AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter 15
With the blanketwrapped around my chest, I tucked one end in under my arm and stood outside the kitchen door for a fewmoments.
Don’t cry. Don’tcry.
I wiped the tear threading down my cheek. Why did Dagen bother me so much? Why the hell did I crave him as if my life depended on it? Honestly, what I needed was to get out of the Den because near shifters, I turned into a sex-starved idiot. But the focus was on helping Oryn and his pack, then heading home. Distance would allow me to clear my head and decide if my emotions were real ornot.
I pushed open the door and stepped inside, the savory aroma of the roast welcoming me. Nero was serving rabbit stew in four bowls, while Oryn lounged at the table, tearing a chunk of the bread loaf with his bare hands. They met me with smiles and warming glances. Then why did I feel their affection for me was undeserved? And yet they acted as if they heard nothing, but I was convinced theyhad.
They’d been nothing but caring and adoring, and my heart beat for them. So I shouldn’t have wallowed over Dagen or daydreamed abouthim.
“Just in time,” Nero said. “Come. You must befamished.”
Oryn tapped the chair beside him and winked at me to joinhim.
“Smells divine.” The aromatic scent engulfed me, and I crashed next to Oryn. He kissed me on thecheek.
“Dagen’s wolf has claimed you, hasn’t he?” he asked, softness in hisvoice.
“I don’t want him to claim me.” I slouched in my seat, and Nero joinedus.
He lifted my hand and pressed my knuckles to his mouth. “You will always have Oryn and me no matterwhat.”
I smiled and leaned into his chest. Nero’s fingers were feather-soft across myarm.
“You’re both incredible. After the meal, I’ll run the test on the river’swater.”
“Perfect. We might finally understand what’s going on here,” Oryn said and he offered me a piece of bread as Dagen strolled into theroom.
My pulse thumped through my veins, and I kept my gaze on my stew, though I sensed his every move, the scraping of his chair, the rough tearing of the loaf, and his slurping. Yep, talk aboutawkwardness.
We ate, and the warmth sliding into my belly left me sated and comforted. Yet I kept smelling the boar on the spit, knowing tonight we’d be eating likeroyalty.
“Don’t freak, but back home,” I said to eliminate the silence and encourage conversation, “I only eat meat once aweek.”
Oryn choked on his bread and slammed his chest, cleaning his throat. “Once a week! No wonder you’re sotiny.”
“It’s just expensive and I have free veggies and herbs in my garden. Plus, most townsfolk eat that way. The royal families have personal hunters to capture deer formeat.”
“Well, little lamb,” Nero said before wiping his lips, “you need not worry anymore. We’ll give you all the meat you canhandle.”
Oryn burst out laughing and slapped the table. “Man, are you referring to food or yoursausage?”
Nero shoved Oryn in the shoulder. “She loves my bone and can’t getenough.”
I chuckled, heat climbing up my neck. I shouldn’t have been embarrassed since I was used to Bee’s sexual jokes. Though Nero had a point. I offered him a grin and licked mylips.
“She hasn’t tried Dagen’s yet?” Oryn blurtedout.
I froze, daring to look Dagen’s way, unsure how to react. Would he growl and storm out of the room? I’d given him a hand job, but he’d never entered me fully… and the fact that Oryn knew this told me they’d heard us. Or he was simply fishing forinformation.
Dagen smirked and reached down to grab himself. “I’m packing more meat than both ofyou.”
“Ha.” Nero threw the rest of the bread at Dagen, who caught it in his other hand. “You’redreaming.”
“So it’s true,” I said. “Dudes compare sizes? I thought only girls talked about thisstuff.”
“To clarify.” Oryn lowered the plate from his mouth. “We never physicallycompare.”
