife had always struck me as loving and kind. My own father had been so cold since we’d lost Chris, I’d welcomed the small blast of belonging I’d always felt around the alpha. Now, that was gone… They were gone.

“How is she?”

Killick’s husky voice made me jump. I’d been so deep in thought, I hadn’t noticed him come in. My gaze ducked from the image of his parents, a guilty flush of emotion making me clear my throat.

“She’s still passed out,” I replied, glancing up at him.

Ever since we’d returned, I hadn’t known what to say to him. The rush of the mating bonds game mixed with the adrenaline of trying to find my sister had muddled my mind. I hadn’t faced the reality of what had happened between us. We'd had sex. Full on, desperate sex. And yet, we hadn't even acknowledged it since we'd been back.

I had to concentrate on my sister, yes, but our mating had certainly complicated everything. We had a week to determine whether we wanted to keep and deepen the bond. Just another complication to add to my already messed up world.

A shiver moved my muscles as he drew nearer and looked over my shoulder, his forehead creasing.

"Wake up!" he barked, his gaze narrowing on Nyla suspiciously.

"She isn't pretending to sleep." I resisted the urge to roll my eyes as he scowled. "Anyway, shouldn't we talk about..."

Waving my hand between us, I tried not to cringe at the embarrassment of it all. I'd imagined myself to be a strong independent were-woman, able to face life. Apparently, ever since my sister had thrown my life into chaos, I'd turned into a scatty clueless pup.

Killick glanced down at me, his gaze growing heavy for just a second. "I'm not sure this is the right place to discuss it. We need to deal with her first."

Nodding his head at Nyla as if she were insignificant, Killick tightened his jaw.

A flash of hot rage burnt the skin on my arms as I pushed up from the bed. "She's your best friend's sister, how dare you treat her with such disrespect?"

His lips curled into a snarl as he glanced up at the painting above the bed. His head lowered until his eyes were in line with mine. "My parents are dead because of her."

Gulping, I shrank back as if he'd slapped me in the face. Oh, yeah. I couldn't let my emotions for my sister cloud reality. She'd had a part to play in our alpha's death.

"I'm... sorry," I whispered, ducking my gaze.

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