Page 40 of The Wolf Queen’s Curse

“You should all rest,” Rufus says. “We’ll be there in a couple of hours, and if the Caledonian Alpha wants to see you right away, it’ll be a very long night.”

“I’m fine,” Bishop says. “I’ll stay awake while everyone rests.”

Rufus shakes his head. “You’re the Alpha now, boy. We need that brain thinking as fast as it can. As your enforcer, it’s my job to watch over you. I’m well rested. I have this. Sleep.”

Rufus telling us all to sleep while he stands watch nudges my suspicions. But when both Julius and Bishop promptly relax and sleep, I know it’s safe. I still stay awake with my eyes closed, and after about thirty minutes, I peek.

Rufus is watching me … but not in the way men often watch me. I’ve had no hint of that from him, which I appreciate. No, this is a careful studying gaze that says I’m not the only one feeling both protective and suspicious.

I open one eye and say, “I’m not going to hurt him.”

“There are many ways to hurt a man.”

“True. You have my word, though, that it is what it seems to be. I’m not pretending to be with him to hide from my grandmother. I haven’t been sent by my grandmother to ingratiate myself with the werewolves. I’m not biding my time, seeing what I can get from him. If I turn out to be anything other than what I seem, then I accept that you’ll do what you need to do, as his enforcer.”

He nods slowly, but I know he’ll still be suspicious, and I’m glad of it. That’s what Bishop needs. A clever enforcer who can’t be swayed by pretty words.

“You can sleep,” he says. “Whatever my concerns might be, I’m not going to hurt you.”

“It’s not me I was worried about.”

The affront on his face is almost comical. “I’ve known them since they were boys.”

“But I don’t know you. My father ordered my mother’s murder when I was fourteen. Having once cared for, maybe even loved, a person doesn’t stop one from killing them. People will do what they think they need to do.”

“People? Or just werewolves?”

“People. Witches. Sorcerers. Half-demons. Humans. Bishop and Julius obviously trust you, but I’ll be careful until I know you better. They obviously trust me, but you’re going to be careful until you know me better. No offense intended, yes?”

He relaxes with a crooked smile. “Yes. I hope you’re what you seem to be. If you are, you’re well matched.”

I look over at Bishop’s face, calm and boyish in repose. “I hope so.”

“Sleep. You’ll need your wits about you in that place, girl.” He makes a face. “Lass?”

I laugh softly. “We’re heading to Scotland. He’ll let you get away with lass.”

“Sleep then. I’m no threat to you as long as you’re no threat to them.”

“Then I have nothing to worry about,” I say, and close my eyes.

FOURTEEN

I’ve never been to Edinburgh. My first impression is not particularly favorable as we step off the train into a cavernous wooden building that seems a poor introduction to such a vaunted city.

“It’s a temporary structure,” Julius explains. “They haven’t yet decided what they’ll do for a proper train station, so this one has been here for … quite some time.”

“Do we know who we’re looking for?” I ask.

“We do not,” Bishop murmurs. “I must presume that the Alpha—Hamish—received my message, and that he will send someone. Proper etiquette dictates that I stay in the station until I am received. Yes?”

He directs the question to Rufus, but it’s Kenric who answers. “That’s correct. Any visiting Pack wolf waits for an envoy.”

“And if no one shows up?” I ask.

“That would be an answer in itself,” Bishop says. “In such a case, as I told them, I would plan to stay at a nearby hotel. While the Caledonians wouldn’t like me leaving the train station, I believe that would be acceptable.” He looks to Kenric this time. “Yes?”

“Yes.”