Red and Her Wolf (Kingdom, #3)

Instead she said, “He treats me like his property. Always growling at me and telling others I belong to him,” she mimicked his thick burr. “It’s annoying.”


Laughing, Alice nodded. “I can see how that could be. But it’s part and parcel of the wolf nature. And I hate to break it to you, Violet, but when one of the bad five sets their eyes on you; it’s pretty much a done deal.”

“Bad five?”

Alice flicked her wrist. “Another story for another time. Here’s the deal in a nutshell. You’re it for him. He’ll never leave you, and I think a part of you already knows that. Maybe even thrills at the thought.”

Even now her stomach felt like it was bottoming out; her thighs shook at the thought of feeling that naked flesh. Hearing him croon her name when in the middle of their passion. Of peppering the scar on his face with hundreds of kisses, discovering why her body ached with incredibe pleasure at the thought of his touch.

“Ugh, but how can he love me? We barely know each other.”

Alice shrugged one shoulder. “I’m sure he doesn’t love you yet. How could he?”

Violet’s heart sank. It shouldn’t matter. Hearing it said should only reinforce how stupid this whole thing was, but she’d be lying if she said it didn’t bother her.

“It’s all animal with him. Right now its pheromones, your scent, your look, everything. It all adds up to his perfect mate.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“No.” Alice shook her head. “Maybe to you, because you don’t understand it. And I barely do, but Hatter told me there were years when he wasn’t sure Ewan would make it. It’s a physical wound for a wolf not to have his mate once he’s claimed her.”

“What do you mean?” Violet felt like she was listening to Alice through a long tunnel, her heart pounding so hard as she tried to imagine what it’d been like for him.

“That’s for him to share.” She smiled. “You know I ran out on Hatter.” Alice’s smile grew sad, bitter. “I thought he didn’t want me and I left. I didn’t fight. Maybe I was too scared.”

“But you guys seem so happy.”

“Now. But then, I couldn’t see beyond my hurt. My beliefs. It almost cost me everything. My life and my happiness. I love him, Violet, with every fiber of my being. These aren’t the easiest guys to fall in love with, but I promise, if you let yourself, you’ll never be happier.”

“Mmm, I like the sound of that.”

Violet jumped at the sound of Hatter’s deep drawl. He’d poked his head inside the door, sniffing appreciatively. “Did you make the bread?” he asked.

Every time Alice looked at Hatter her entire countenance seemed to glow. “Why don’t you turn your back and see.”

Violet frowned when she glanced at the table in the dining area. There wasn’t any bread on it. As confused as Violet was by the cryptic reply, Hatter was not. They shared a secret smile, a wordless exchange that transcended mere food.

“Minx,” Hatter finally drawled. “Leonard grows impatient for his sustenance. Hurry it up, woman,” he growled.

“You tell that rat, to be patient and wait,” Alice huffed, but hopped off the counter and grabbed the pan. “Bring the salad, Violet,” she called over her back.

She stood there for a moment, cold salad bowl in her hand. They had something and she desperately wanted it.

Was it really as simple as letting go?

Chapter 13

Danika and Miriam landed on the fattest branch the old oak tree had to offer and settled in, awaiting their midnight visitor.

So far the journey had been uneventful. Actually, boring would be a better descriptor. Danika wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but it certainly hadn’t been this. Miriam barely talked to her, hardly even looked at her. They’d shrunk themselves down to the size of a gnat, there’d be very little that could detect them in this form.

The moment they’d stepped through the portal she’d expected doom, winged monsters bearing down on them. Maybe even Galeta’s fat rump making a showing. But nothing.

“I hope Violet and Ewan are doing well,” she said, glancing from the corner of her eye at her friend.

Miriam stood as a sentinel, one arm wrapped around a thin vine, peering like a barnyard owl into the thick gloom below them. “Mmm,” she nodded.

“Mir!” Danika stomped her foot. “Now really, this is enough. I’m your friend. You must talk with me.”

Eyes covered in bright red veins turned to stare at her. Exhaustion leaked from every crevice of her body, wrinkles marred skin in a permanent patchwork of lines and age.

“Dani, it’s better if ye doona ken too much--”