Curse of the Wolf King - Tessonja Odette Page 0,131
the two young wolves begin playing at the other side of the room, tails eagerly wagging.
Bertha comes in behind me, carrying a platter of fresh bread in one arm and an enormous bowl of stew in the other. “Let me help,” I say, taking the bread.
“Ah, thank you, my dear,” she says, and we bring the dishes to the table, which is already laden with a generous spread. Once our burdens are set down, Bertha faces me and reaches into her apron pocket. “I almost forgot! You have letters from the post.”
I take them from her, finding a few unexciting correspondences. Then at the bottom, I find an envelope sent from a familiar name—Ember Montgomery. Shortly after the curse was broken, Mrs. Coleman left Vernon, taking her daughters and stepdaughter with her. I can only assume that means her courtship with my father didn’t survive, for he still lives in town. A town that is becoming more and more populated by fae and other interesting people I’ve been dying to get to know. Still, I haven’t stopped thinking about my turquoise-haired friend, her beautiful piano playing, and her unfortunate living situation with her awful stepfamily. I begged her to write to me after she left, but this is the first letter I’ve received from her since.
My fingers buzz with anticipation, and everything in me wants to open the envelope at once—
“Where is everyone else?” Bertha asks, distracting me. “They know dinner is at six—ah, never mind. I hear them.”
Just then, the sound of paws comes slapping over the flagstones in the hall. A few seconds later, several wolves enter the room. Two work together to carry an enormous deer corpse, which I shake my head at.
With a sigh, I tuck the letters into one of my dress pockets, promising myself I’ll read Ember’s letter first thing after dinner. For now, more pressing matters await. “Blood on the marble?” I call to the wolves with the deer. “Again? I hope you’re on cleaning duty tonight.”
The two wolves take the corpse over to where Charlie and Jenny wait at the far end of the room. When the children leap for an early bite, the wolves growl for them to be patient until the others arrive. More wolves file in, and some shift into their seelie forms to join Micah at the table while the others head toward the back. Finally, bringing up the rear, is my beloved white wolf.
With a shudder, he shifts out of his unseelie form into his human body and plants his leg beneath him. A second later, his staff appears in his hand, and he props it beneath his arm. While he’s begun using his staff and prosthetic in equal measure, I think he’s still fondest of the staff. I look him over, finding him dressed in his nicest trousers, but he wears no waistcoat or jacket, and his shirt is untucked. Luckily, tonight’s dinner is the casual sort, so I don’t have to force him to go get dressed.
He crosses the room to me, circling his hand around my waist once he reaches me. I place my hand on his chest then lean in for a kiss. His lips press into mine, and I breathe in his scent, noting pine and snow and the unmistakable lingering aroma of wolf fur—a smell I’ve grown surprisingly fond of. Just as I’m about to pull away, he deepens the kiss, pressing me even closer. A buzz of excitement flutters in my chest, heating my core. I yield to him, parting my lips to feel his tongue slide against mine. Not so much that those around us would notice…but I certainly do. When we manage to separate, he gently nips my lower lip, his arm still circling my waist.
I grin up at him. “You’ve only been out running with the wolves for a few hours, but you act like it’s been days.”
“What can I say? After the beauty of the woods and sky, I come home to you and am stunned by what you do to my heart.”
I blush and lean in for another kiss. Again, it lingers far longer than it should.
“It’s time for dinner,” I mumble against his lips.
He lets out a frustrated groan. “Is it, though?”
I pull away, laughing. “Yes, Elliot, and my sister is coming too.”
“Surely, we can sneak away to the bedroom for just a second.”
My lips pull into a mischievous grin. “Trust me, when I get you alone tonight, we’re going to need far longer