ALRIK
I gave her a little grin in return as I welcomed her.
So, she asked as she threw her dufel bag over her shoulder, "What made you decide to come with me?"
My lips were pursed into a little pout.
Do I need to take the sack off of her hands? She seems at ease handling it by herself. I didn't want her to get the idea that I didn't think she was strong enough to carry items on her own.
I asked, "Can you smell what's in my dufel bag?"
I winced and asked, "Pardon?" as I knitted my eyebrows together. Her hair fell to the side as she cocked her head,
"You're giving my purse such a close look. If you were expecting lingerie, I didn't bring any.
Did she mention underwear?
My wolf let out a low growl, and I suddenly had a mental picture of Jaslynn wearing nothing but a scarlet pair of lace underwear.
Are you perspiring?
My gaze quickly shifted to Jaslynn, who was using her wand to tie a bun in her hair on top of her head while observing me with interest.
Her tone had a tinge of arrogance to it, and I managed to keep my composure even though I was burning inside with uncalled-for feelings.
"I'm fne. In actuality, the weather is extremely chilly. I told her, indicating towards her closet, "You should wrap up and hide as much skin as you can. I hope you won't worry too much about my quiet request.
What made you decide to come? she asked, raising an eyebrow and grabbing a jacket from the hook. You never responded to my enquiry.
"It is a long story," I said as I slid my hands into my pants' pockets and propped my shoulder up against the wall. I won't elaborate.
I didn't really want to tell her what had happened. Some things, particularly this, were better kept a secret.
FLASHBACK
Conrad turned to face the doorway of doom while I gave him one more glare while he was tending to his black eye.
My mother was undoubtedly waiting with a knife of some kind behind the door, ready to skin me alive.
Even though I didn't really fear my mother, there were times when it was best to avoid her. She had a shorter fuse than I did, and in the past, that had led to many mishaps. And given what we know about Reece, it's likely that she was waiting with my mother to assist in my execution.
If only Conrad would have stopped talking and let me take care of my mother.
I silently opened the door after taking the key out of the lock. My initial reaction was to stick my foot inside to test the water before going all the way in.
My father appeared to be waiting for me as he stood in the middle of the entryway with his eyebrow arched.
"Kid, it's about time you arrived. He laughed as he moved to slam the door behind me. "I thought you had run away to escape your mate," he said.
"So now you know."
I do know, he said, nodding his head. Your mother shares this opinion, but curiously, she hasn't erupted yet. She doesn't even appear upset.
I remarked as I moved towards the living room, where I could hear talking, "I think it's more concerning if she's calm."
As if nothing had happened, my mother and commander were chatting while lounging on the couch.
My mother stood up and walked over to kiss my cheeks, "Ah, Alrik, just in time for some tea. Come, have a seat."
My father kept his distance and sipped his own tea while I turned my head a little to give him a look.
"Mum, I don't want tea."
She almost had a too-sweet smile. "I believe you, honey." She thrust a cup into my hands, and I fought the temptation to scurry away. As she stirred her, Reece carefully examined me.
tea.
I chose not to drink the tea out of concern that they could have drugged it because it was starting to seem like the opening scene of a horror film. Since I was aware that this would be a difficult talk, I wouldn't rule it out if they did.
"Now, honey, I hear you've found your soul mate?" Leaning forwards eagerly, my mother inquired as if she were unaware of the plot.
Uncomfortably shifting in my seat, I nodded, "I did."
What about your mate?
The term "a witch."
A witch? she asked, raising her eyebrows. For your actions, I'm amazed she didn't transform you into a rat.
I muttered.
"Alrik Kuznetsov, please don't grunt at me. You calling her your bitch disgusts me.
Conrad didn't seem to be the only one who engaged in gossip.
The Minister concurred.
I find that hilarious, to be honest," my father chuckled into his cup. When I was a child, they stopped calling she-wolves "bitches." Only your grandfather could have taught you how to do it.
I did not want to openly acknowledge that he was correct. Unfortunately, that was one of the many lessons my grandfather had taught me.
My mother's expression softened, and I could tell that she had realised how uneducated and unprepared I was when it came to mates and she-wolves.
Why not explain what happened to Jaslynn to me?
I took a deep breath and began to repeat a succinct, short description of what had occurred.
The three of them were lost in thought by the time it was over.
Why are you unwilling to assist her once more? Reece inquired, using words for the first time since I arrived.
"It is exceedingly unlikely that either Jaslynn or Malcolm will find this book. I don't want to put our available resources or the lives of my pack warriors in danger for anything like this. I can always lend a hand to her in stopping Malcolm, but I don't see any benefit in devoting my time to the search. Even though I know she's my mate, my pack always comes first. They know I'll make wise choices, and taking part in this search isn't one of them.
My father nodded in agreement and added, "I understand his point. It's a sensible choice. We didn't raise him so that when he saw his mate, he would fall to the ground. Alma, we brought him up to be a sensible wolf who understands his priorities.
When she turned to face my father, my mother softly questioned, "If I were on that quest, what would you do?"
"I'd accompany you to make sure you don't come back with anything,"
scratch."
"Exactly."
My mother turned back to me and said, "Alrik, for
Consider yourself once as a friend rather than a leader. You should act morally if you have any concern for what may happen to Jaslynn. Despite the fact that she is more than capable, a wolf's basic instinct is to defend its partner. What's your wolf doing?
I immediately understood that ever since I had met Jaslynn, I had shut down any communication with my wolf. He instantly began growling and barking at me for ignoring him as soon as I removed the mental barrier.
Mate.
To convey his anguish, he howled loudly while shaking his fur out.
He's...not very happy, I think.
Saying, "You see?" He understands, Reece said, supporting my mother's argument. Just consider it, Alrik. The two of you will learn to trust one another and lay the groundwork for your relationship by going on this expedition with Jaslynn, in my opinion. It's the ideal setting for both of you to get to know one another.
Finito fashback
After reflecting on their thoughts for a while, I ended up here.
"All right, move forwards now. She added as she headed out the door, "We have to meet everyone downstairs.
Perhaps since I was finally considering her as my mate and not as any other lady, I was somehow far more conscious of her than I was at the Minister's home.
She strolled with confidence as though she knew she was gorgeous, picking up her loose hair strands as she went. How perceptive she was and how her nose would wrinkle when she didn't like something or someone, especially me. the way she bit her lip when she was worried or thinking deeply, and the manners she exhibited even when it wasn't necessary.
Her personality was intriguing.
To find out what else she was hiding under that confident demeanour, I would have to get it through this trip. Hopefully, it would all be worthwhile, and she would return with me to guide my pack.
Jaslynn was talking to a buddy when I walked into the room where her group was waiting. Her cheeks fluttered and she seemed agitated. I made the decision to let them finish talking so I could look around at her group of three women and two males.
Because of his firm hold on one of the women's hands, one of the men was obviously dating her, but the other male just made me feel uncomfortable.
His eyes were wandering lustfully up and down Jaslyyn's figure as he did so.
I cast a tight glare his way.
He would be the first challenge I would have to overcome in regards to Jaslynn.