Page 103 of Haze

I knew Lena was stubborn, but I wasn’t prepared for this amount of pigheadedness. She’s started the shower and is undressing while I fire off a text to Revecca.

Me:

You couldn’t have fixed her wolf?

Revecca Ardelean:

I’m not fixing your mate’s wolf, only for her to continue to neglect it and go through this again. When she can behave and appreciate the animal she has, then I’ll have no problem doing it. Until then, let her be stubborn.

Let’s not remember that before The Pricolici, you weren’t any different than she is. Your second wolf is no different than hers.

Is it childish to try and provoke her into doing what I want? Yes. But I’m not beneath it. My mate is unwell. I can’t let her suffer when I know there’s a solution.

My decision stands. The spare needs to learn to nurture her wolf, and if she won’t, then she can suffer from being feral because she won’t listen. It’s not my fault the American Ardeleans seem to think they can abuse their wolves and expect obedience from them.

Rude fucking bitch. She wants to be petty? I’ll be fucking petty.

You’re mad that you didn’t go into heat sooner. Then you’d be free of the burden of the crown. What was it? Four? Five days?

Revecca types for a long time but sends a short response.

You best remember your place, Finn.

That the best you can do? I shouldn’t enjoy poking her this much. But Magnus can’t get between us anymore.

Why? You telling Magnus on me? Or try severing my wolf again?

You have an hourglass-shaped weakness. Don’t think I won’t use her against you.

I stifle the growl that’s rising in my throat. Of all the wolves that Magnus could have taken as his mate. He had to pick the biggest bitch with the worst—

Revecca, is there a level you’re not willing to sink to?

You going to hide behind Magnus forever?

Strange, was thinking the same thing about you and Cade.

Remember Revecca, I’m the mate of the younger sister of The Leviathan. You’re trying to get The Leviathan to solidify you on the throne of Romania. Don’t fuck with the sister of the man you need to like you.

That was mean, even for me. If we were in Ireland, I’d probably give a half-hearted apology and buy her a round as a white flag. But gone are the days of dark pubs and stiff drinks.

I’m letting her live with the product of her own idiocracy. It’s hardly cruel. When she’s ready to admit she needs to treat her wolf better, like the gift it is, you know how to find me, and I’ll fix it. Until then, she gets to be feral.

You afraid you can’t handle a little submissive, Finn?

I stop answering. It’s not worth my time. Revecca is looking for a fight, and she’s willing to goad me until I react like she wants me to.

Tossing my phone on the bed, I turn back to the Ardelean submissive I get to spend the rest of my life with. The one who is one-hundred-percent naked and ready to be teased until she remembers I alone control her orgasms. Today, we’ll work toward that ‘yes.’ ‘Yes, I’ll be yours,’ ‘yes, I’ll accept your collar,’ ‘yes, I’ll be your wife.’ The one word I need that will let me truly bind her to me in all ways.

I’m naked and following her into the shower. My wolf is stalking her like our prey.

I don’t miss her little groan when I follow her in.

“What’s wrong, faolan?”

“Do you have to follow me everywhere? What’s next, no peeing in peace?” She sighs.

When she turns to face me, her annoyance turns to scrutiny.

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