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He picked up the basin and drank straight from it, wiping his snout with the back of his paw.
“Phillipa.” It sounded all wrong again. Like he was losing his humanity. So he resorted to what would never fail him—a howl.
A sense of relief flooded him. He had the overwhelming urge to leave Broadstone Hall. Go back to nature.
But he couldn’t leave without Phillipa. She needed him. His head was so heavy. The worst case scenario marched through his brain like a marching band. Had he been drugged, so Phillipa could be easily taken from him?
Had she called his name and he didn’t answer? No. He promised to protect her. No matter where she was, he would find her.
He rose, getting a look at himself in the mirror as he ran his paw through his fur. He kept saying his beloved’s name over and over in his head, but he could no longer bring it to his lips.
Go, he thought.Run.
Maybe things would make sense that way.
Opening the door, he found Phillipa, who looked more startled than he felt.
“Wesley. Are you well? I swear I heard you howl.”
He could only answer with a growl. He took a step, but she blocked him.
“Wolven, where are you going? You’re naked.”
“Run,” he managed.
“You’re…not well. Stay here. Let me get Countess Stalworth…no, I’ll get Ainslee.”
“No.” He barked out the word, startling her. “No fae. Curse.”
She furrowed her brow. “I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Magic. Curse.”
“She did not curse you. At least, not last night. But if there’s a side effect to the magic, she would be the only one who could help you.”
Somehow, Phillipa managed to get him over to the bed. He didn’t feel any more human in her presence, but it comforted him. It gave him hope.
She sat beside him, rubbing the fur on his arm. “I wouldn’t suggest bringing Ainslee in here if I thought she would hurt you. If her magic is having an adverse effect, she might be the only one who can do anything about it. You’re not well, Wesley. You’re not yourself and it’s scaring me.”
He took Phillipa’s hand in his paw and kissed it. Her eyes shone with tears on the brink of breaking through. This woman loved him, even like this. She wasn’t swept up in the Ball, or giving him a pity fuck because he saved her from her mother.
“Thank you.” The longer she was with him, the more clearly he could think. Not that his wolven thinking wasn’t clear, but it was all instinct, with a high potential for danger. “Love you.”
“I love you too, Wolven. Now, let me get Ainslee.” She rose from the bed and kissed his muzzle before turning away.
“Phillipa.” He was so relieved the words sounded normal again. And from the look on her face when she turned around, she was too. He took a deep breath, concentrating on each word. “No matter what happens tonight, I will take care of you.”
“I know.” She nodded. “Cover yourself. Not everyone will appreciate a naked beast quite like I do.”
She shut the door behind her.
He’d barely had time to pull on his dressing shirt and breeches, muttering as he struggled with those damn buttons. If there was any reason he craved his humanity, it was to deal with the clothes.
Moments later Phillipa returned with the little fae, who fluttered around him, frowning.
“Have you felt this way after consuming fae magic before?” she asked. “Or should I say, stolen?”
“Ainslee,” Phillipa groaned.
