Page 19 of Wolves of the Golden Sun

Jonah isn’t the housewife of the pack. He’s got his own pack in the Kootenays that he hasn’t seen in…

Months. I shouldn’t get used to that. Jonah and I need to talk about what he’s going to do about that. We’ve avoided it for long enough, but the simple fact is, he’s neglecting his pack for me, and I can’t keep letting him do that.

I clear my throat, hoping to clear my head, and focus on my two newest mates while heading to the bedroom to put some clothes on. Drago isn’t far behind me. So when I yell from my closet, asking why he’s back earlier than expected, he hears me and responds from his room.

Yes, we have separate rooms. We might sleep together every night, but even bonded mates need their own space.

“I can’t stand being away from you, Willa. You know that. I crossed the continent because you were too far.”

I let out an exasperated breath and shove myself into a pair of comfy sweats and a t-shirt. No bra, because fuck that.

Free the goddamn nipple. Even the wonky ones.

But also because it was a challenge to coax Rook off my shoulder long enough to get the shirt on. I doubt I’d convince him to stay off to put on a bra.

The second I’m dressed, I’m back in the hall and in Drago’s arms. I press myself close into him, inhaling his sharp scent deep enough that it makes me woozy.

Swaying in his arms, I look up at him, all chiseled muscle and blackened scars. Tilting up that far has Rook’s talons gripping my shoulder tighter than I’d like, but I don’t mind.

“I really missed you.” My whispered words soften Drago’s features. The tightness around his mouth disappears, as does the crease in his forehead.

“I missed you too, Willa. But I’m afraid I’m not back with good news.”

I stiffen in his arms, bracing against whatever he says next.

I knew it was coming.

It said it would.

Promised it.

“The scourge?” My throat tightens around the word as the memory of that horrid thing plays in my mind’s eyes. Emaciated, rotting flesh—

Drago pulls me close, pressing me to him. “No. It’s not that, love. None of the Kootenay packs have been so unfortunate.”

“It’s biding its time, then.” But until what? That thought sets my nerves on edge. How were we supposed to prepare, to fight it, if we didn’t know when it was coming?

“I’m afraid my news is worse than the scourge’s return.”

I pull out of his embrace and stare into Drago’s eyes, lower lip threatening to wobble. “What could possibly be worse than that creature’s return?”

Drago’s brown gaze shimmers for a moment before turning that steely shade of blue.

The sight of it sends a dreadful chill down my back, and I try to pull free from his arms.

He holds me fast, and a twisted smile curls his lips. “Oh, come now, little Omega. Don’t be so squeamish.” The tone is wrong. Both placating and condescending, a tone the real Drago would never take with me. Even the timbre of his voice is different. Harsher, more raspy. In fact, everything about Drago is different. The angles of his face are sharper, more menacing as the soul, or revenant of magic, of whatever it is, stares at me through Drago’s eyes.

That’s never happened before.

It’s only ever been the steel gaze and demeanor that’s changed.

Rook caws on my shoulder, eyeing Drago, feathers puffing up once again.

But Drago gets himself under control and forces himself back in the driver’s seat quickly. The steely glacial gaze, full of storms and suffering, ebbs away, and Drago’s brown gaze is back and full of fear and apprehension.

“I’m sorry. That’s been happening with more frequency recently.” Drago shakes his head, ashamed. And it’s his shame that dashes away the last vestiges of fear.

My lip stops quivering, and my breath evens out, along with my pulse.

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