“Shut it.” I tackle him into the straw and lock my arm around his neck. “Take it back.”
“Never.” He wheezes, laughing.
We tumble together in a fit of laughter, the first moment of happiness I’ve had since standing in the circle, alone. When we fall apart, gasping for breath and clutching our sides, Roman rolls onto his back and stares up at the cave ceiling.
“Okay,” he says, suddenly serious. “We’ve got a year to get you ready for Alaska.”
I snort. “Who says I want to go to Alaska?”
He turns his head to look at me, eyes sharp despite his grin. “I may be eight, but I’m not stupid. Call it wolf sense.”
I arch a brow. “When did you develop this wolfy sense?”
He shrugs. “I’ve matured this week at the Ancient Castle. You’d be surprised what can happen in a week.”
No truer words were ever spoken. This week changed everything — obviously for both of us.
And deep down, I know. Next year, I won’t be coming back.
Chapter 33
THORN
“I’m sorry.”
Words that will forever haunt me as I lie here in my ice cavern, echoing back how cold and lonely I am. I had her — gods, I had my mate right beneath me, lips on mine, body begging to be claimed…and she stopped me.
Why?
I sniff the black blindfold between my hands, the only thing that still smells like her even three months later. Jasmine. Cedarwood. My mate. The only proof she was ever mine, if only for a heartbeat. Finally find her, finally touch her…and she doesn’t want me.
“Alpha?”
Tala’s voice drags me out of the spiral. She enters with Bane at her side, their hands tangled together like they’ve forgotten how to let go. Mated and inseparable. It makes bile burn in my throat when I think about it too much. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy for her. But the jealous part of me only reminds me of what I had and lost.
“Yeah.” My voice is rough as I shove the blindfold back under the pillow.
“There’s…uh…” Tala hesitates, turns to Bane.
“What is it?” I snap.
“Steele,” Bane interjects for her. Now they are finishing each other’s sentences. Ugh.
“He’s calling for you in the cavern hall.” Tala sighs.
“He’s challenging,” Bane adds, blunt as ever.
I let out a humorless laugh. “Great.” What else can the gods strip from me?
I rise, muscles stiff from sitting too long in my grief, and crack my neck from side to side.
“After you couldn’t secure a mate and killed the brothers, Steele’s been riling up the mated males into an alliance since we got back,” Tala explains.
“How many?”
They share a look. Gods, this is getting old.
“How. Many?” I repeat, putting my Alpha tone into it.
